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Georgetown University in Qatar to Host an Art Conference on Sudan

Moatinoon
Georgetown University in Qatar announced the "Seeing Sudan: Politics Through Art" conference as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations.

In its invitation to the conference, which will run from September 18 to 20, the university stated, "In Sudan, a poorly covered war has torn apart lives, crippled institutions, and forced more than thirteen million people from their homes, leaving behind a humanitarian crisis that is devastating the present and threatening the past and future. At this pivotal moment, Georgetown University in Qatar invites the public to attend "Seeing Sudan: Politics Through Art," a historic three-day conference that promises not only to inform the world but also to change how it views Sudan.

"At a time when Sudans crisis is in danger of disappearing, this conference highlights Sudanese voices and the transformative role of culture in fostering resilience and hope," said Safwan M. Almasri, dean of Georgetown University in Qatar.

He added, "Fifty of the most prominent scholars, artists, and activists speaking at the conference will demonstrate how art plays a role." Politics by other means, where memory is its medium, imagination is its arena, and survival is its goal.

The conference, "Seeing Sudan: Politics Through Art," will bring together a historic gathering of academics, artists, and activists to examine the relationship between social and political dynamics and cultural production. The conference, the tenth in Georgetown University in Qatars prestigious "Dialogues" series, offers critical insights into Sudanese creativity and its resilience in the face of violence and displacement.

The main program will feature a panel discussion titled "Eyes on Sudan," featuring Zeinab Badawi, legendary broadcaster, head of the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, and author of the best-selling book *A History of Africa* (2024).

Also participating will be Khalid Albaih, the internationally acclaimed Sudanese political cartoonist and 2025 GU-Q Artist-in-Residence; Nisreen Malik, an award-winning journalist and author whose writings have reshaped global notions of politics and identity; and Rashed Diab, one of Sudans most influential contemporary artists. Under the direction of Dr. Al-Masry.

On the sidelines of the conference, attendees will enjoy live music by Sarah from the band "Sarah and Nuba Tunes" and musician and composer Hoda Asfour. They will also attend a special art exhibition and book launch for "Sudan is Narrated" at the Al-Hosh Gallery. They will also engage in rich discussions about art, cinema, music, and life in Sudan and the diaspora. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with Sudans cultural pulse amidst the crisis.

As Georgetown University in Qatar celebrates its 20th anniversary, the "Seeing Sudan" exhibition embodies its goal of fostering bold scholarship and dialogue that connects cultures, honors diverse histories, and addresses the worlds most pressing challenges.