When Time Slows: Living Through Ramadan Beyond Fasting

Ramadan, a month of reflection, renewal, and connection, arrives when the crescent moon is sighted the night before. This divine energy sweeps through our communities, filled with anticipation and joy, despite the hardships many prepare for each year. Some of us feel a familiar nervous excitement as we anticipate family

Koorsoo: A Faint Glimmer of Hope

Global theme of the month at CreativeMornings is Koorsoo, which means hope, and Al Jalees explores the meaning from a literary lense.

Why Do Children Rebel?

We chose the topic of Rebellion this week, in connection with the book of the month, “The Anxious Generation.” We posed a reflective question to ourselves.

Living with Anxiety: Stories from Al Jalees Community

Anxiety is often spoken about in numbers, diagnoses, and headlines. This week, we chose to speak about it as a lived experience. At Al Jalees, our conversations are centered around books and culture, so this often takes us somewhere deeper. This month, we are reading The Anxious Generation by Jonathan

In Their Own Words: Voices From The Circle

We invited our members to share their reflections on their experience with Al Jalees Culture Club, and the response was deeply moving. Alongside the generous words of appreciation, we also welcome constructive criticism, because thoughtful feedback helps us grow and shape a better experience. At the heart of Al Jalees

How are you welcoming the New Year?

Authors and thinkers have been debating that the concept of New Year’s Resolution is weak when it relies on intention without structure. Let’s analyze this with Al Jalees.

Are You Really There for Your Pre-teen?

In light of the upcoming book of the month, “The Anxious Generation,” we delved into the topic of adolescence. We compiled a collection of advice, scientific insights, and personal stories to help you gain a deeper understanding of your preteen.

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11 Years of Al Jalees: 11 Lessons and Milestones

As we celebrate 11 years of Al Jalees, we look back on the lessons that changed us and the milestones that built us. From books to people, this is a story of growth, connection, and shared curiosity.

Growing Through Discomfort: Lessons from Lucien Zeigler

Growth sounds inspiring, but Lucien Zeigler reminds us it’s rarely comfortable. His talk revealed how discomfort and uncertainty drive real progress. Al Jalees breaks down his ideas through a literary lens. Written by HUMANS!

Al Jalees Turns 11: Celebrating Our Anniversary With James by Percival Everett

As we mark 11 years in the cultural scene, we chose this timeless, reimagined classic and we invite you to celebrate with us.

Book Clubs: Where Reading Fosters Connection

Discover the benefits of joining a book club, and the impact of reading groups on our community.

Diriyah Storytelling Festival: Where Heritage Speaks

The Diriyah Storytelling Festival opened with a powerful conversation led by three celebrated novelists — Omaima Al-Khamis, Rajaa Al-Sanea, and Badriya Al-Bishr — who explored how women have shaped, protected, and reimagined the nation’s narrative identity.

The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown

Brené Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection invites us to embrace authenticity and courage over perfection. Join Al Jalees as we explore how vulnerability, belonging, and self-acceptance can reshape how we live, love, and lead.

How to Stay Soft in a Hard World

CreativeMornings x Al Jalees, at The Cultural House The World Could Use More Softness The world feels hard in so many ways. Staying soft doesn’t mean being fragile, it means having the courage to live without carrying an armor. When things fall apart, let’s learn patience and let

The Power of the Previvor Mindset, by Rana Hajjar

With the power of prevention, this piece explores the mindset of the previvor, proving that strength begins not in treatment, but in the choice to know, to act, and to live with intention. Read part 2/2 of our Voices of Hope articles.

Knowing Your Genes: Understanding BRCA and the Power of Early Awareness

Through science and compassion, this piece explores the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, the stages of breast cancer, and the life-saving power of early detection—part one of Al Jalees’s October series, Voices of Hope.

Emon Shakoor on What It Takes to Blossom

In an exclusive interview following the Blossom talk on CreativeMornings Riyadh, Emon Shakoor shares with Al Jalees 'What it Takes to Blossom'. Read the full article below..

What Should I Read Next?

With so many books to choose from, finding your next read can be tricky. In this Al Jalees feature, we explore how readers pick their books and remind you that the best one is simply the story that keeps you turning the page.

Klara and the Sun Book Review

Al Jalees reviews Klara and the Sun

When Crimes Become Stories

Author and criminal analyst Mohammad Al Shaybani meets with Al Jalees to talk about storytelling, crime investigation and literature. Read the full article now!

Saudi National Day Through Different Lenses

Al Jalees Culture Club is an organization founded in 2014 that aims to connect people across Riyadh and Jeddah, and create a safe space for sharing stories As we prepare for the upcoming 95th Saudi National Day, Al Jalees Culture Club decided to explore the holiday from three different perspectives:

The Nomad Spirit, with Abdulhadi Azouz

The Nomad Spirit: Lessons from AZ Aerials at CreativeMornings Riyadh CreativeMornings Riyadh welcomed a thought-provoking speaker last Saturday: Abdulhadi Azouz, who spoke on this month’s global theme, Nomad. At Al Jalees, we view and journal these talks through a literary lens as cultural reflections, intersections of creativity, and reminders

Building Creative Communities

Building Creative Communities: A collaboration between Peter Gould’s Like-Hearted Community, Writers in Riyadh, and Huna Last Saturday, I attended an event that explored Creative Communities, co-organized by Writers in Riyadh and Peter Gould — founder of Like-Hearted — who flew in all the way from Australia to be part of this

Not All Who Advise Are Wise

Exploring the Fine Line Between Wisdom and Misguidance in the Mentoring Journey. How to Tell If Guidance Serves You.. We all seek advice. But how often do we ask if it truly serves us? This month’s CreativeMornings Riyadh session opened that very door. 1. The Problem with Well-Meaning Wisdom

Five Must Read Books This Summer!

In light of our Summer Reading Challenge, Al Jalees proudly presents five essential reads for the season — stories chosen not only for their literary intensity, but for their ability to encourage deep thought and meaningful dialogue. Al Jalees believes that reading is your ticket to a path to empathy, depth,