Doha: The 35th Doha International Book Fair's cultural salon recently hosted a panel discussion focusing on the evolution of social thinking in the Gulf region, examining its intellectual and systematic paths over the past decades. The panel, presented by social sciences researcher Abdulrahman Al Marri and moderated by writer Mohammed Youssef Al Araki, delved into the development of social thought in the Gulf and its associated challenges.

According to Qatar News Agency, Al Marri traced the roots of social writing in the Gulf to the journalistic pieces and magazines from the 1920s. These early works attempted to interpret the transformations occurring in the rapidly modernizing Gulf societies. With the rise of modern nations and the independence of Gulf countries, writings began to focus on the formation of cities and modern societies like Doha, Kuwait City, and Manama, preceding the advent of academic studies focused on social issues.

Al Marri identified a third development phase in the 1980s, characterized by critical scholarship exploring the concept of society and its changes. He noted that these developments employed a range of tools, including press op-eds, academic studies, and thoughtful authorships, to understand Gulf societies.

Al Marri pointed out that these intellectual paths faced systematic challenges, such as treating society as an abstract concept or relying on theoretical frameworks detached from actual social realities. He highlighted the importance of understanding Gulf societies within their cultural and historical contexts and their reciprocal relationships with the broader regional periphery.

Addressing the key challenges confronting social thinking in the Gulf, Al Marri categorized them into theoretical, practical, and institutional challenges. He emphasized the need for specialized scholarly groups to advance social studies and broaden their scope. He also called for increased institutional support and funding for social sciences programs, alongside the development of clear academic visions to guide research priorities and postgraduate topics.