11 Years of Al Jalees: 11 Lessons and Milestones

As the year draws to a close, reflection feels inevitable. We look back at what we accomplished, what challenged us, and what quietly changed us along the way. At Al Jalees, this moment carries special weight. This year marks our 11th anniversary, a milestone shaped by books, conversations, and a community built with intention and clarity. What began as a small reading circle grew into a cultural space rooted in dialogue, curiosity, and connection.

Across Riyadh and Jeddah, Al Jalees has hosted discussions, welcomed diverse voices, and created a home for readers who believe that books are not passive objects, but active forces in shaping how we think and live. We now offer a comprehensive range of cultural services to companies, institutions, and organizations.

To close this chapter and prepare for 2026, we chose to reflect on 11 lessons and milestones.

1- Growth begins at the edge of comfort. True growth rarely happens through familiarity. Reading outside our preferred genres and perspectives challenged our assumptions and expanded our emotional and intellectual range. Discomfort became a signal that learning was taking place.

2- A community of readers and writers is a powerful place to belong. Being surrounded by people who value ideas, stories, and thoughtful conversation creates a rare kind of community. Al Jalees became a space where curiosity is encouraged and reflection is shared.

3- Book-based friendships add lasting value to life. Friendships formed around books tend to deepen beyond the page. Conversations that begin with stories often grow into genuine connections rooted in shared curiosity and respect.

4- Discussing books teaches empathy and respect for difference. Reading alone builds perspective, but discussing books together builds empathy. Listening to different interpretations helped us practice inclusivity and engage with disagreement thoughtfully.

5- Shared passions create meaningful belonging. Finding people who enjoy reading and discussion as deeply as you do fosters a sense of recognition and belonging that is both rare and grounding.

6- Community sustains consistency. A reading community creates accountability. Knowing others are reading alongside you turns intention into habit and helps sustain long-term growth.

7- Book clubs sharpen thinking and collaboration. Group discussions develop critical thinking, clarity of expression, and collaborative dialogue. Collective insight consistently elevated individual understanding.

8- Over the past 11 years, Al Jalees has welcomed over 3,500 community members. Each member contributing to the richness of our community. Their presence has provided us with encouragement and motivation to continue offering these events, making it an unwavering commitment that we cannot abandon.

9- More than 700 events hosted. From intimate discussions to large-scale cultural gatherings, over 700 events shaped Al Jalees into an active literary platform.

10- Trademark recognition achieved. Securing the Al Jalees trademark marked a turning point, affirming the sustainability and identity of the community we built.

11- Over 130 speakers and authors invited. Welcoming more than 130 voices expanded the intellectual scope of our discussions and reinforced Al Jalees as a bridge between readers and creators.

Al Jalees is proof that meaningful communities are built through shared values, not just shared interests. Over eleven years, books became catalysts for growth, dialogue, and connection. Each lesson and milestone reflects a deeper truth:

growth does not happen in isolation, and reading together remains one of the most powerful ways to stay curious, connected, and human.

As we move toward 2026, we carry these lessons forward, knowing that the next chapter will be shaped by the same spirit that built the last eleven.

With gratitude,

Al Jalees Team