When the 20th century began most of the present day Arab countries were not in existence as independent states. A large swath of the Arab world was still under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.

Egypt was under the influence of the British Empire.

Madbouli Press and Publishing House

al-Qabbani, Abu Khalil was a pioneer in theater and musical theater

American University of Beirut Medical Center opened in 1905          

al-Yazigi, Ibrahim (al-Yāzijī, 1847–1906) was a Lebanese philologist, poet and journalist, he translated the Bible into Arabic (it was the second Bible translation in the Arabic language with Butrus al-Bustani)

One of his most significant innovations was the creation of a greatly simplified Arab font. By reducing Arabic character forms from 300 to 60. It was a process that contributed to the creation of the Arabic typewriter.

1908

Qasim Amin (1863-1908). Arab Egyptian jurist and one of the founders of the Egyptian national movement and Cairo University, Amin is perhaps most noted as an early advocate of women's rights in Egyptian society

 

Mustafā Kāmil Pasha (August 14, 1874, Cairo, Egypt – February 10, 1908, Cairo) was an Egyptian journalist and political figure. The son of an Egyptian army officer, Mustafa Kamil was trained as a lawyer at the French law school in Cairo and the Law Faculty at the University of Toulouse in France. He began his career as an Egyptian nationalist by collaborating with the French, the Ottoman sultan, and Khedive Abbas Hilmi II.

1909

The University of Algiers, the first Algerian university was established in 1909

He promoted Sayed Darwish and his theatre, Salama Hegazy is considered the inspiration to Sayed Darwish. Iskandar Farah founded with Sheikh Salama a theater company in 1891 and made the months during which the music plays at the beginning of the Egyptian Theatre and the continued until 1905 when the Sheikh Salama wrote his own composition and music and singing of his plays until 1912. In 1914 with George Abiad help in the formation of a new group and together they play musical renaissance continued until his death, despite being paralyzed at the end of his days, however, continued to appear on stage until the end of his days. Has been credited with many forms of musical theatre and operetta music was a pilot in Egypt and had a credit in the provision of composer Sayed Darwish Midfielders technical in Cairo.

 

1918

 

The end of World War I resulted in a major transition the Arab World and the dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire marked a changed in social order that shaped the Arab world for a little over 400 years (1516-1918)

Malak Hifni Nasif (1886–1918) was an Egyptian feminist, modernist reformer and writer, protested male abuses of divorce and polygamy, demanded that women be allowed to participate in congregational worship in mosques, study in all fields, enter all occupations and professions, and be permitted to develop themselves and contribute to the welfare of the ummah. Called for reform of the Islamic personal status code Wrote under the pen name Bahithat al-Badiyyah (seeker of the desert)

1923

Sayed Darwish (1892 –1923) was an Egyptian singer and composer who was considered one of the pioneers of Egyptian popular music, he composed music to the Egyptian national anthem–Bilady, Bilady, Bilady, the words of which were adapted from a famous speech by Mustafa Kamil.

 

1924

Philip Hitti's The Syrians in America (1924)

 

1925

 

Taha Hussein published Hadith al-Arbu`a’ The Wednesday Talk (1925)

 

 

1926

Amine Rihani publishes Muluk al-Arab (Kings of the Arabs) in Arabic

 

1927

 

1928

 

Philip Hitti's The origins of the Druze people and religion: with extracts from their sacred writings (1928)

1929

 

Philip Hitti's An Arab-Syrian Gentlemen in the Period of the Crusades: Memoirs of Usamah ibn-Munqidh (1929)

 

1930

 

1931

 

Cairo Trilogy (1956–57), Palace Walk (1956) Mahfouz, Naguib

Mahfouz, Naguib The Search (1964), Mahfouz, Naguib Adrift on the Nile (1966), Mahfouz, Naguib Miramar (1967), Mahfouz, Naguib The Honeymoon (1971) Mahfouz,

Mahfouz, Naguib Love under the rain (1973), al-Karnak (1974), The Harafish (1977)

 

Shawqi, Ahmed (1868–1932) Poet and dramatist who pioneered the modern Arabic literary movement, introducing the genre of poetic epics to the Arabic literary tradition

 

Hafez Ibrahim (1872 - 1932) was called the Poet of the Nile.

 

1933

 

Abu Al Qassim Al Shabbi‎ (Abou el Kacem Chebbi) composes his very influential poem Iradat al-Hayet (La volonté de vivre, 1933). Abu Al Qassim Al Shabbi‎ (Abou el Kacem Chebbi)

Abu al-Qasim al-Shabbi (1909 - 1934), a Tunisian poet His entire poetic career was compressed in a seven-year period that occurred between age eighteen, when he began publishing his poetry, and age twenty-five, when he succumbed to heart disease.

 

The publication and performance of Tawfiq el-Hakim, Ahl el-Kahf (The People of the Cave, 1933) was a significant event in Egyptian drama.

 

1934

1935

1936

 

1937

 

Philip Hitti's History of the Arabs (1937)

Ma‘al-Mutanabbi (1937; With al-Mutanabbi); and on modern Arabic poets,

 

 

1938

 

Whisper of Madness (1938 Mahfouz, Naguib

George Antonius passed away (1891-1941) His 1938 book The Arab Awakening

Mustaqbal al-Thaqafah fi Misr (2 vols., 1938; The Future of Culture in Egypt) by Taha Husayn (sometimes spelled Hussein) (1889-1973) is considered one of Egypt's leading men of letters. Blind from early childhood, he devoted his life to intellectual freedom for the writer, critic, and scholar and to the introduction of Western learning into his country.

George Antonius (1891-1941) His 1938 book The Arab Awakening was written as Palestine was slipping from Arab control.

 

Taha Hussein

Hafiz wa-Shawqi (1933; Hafiz and Shawqi)

Hussein, Taha Al-Fitnah al-Kubra (The Great Time of Troubles), an interpretation of major political and ideological clashes. Husayn's fiction includes numerous short stories as well as novels such as

 

Ala Hamish al-Sirah (3 vols., 1933-1943; On the Margin of the Prophet's Life) and novellas with modern, often Upper Egyptian settings such as

Dua‘  al-Karawan (1934; The Appeal of the Caravan) and

 

Shajarat al-Bus (1944; The Tree of Despair). Husayn's fiction often became a vehicle to attack the Egyptian "system" that he knew. One of his most important works on

Al-Ayyam (3 vols., 1929-1955; The Days), Husayn retells in simple language his own story, from village life and childhood blindness through educational trials and maturity. The value and appeal of this work are suggested by the fact that it has been translated into at least nine languages, including Chinese, English, Hebrew, and Russian.

 

1939

 

Mockery of the Fates (1939) Mahfouz, Naguib

 

1940

 

1941

 

1942

 

1943

Um Kulthum's Ana Fi Entezarak (" I am waiting for you") (1943)

Philip Hitti's The Arabs: a short history (1943)

Badawi's A History Of Atheism In Islam (First edition 1945)

Naguib Mahfouz’s Khan El-Khalili.

 

 

Abdur Rahman Badawi's Humanism And Existentialism In Arab Thought (1947).

al-Midaq Alley (1947) Mahfouz, Naguib

 

1948

Nizār Qabbānī (1923–1998) published his poem Childhood of a Breast (1948)

 

1949

Khalil Motran (1872–1949).

 

1950

Taha Hussein's The Divine Promise "El Wa'd El Haq" 1950. Um Kulthum's Rubaiyat Al-Khayyam ("Quatrains of Omar Khayyám").......maqam rast (1950)

Baba Amin (Papa Amin) directed by Youssef Chahine

 

1951

 

Philip Hitti's History of Syria: including Lebanon and Palestine (1951).

Youssef Chahine's film Ibn al-Nil (Son of the Nile) – 1951.

 

1952

Youssef Chahine's film El Mohareg el Kebyr (The Great Clown) - 1952

 

1953

Saydat al Ketaar (Lady on the Train), and Nisaa bila Regal (Women without Men) - directed by Youssef Chahine in 1953.

al-Sakakini, Khalil (1878 - 1953).  

Ibrahim Nagi (1898-1953). Wrote al Atlal [The Ruins] which is considered by critics as one of the best 20 love poems in the history of Arabic poetry.

 

1954

 

Ahmad Amin (also spelled Ahmed Ameen) (Oct. 1, 1886 – May 30, 1954

Um Kulthum's Ya Zalemny ("You who were unjust to me).

Sira` Fi al-Wadi (Struggle in the Valley/The Blazing Sun) and Shaitan al Sahraa (The Desert Devil) -directed by Youssef Chahine  1954.

 

1955

 

al-‘Alim, Mahmud ’Amin  Egyptian Culture, ed. by M. A. Alem and Abd al-Azim Anis

Um Kulthum's Dalili Ehtar ("I am lost, 1955) and Um Kulthum's Dhikrayatun (Qessat Hobbi or the story of my love, or Memories, 1955)

 

1956

Sira` fi el-Minaa (Dark Waters, Struggle in the Port) - directed by Youssef Chahine 1956.

 

Searching for Europe, Al-Mu’assasa al-arabiyya li ‘l-dirasat, Beirut 1975.

Consciousness and False Consciousness in the Arabs’ Way of Thought Today, Dar ath-thaqafa al-gadida, Cairo 1988.

Arab Thought Between Privacy and Globalization, Dar al-mustaqbal al-arabi, STADT 1996

Mohamed Nagi (1888-1956)

 

1957

Um Kulthum's 'Awwidt 'ayni ("I accustomed my eyes") (1957).

King Saud University  1957

 

1958

Um Kulthum's Arouh li Meen or Arooh Lemeen ("Whom Should I Go To")(1958)

Salama Moussa died (1887-1958).

 

1959

 

Philip Hitti's Syria: A Short History (1959)

1960

Um Kulthum's Hobb Eih ("Which Love, 1960) and Lessa FaKer ("You Still Remember, 1960)

Um Kulthum's Howwa Sahih El-Hawa Ghallab ("Is love really stronger, 1960)

1961

Iraqi painter Faeq Hassan (1914-) painted Women in a Market (1961).

Philip Hitti's The Near East in History (1961)

Mahmud Bayram el-Tunisi (1893–1961).

Um Kulthum's Hayart Albi Ma'ak ("You Confused My Heart & Ansak Ya Salam ("Forget you? Come on!

1962

Philip Hitti's Islam and the West (1962) Um Kulthum's Hasibak lil-zaman ("I will leave you to Time")Um Kulthum's Zalamna El Hob ("We Have Sinned Against Love") (1962)

 (1962)

1963

Lightning was painted in 1963 by Fahrelnissa Zeid (1901-1991), also transliterated Fkhr el-Nissa’ Zeid.

Um Kulthum's Betfakker fi Meen (Who Are You Thinking Of? 1963)

Ahmed Lutfi el-Sayed (1872-1963) was an Egyptian intellectual, anti-colonial activist, and a former rector of Cairo University. Lutfi el-Sayed was a major advocate of Egyptian secularism and liberalism.

Nazem El Ghazali (1921- 1963) (also spelled Nadhem Al-Ghazali, Nazem Al-Ghazali) was one of the most popular singers in the history of Iraq and his songs are still heard by many in the Arab world.

First publication of Men Under the Sun (Ar. Rijal Tahta ash-Shams), 1963 a novel by Ghassan Kanafani (1936–1972).

1964

Um Kulthum's Araka asiya al-dam (I see you refusing to cry) (1964) Um Kulthum's Enta Omri  ("You Are the love of my life) and Um Kulthum's Sirat el Houb ("Tale of Love, 1964) and Less Sabr Hedod ("Patience Has Limits")......maqam sikah (1964).

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals admitted first students on 23 September, 1964

Abbas Mahmud al-Aqqad (1889 - 1964),

Badr Shakir al Sayyab (1926 - 1964) is an Iraqi and Arab poet, born in Jekor, a town south of Basra in Iraq.

1965

Um Kulthum's Amal Hayati"; Sono ("Hope of My Life") and Baeed Anak ("Away From You")(1965)

1966

Um Kulthum’s Al Atlal ("The Ruins, 1966).

Mawsim al-Hijra ila al-Shamal, 1966 (in English as Season of Migration to the North, 1969)

Abdel-Rahman al-Raf'ee (1889–1966)

1967

Coffee Corner was painted in 1967 by the Iraqi artist Faeq Hassan (1914– ).

Philip Hitti's Lebanon in History (1967).

Um Kulthum's Fat al-ma' ad ("It Is Too Late"or "the rendezvous is over, 1967)

 

1968

 

Philip Hitti's Makers of Arab History (1968). Um Kulthum's Hathehe Laylati (This is My Night, 1968).

Haidar Haidar's al-Fahd (The Cheetah, 1968) was published and later made into a movie

 

1969

 

Baghdad Café was painted in 1969 by Hafidh Al-Droubi (Iraqi, 1914-1991).

Um Kulthum's Alf Leila wa Leila (One Thousand and One Nights)-1969. Um Kulthum's Aqbal al-layl ("Night has arrived") (1969).

Al-Ard (The Land) -directed by Youssef Chahine  1969

 

1970

 

Iraqi artist Shakir Hassan al-Said (1925-2004) pained Two Figures

Mahmoud Amin el-Alim’s Culture and Revolution, Dar al-adab, Beirut 1970.

Um Kulthum’s Es'al Rouhak (Ask yourself, 1970) and Wi-darit il-ayyam (And Time Passed By, 1970)

1971

Um Kulthum's Aghadan alqak ("Shall I see you tomorrow?") Um Kulthum's El Hobb Kolloh ("All The Love, 1971)

1972

Um Kulthum's Men Agl Aynayk (For your eyes") (1972) Um Kulthum's Ya Msaharny (You that keeps me awake at night") (1972).

Tawfik Saleh's film The Dupes came out in 1972. It was based on Ghassan Kanafani's novel Men Under the Sun. Tawfik Saleh was born 1926, Alexandria, Egypt.

al-Fahd (The Leopard, 1972) directed by Nabil al-Maleh

The Tattoo (al-Washm) by Abdel Rahman Majeed al-Rubaie

1973

Iraqi artist Suad Al-Attar (1942- ) paints Portrait of a Woman

Philip Hitti's Capital cities of Arab Islam (1973)

Um Kulthum's Hakam 'alayna al-haw'a (Love has ordered us).

1973 ath-Thabit wal Mutahawwel by Adonis.

Emile Habib's The Secret Life of Sa‘id the Pessoptimist.

Haidar Haidar His novel Walimah li A'ashab al-Bahr was banned in several Arab countries, and even resulted in a belated angry reaction from the clerics of

 Az-Zaman al-Muhish (The Desolate Time, 1973.

 Um Kulthum's Leilet Hobb (a Night of Love, 1973)

1974

Fareed el Atrash 1914 – 1974.

Abdul Hameed Shoman (1890-1974)

1975

Iraqi painter Amer Al-Obaidi (1943-) painted Horses  in 1975.

Ilia Abu Madhi (1890-1975).

1976

Iraqi sculptor Khaled al-Rahhal (1926-1987) finishes in 1976 his sculptor Seated Woman

Awdet el Ebn el Dal (Return of The Prodigal Son) -directed by Yousef Chahine  1976

 

1977

 

Moustapha el-Akkad's masterpiece movie, The Message, 1977 came out

Abdul Halim Hafez (1929 – 1977).

 

1978

 

El Haj Muhammad el Anka, (1907–1978) was considered The Grand Master of Andalusian classical music and Algerian chaâbi music.

Dar Ibn Rush in Beirut published War in the Land of Egypt (Ar. al-Harb fe Barri Misr, 1978) by Yusuf al-Qa'id

The publication of al-Bahth ‘an Walid Mas‘ud (The Search for Walid Masud, 1978) by Jabra Ibrahim Jabra (1919–1994).

 

1980

 

1981

 

Ahmed Rami (August 9, 1892 - June 4, 1981) (also transliterated Ahmad Mohammed Rami)

Riyad al-Sunbati  (1906-1981)

 

1982

 

Mohammed Abed al-Jabri Critique de la Raison Arabe - 3 volumes, Beyrouth, 1982.

Mohammed Abed al-Jabri La Pensée de Ibn Khaldoun: la Assabiya et l'État. Grandes lignes d'une théorie Khaldounienne de l'histoire musulmane. Paris: Édima, 1971.

Mohammed Abed al-Jabri Pour une Vision Progressiste de nos Difficultés Intellectuelles et Éducatives. Paris: Édima, 1977.

 

Sultan al-Atrash, (1891-1982) Commonly known as Sultan Pasha al-Atrash Commander General of the Great Syrian Revolution (1925-1927).

 

1983

 

The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf was published in French in 1983 and appeared in English in 1984

 (1989)

1984

The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf was published in English.

 

1985

 

Modern Arabic literature and the West by Muḥammad Muṣṭafá Badawī, University of Oxford, 1985.

Wadaan Bonabart (Adieu Bonaparte) - directed by Youssef Chahine 1985.

Kitab el-Hisar by Adonis (1985)

Iraqi sculptor Khaled Al-Rahhal (1926-1987) executed his gypsum sculpture Portrait of a Woman in 1985.

 

198

Iraqi artist Ismael al-Sheikhly (1924) painted in 1986 Al-Badiya (The Desert).

Asi Rahbani (1923–1986) and Mansour Rahbani (1925–2009) were Lebanese composers, musicians and producers, known as the Rahbani brothers. Asi married Lebanese singer Fairuz, her artistic name, and their son Ziad Rahbani became a very successful artist in music and theatre.

1986-Jordan University of Science & Technology 

 

1987

 

Tawfiq el-Hakim or Tawfik el-Hakim (1898–1987) was a prominent Egyptian writer. el-

 

1988

 

Mikhail Naimeh (1889-1988). One of the Arab Lebanese greatest thinkers, poets, and men of letters.

 

1989

 

Katib Yasine (1929–1989) was an Algerian writer notable for his novels and plays, both in French and Algerian Arabic language, and his advocacy of the Algerian national cause.

 

1990

 

Iraqi painter Dia al-Azzawi (1939-) paints Homage to Al-Shabbi 1990

Omar Abu-Riche (April 10, 1910 – 1990) was an influential Syrian poet known for his pioneering works.

Nights of the Jackal, The Abdulatif Abdulhamid, 1990, 104 minutes 

 

1991

 

Hourani's most popular work A History of the Arab Peoples (1991)

 

Mohammed Abdel Wahab (1907–1991) was a prominent 20th century Egyptian singer and composer.

 

Yusuf Idris (1927- 1991 Egyptian playwright and novelist who broke with traditional Arabic literature by mixing colloquial dialect with conventional classical Arabic narration in the writing of realistic stories about ordinary villagers. Idrīs’ first anthology of stories, Arkhas layali (The Cheapest Nights), appeared in 1954 and was An Egyptian writer of plays, short stories, and novels. Idris originally trained to be a doctor, studying at the University of Cairo. He sought to put the foundations of a modern Egyptian theatre based on popular traditions and folklore, his main success in this quest was his most famous work, a play called "Al-Farafeer" depicting two main characters: the Master and the "Farfour" [=poor layman]. For some time he was a regular writer in the famous daily newspaper Al-Ahram. It is known that he was nominated several times to win the Nobel prize for literature. From the English edition of The Cheapest Nights: "While a medical student his work against Farouk’s regime and the British led to his imprisonment and suspension from College.

 

Yahya Haqqi (1905–1992),  a writer and novelist.

 

Farag Foda (August 20, 1945 - June 8, 1992)

 

1993

Baleegh Hamdi (1932 –1993).

Zaki Naguib Mahmoud (1905 - 1993) was an Egyptian philosopher, intellect and thinker. Considered as a leader pathfinder in modern Arabic philosophy.

The Extras, a movie by Nabil al-Maleh, 1993.

1994

Jabra Ibrahim Jabra (1919–1994).

Abdelkader Alloula (1929-1994).

Al-Mohagir (The Emigrant) - 1994-directed by Youssef Chahine

 

1995

 

Rachid Mimouni (1945 – February 12, 1995)

 

1996

Habibi, Emile (1921-1996)

 

1997

Muhammad Mahdi al-Jawahiri (circ. 1900–1997),

Sayed Mekawi (1927 – 1997) .

Dar al Hilah published Son`allah Ibrahim's novel Honor (Sharaf, 1997)

 

1998

 

Nizar Tawfiq Kabbani (21 March 1923 – 1998).

 

1999

 

Mohammed Abed al-Jabri Arab-Islamic Philosophy: A Contemporary Critique.

Abdul-Wahab al-Bayati (1926 - 1999) Iraqi poet.

The Lion of Ain-Jaloot (The Lion of Goliath's Spring or Gliath's Eye) by Hashem Watandash, 1999.

Talal Maddah (1939-2000) is a popular legend and well-known Saudi singer and musician. Constantin Zureiq (1909-2000).

 

Su`ad Mohamed Hosny (1943 –2001) was an Egyptian actress known as the "Cinderella of Egyptian cinema" and one of the most influential actresses in the artistic arena. more than 83 films between 1959 and 1991.

Abdul-Rahman Badawi (1917-2002),

Edward Wādi’ Sa‘id) (1 November 1935 – 25 September 2003).

Abdul Rahman Munif: 1933-2004

Moustapha Akkad (July 1, 1930 – November 11, 2005)

Ahmed Zaki (November 18, 1949 – March 27, 2005)

Hisham B. Sharabi. (1927 - 2005)

Mohamed al-Maghout (1934–2006),

Majid Khadduri (September 27, 1909 – January 25, 2007) was an Iraqi–born.

Mahmoud Darwish (1941 –2008).

Chahine (see Shaheen)

Shaheen, Youssef (1926 –2008). Egyptian intellectual Mustafa Mahmud [or Mahmoud] (1921–2009).

Egyptian thinker and critic Mahmoud Amin El Άlem (b. 1922). Egyptian mathematician and literary critic Άbdel-Azim Anis (b. 1923–2009).

Tunisian artist, painter, and sculptor Zoubeir Turki (b. 1924).

Iraqi scholar Hussein Άli Mahfouz (b. 1926–2009).

 

al-hafez, Amine (also transliterated Ameen): Lebanese politician Amin [or Ameen] al-Hafez (b. 1926).

Salih, al-Tayyeb Sudanese writer Tayeb Salih [or Al-Tayyib Salih] (b. 1929).

Άmmo Baba [famous nickname for Emmanuel Baba Dawud] (b. 1934–2009). Iraqi soccer player & coach

Mahmood Suleiman al-Maghribi (born 1935–2009). Libyan Ex-Prime Minister

Moroccan sociologist Άbdelkabir el-Khatibi (b. 1938).Palestinian movie maker Mustafa Abu Άli (b. 1940).Lebanese singer Salwa Katrib [or Qatrib] (b. 1949).

Sadiq Jalal Al-Azm (born in Damascus, Syria, in 1934

Critique of Religious Thought (Naqd al-Fikr al-Dini, Beirut, 1970).

Bibliography

 

al-Azm, Sadiq Jalal

Barakat, Halim. The Arab World: Society, Culture and State. Berkeley: Univ. of California Press, 1993.

Barakat, Huda

Cachia, Pierre. “The Critics.” The Cambridge History of Arabic Literature: Modern Arabic Literature. Ed. M. M. Badawi. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1992. 417-42.

Cleveland, William L. A History of the Modern Middle East. Westview Press, Boulder, CO. 1994

Ginsberg, Terri and Lippard, Chris. Historical dictionary of Middle Eastern cinema.

Hussein, Taha

Kabbani (see Qabbani)

Qabbai, Nizar

 

Reid, Donald M. “The Syrian Christians and Early Socialism in the Arab World.”

Saleh (see Salih)

Salih, al-Tayyeb

 Sa‘id,

Said (see Sa‘id)

Salih (s