THE ROLE OF MODERN ARAB WRITERS IN INFLUENCING GLOBAL CULTURAL DISCOURSE: A STUDY OF ARABIC WORLD LITERATURE

Abstract

Modern Arab writers play a crucial role in shaping global cultural discourse through literary works that reflect Arab identity, social criticism, and cultural transformation. This study analyzes how modern Arab writers, such as Naguib Mahfouz, Tayeb Salih, and Ghassan Kanafani, present alternative narratives against the dominance of Western discourse and negotiate the position of Arab culture in the global conversation. Using a qualitative-descriptive approach through literature review and discourse analysis, this research explores the role of Arabic literature in shaping cross-cultural understanding, identity representation, and the dissemination of Arab cultural values through media and education. The findings indicate that modern Arab literature not only narrates local experiences but also addresses universal themes such as colonialism, inequality, and freedom. These literary works function as a means of resistance against cultural marginalization and as a bridge for dialogue between civilizations. Arab cultural values reflected in these works have undergone transformation through media adaptation and global educational curricula, reinforcing literature as a soft power in cultural diplomacy. Modern Arab writers contribute significantly to redefining the cultural map of the world, making it more inclusive and multi-voiced, enriching the dialogue between civilizations in the contemporary era