Akhbar Al-Adab
An Egyptian Arabic-language weekly literary magazine published by the state-run Akhbar Al Yawm publishing house.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Akhbar Al-Adab is an Egyptian Arabic-language weekly literary magazine founded in Cairo in 1993 by the writer and journalist Gamal Al-Ghitani. Its title can be translated as “Cultural News” or “Literary News.” The publication was created as a forum for Egyptian and wider Arab literary production, combining coverage of literary works with interviews and other cultural journalism. It is issued on Sundays by the Akhbar Al Yawm publishing house, the publishing organization also associated with the Al Akhbar newspaper. The magazine occupies a distinctive position within Egypt’s literary press. Rather than functioning only as a general-interest newspaper supplement, it has served as a dedicated platform for fiction, literary criticism, author interviews, and discussion of contemporary Arabic writing. Its contributors and featured writers have included Egyptian, Arab, and Palestinian literary figures. Yasser Abdel Hafez and Hassan Abdel Mawgoud are among the contributors associated with the magazine, while Palestinian author Fadwa Al Qasem published short stories in its pages. Al-Ghitani remained editor-in-chief from the magazine’s establishment until January 2011. His departure was followed by the appointment of Mustafa Abdullah, but journalists at the publication subsequently demanded a change in editorial leadership. In May 2011, Abla al-Roweiny was selected by the magazine’s journalists as editor-in-chief. In August 2013, Magdi Afifi was appointed to the position. These changes reflected the importance of editorial leadership and newsroom participation in the magazine’s institutional history. Akhbar Al-Adab also became involved in a notable Egyptian literary-censorship case. In August 2014, it published material from Ahmed Naji’s novel The Use of Life. Editor-in-chief Tarek el-Taher and Naji were later charged over allegedly indecent content. Both were acquitted on 2 January 2016. The case linked the magazine to broader debates about literary freedom, public morality, and the limits of cultural publication in Egypt. The magazine’s documented online presence is hosted through the Akhbar Al Yawm website. Publicly available reference material identifies Cairo as its headquarters and Akhbar Al Yawm as its publishing house. Detailed circulation, ownership, financial, and current editorial information is not established in the supplied sources.
History
Akhbar Al-Adab was established in Cairo in 1993 by Egyptian writer and journalist Gamal Al-Ghitani as a weekly platform for Egyptian and Arab literary production. The magazine was published by the Akhbar Al Yawm publishing house and appeared on Sundays. Its editorial scope included writing about literary works, interviews with authors, and the publication or presentation of literary material. From its foundation until January 2011, Al-Ghitani served as editor-in-chief. He was succeeded by Mustafa Abdullah, but the transition was contested within the newsroom, with journalists demanding his removal. In May 2011, Abla al-Roweiny was selected by the magazine’s journalists to lead the weekly. Magdi Afifi became editor-in-chief in August 2013. Tarek el-Taher is also identified in connection with the magazine as editor-in-chief, particularly during the legal proceedings involving the publication of Ahmed Naji’s fiction. The magazine has provided space for a range of Egyptian, Arab, and Palestinian literary voices. Contributors and published writers identified in reference material include Yasser Abdel Hafez, Hassan Abdel Mawgoud, and Palestinian author Fadwa Al Qasem, whose short stories appeared in the magazine. Its role has therefore extended beyond reviewing books to supporting literary production and cultural discussion. Akhbar Al-Adab attracted substantial public attention after publishing material from Ahmed Naji’s novel The Use of Life in August 2014. Naji and editor-in-chief Tarek el-Taher faced charges alleging that the published material was indecent. Both were acquitted on 2 January 2016. The case placed the magazine within wider Egyptian debates over censorship, literary expression, and the regulation of allegedly offensive cultural content. The publication remains associated with the Akhbar Al Yawm publishing house and has an official section on the Akhbar Al Yawm website. The supplied reference material does not establish precise circulation figures, a current editor-in-chief, ownership details beyond the publishing-house relationship, or financial data.
- 2016
Acquittal in literary-content case
[1]Ahmed Naji and editor-in-chief Tarek el-Taher were acquitted on 2 January in proceedings concerning allegedly indecent published material.
- 2014
Publication of material from The Use of Life
[1]The magazine published material from Ahmed Naji’s novel The Use of Life, which later became the subject of an indecency case.
- 2013
Magdi Afifi appointed editor-in-chief
[1]Magdi Afifi took over as editor-in-chief in August 2013.
- 2011
Editorial succession and newsroom dispute
[1]Gamal Al-Ghitani left the editor-in-chief position in January. Mustafa Abdullah succeeded him, followed by newsroom demands for a change in leadership; Abla al-Roweiny was selected by journalists in May.
- 1993
Magazine founded
[1]Gamal Al-Ghitani established Akhbar Al-Adab in Cairo as an Arabic-language weekly devoted to Egyptian and Arab literary production.
Products and positioning
A dedicated Egyptian literary weekly presenting Arabic writing, criticism, interviews, and cultural debate for readers interested in Egyptian and Arab literature.
Literary magazine · 1993
Akhbar Al-Adab weekly issue
The magazine’s core product is a weekly Arabic-language issue published on Sundays by Akhbar Al Yawm. Issues cover literary works and cultural subjects and may include criticism, interviews, fiction, short stories, and other forms of literary journalism.
Digital publishing
Akhbar Al-Adab online section
Akhbar Al-Adab has an online section hosted on the Akhbar Al Yawm website. The supplied sources confirm the official web presence but do not document its complete digital publishing format, archive depth, or publication schedule.
Controversies
2014
The Use of Life publication case
After Akhbar Al-Adab published material from Ahmed Naji’s novel The Use of Life in August 2014, Naji and editor-in-chief Tarek el-Taher were charged over allegedly indecent content. Both were acquitted on 2 January 2016. The case became associated with debates over censorship and literary freedom in Egypt.
Brand decisions
2014
Publication of Ahmed Naji fictionOtherBackground
The magazine published material from Ahmed Naji’s novel The Use of Life in August 2014.
Action taken
Akhbar Al-Adab printed the disputed literary material as part of its cultural publishing activity.
Aftermath
The publication led to indecency charges against Naji and editor-in-chief Tarek el-Taher. Both were acquitted in January 2016.
Recent events
- 2013
Magdi Afifi appointed editor-in-chief[1]
Leadership change
Magdi Afifi was appointed editor-in-chief of the weekly in August 2013.
- 2011
Abla al-Roweiny chosen as editor-in-chief[1]
Leadership change
The magazine’s journalists selected Abla al-Roweiny as editor-in-chief in May 2011, following the departure of Gamal Al-Ghitani and a subsequent editorial transition.
Sources2 sources
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