Under the generous patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, special advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and chairman of the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah), the Darah is organizing, in partnership with the Ameen Rihani Organization, a scholarly symposium on January 15, 2025, in Riyadh to mark the centennial of "Kings of the Arabs," the book by the Lebanese man of letters Ameen Rihani.

A Book That Chronicles Arab History

"Kings of the Arabs" stands as a landmark in travel writing and historical documentation of the Arab region in the early twentieth century, presenting Rihani's cultural, social and political outlook on the future of Arab societies. The book holds a distinguished literary standing for its meticulous documentation of life on the Arabian Peninsula and its critical perspectives on the challenges of its era.

A Symposium Featuring Leading Thinkers

The symposium will bring together a group of academics and thinkers from various fields to discuss the deep and varied dimensions the book contains. Its sessions will explore the intellectual and cultural impact Rihani left through his documentation of social, political and cultural life, as well as his forward-looking views that still merit study and reflection today.

A Wide-Ranging Intellectual Legacy

Ameen Rihani was a polymath, excelling across literature, philosophy, politics, sociology and travel writing. These fields combined to form a comprehensive worldview reflected in his works, earning him a unique place in the history of Arabic literature. The symposium will present a portion of his intellectual contributions, which transcend the boundaries of time and place.

Varied Events to Boost Cultural Awareness

As part of the symposium, dialogue sessions and an accompanying exhibition will be held, displaying rare excerpts from "Kings of the Arabs" alongside highlights of Ameen Rihani's achievements, reflecting the depth of his vision and the breadth of his thinking.
Through this initiative, the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives seeks to revive Arab cultural heritage and raise awareness of the region's history and culture, supporting Saudi Vision 2030's aim of highlighting Arab cultural identity and instilling its values in current and future generations.