From childhood fun to cultural commentary, Dr. Hessa Al-Mufreh says comics are reshaping Arab storytelling

Sharjah, November 14, 2025

Comics have evolved in the Arab world from being a form of children’s entertainment into a tool for shaping cultural awareness and expressing collective consciousness, according to Dr Hessa Al-Mufreh, Professor of Literature and Criticism at King Saud University.

Speaking at a session titled Comic books in the Arab World: A New Step Towards Cultural Enlightenment organised by the Saudi Pavilion at the 2025 Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), Dr. Al-Mufreh said that the art form now serves as a platform for defending social issues and engaging readers through the powerful blend of words and images.