Under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Middle East Research and Future Studies Center, and with the generous hosting of Prof. Hanan Metwally, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and within the framework of the Center’s 2024-2025 cultural season headed by Dr. Hatem El-Abd, the Center, in cooperation with the Faculty of Arts, organized a new symposium from the “Writer and Book” series of symposia that the Center began last year. The symposium aims to introduce university youth to the most important writers, authors, and thinkers and to learn about their works and literary experiences.

The symposium hosted the renowned author and novelist Amr El-Adly, along with his brother, the distinguished philosopher Emad El-Adly. The event was held at the Faculty of Arts, attended by Prof. Mohamed Ibrahim, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs; Prof. Hatem Rabie, Vice Dean for Graduate Studies and Research; and Prof. Hanan Salem, Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development. The symposium was moderated by Dr. Hatem El-Abd.

The symposium was opened by Dr. Hanan Salem, who welcomed the distinguished attendees and praised the efforts of the Middle East Research Center and its keenness to raise the level of cultural awareness by hosting two of the most important intellectual and literary figures of our time to learn about their experiences and benefit from their expertise. Her Excellency also stressed the importance of the university’s role in raising young people in a correct and conscious manner, and ensuring knowledge of their language and ideas in order to successfully communicate with them and be able to confront the fourth and fifth generation wars that aim to undermine them.

Following this, Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim delivered a speech expressing his profound gratitude to the distinguished guests and Dr. Hatem El-Abd for providing the students with an opportunity to engage in dialogue with two prominent figures in literature and thought. He emphasized the Faculty of Arts' continuous commitment to supporting institutions that nurture university students, instill high moral values, and empower them to face contemporary challenges.

Dr. Hatem El-Abd, who moderated the symposium, expressed his deep appreciation to Prof. Hanan Kamel, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and the faculty administration for their ongoing support of the Middle East Research Center.

Dr. El-Abd also commended the rich intellectual legacy and cultural contributions of the El-Adly brothers, who are among the most prominent figures in thought and literature across the Arab world.

Next, philosopher Emad El-Adly took the floor, where he pointed out that philosophical thought faces many challenges. Among the most significant of these challenges are the complex style maintained by many philosophers, as well as the historical context and inherited misconceptions that associate philosophy with atheism. In reality, he explained, philosophy teaches people how to think, reflect, and contemplate the truths and realities around them.

He continued that the philosophy also teaches individuals how to live their lives with minimal pain and helps them accept others with their different ideas and beliefs, fostering peace among people. This is why the great thinker and writer Emad El-Adly is dedicated to spreading philosophical thought through a new perspective and modern ideas that align with the language and tools of this era. He does so through a monthly cultural salon named "The Philosophical Portico," which travels across Egypt, lighting the lamp of knowledge and opening the doors to the wings of thought and literature.

The renowned writer and novelist Amr El-Adly shared that he has been passionate about literature and art in all its forms since childhood. He developed a particular interest in the art of novel writing, and even had his first play staged at the age of eighteen. He was deeply influenced in his writings by the great writer Youssef Idris, admiring his style and mastery of language, as well as his excellent use of words.

He emphasized that he faced many challenges during his journey of self-discovery and went through various stages and changes. However, he stated that the most important challenge a person must face is holding on to their dream, striving diligently to acquire the necessary tools to achieve it, and having confidence in oneself and in the ability to succeed in reaching one's goal in the end.

At the end of the symposium, the Adly brothers recommended to the youth the necessity of contemplating and pondering all the ideas presented, and then accepting them consciously and rationally, or rebelling against them wisely and rationally, and striving relentlessly to achieve success, without being bound by the obsessions of the past, or clinging to distant future hopes, while holding on to the moment we live in, so that we live it in the best possible way. The discussion was also opened to the attendees and all their inquiries were answered by the two great guests, then Dr. Hatem Al-Abd presented certificates of appreciation to the Adly brothers, expressing his sincere thanks and gratitude to them for sharing their rich and inspiring experiences and expertise with us.