JEDDAH, 14 October 2005 — After heading the Jeddah Literary Cultural Club for 25 years, Saudi writer Abdul Fattah Abu Madian has resigned. The board members of the club organized a ceremony to honor Abu Madian in the presence of Minister of Culture and Information Iyad Madani and Deputy Minister Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Subayel on Wednesday night.
Literary cultural clubs in the Kingdom are governmental organizations that come under the Ministry of Culture and Information.
Abu Madian said to have resigned because the ministry was planning to make drastic changes in the club’s regulations. Presidents of literary clubs in Riyadh and Dammam also quit after Abu Madian’s resignation.
A number of Saudi writers told Arab News they hope to enforce the rules that have so far been neglected. For example, limiting the presidency tenure to four years with renewal only once; and election of board members by the members of the club.
Intellectuals are, however, skeptical about any changes. They complain that the budget for cultural activities in the Kingdom is very meager thus affecting their performance.
Meanwhile, in response to the speakers who praised him at the function Wednesday night, Abu Madian said he merely performed his duty.
“We did as much as our very limited budget allowed, but we were able to develop and achieve many things,” he said, “only because we believe that work is integrity and knowledge is a mission.”
Abu Madian has always supported women’s active participation in the activities of the club. He opened a separate women’s section in the club. On behalf of women writers, literary critic and King Abdul Aziz University lecturer Dr. Lamia Baeshen said that Abu Madian pushed for women’s involvement in club’s activities and sought greater role for them.
Iyad Madani described Abu Madian as a man who dedicated his life for the promotion of culture and intellectual development. Abu Madian, he said, also pushed for greater role of women in the cultural field even before the literary clubs were established.
