Hala Salah Eldin Hussein
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Hala Salah Eldin Hussein | |
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| Born | Egypt |
| Nationality | British, Egyptian |
| Other names | Hala Ali (known professionally) |
| Education | BA, Tanta University |
| Occupation | Writer, Translator, Editor, Entrepreneur, Podcast Host |
Notable work | Albawtaka Review, Dietapplements, The Visionary with Hala Ali |
Hala Salah Eldin Hussein is an Egyptian editor, translator, and writer
Early Life and Education
Hala Salah Eldin Hussein is an Egyptian editor, translator, and writer known for her commitment to making English-language literature accessible to Arabic readers. She was raised in Egypt and received a Bachelor of Arts from Tanta University. Hala's first encounter with translation was while rendering the English text of An Artist of the Floating World by British novelist Kazuo Ishiguro into Arabic, which sparked her deep interest in the field.[1]
After moving to the UK, Hala adopted the first and last name format in accordance with UK naming conventions, becoming Hala Ali.
Career
Albawtaka Review
Hala founded Albawtaka Review, an online literary journal, in April 2006. This non-profit magazine published contemporary English literature translated into Arabic. The journal's mission was to bring high-quality, contemporary English fiction to Arabic-speaking readers and provide a platform for authors from various cultures. Albawtaka Review published 43 issues, with 120 translated stories and biographies of 105 English-speaking writers.[2]
The journal was known for tackling complex themes, such as identity, culture, and political turmoil. Under Hala’s leadership, Albawtaka Review offered Arabic-speaking readers access to literature that might otherwise have been unavailable to them. The editorial approach emphasised independence of political influence, staying true to the cultural nuances of both languages.[3]
Albawtaka Publishing House and ‘Not Chick Lit’ Project
In 2010, Hala established Albawtaka Publishing House, which printed translations of contemporary English fiction into Arabic, as well as anthologies of Albawtaka Review short fiction. In her efforts to broaden accessibility to literature, she initiated the Not Chick Lit: Stories by Ordinary Women in and Beyond Turmoil project. This project aimed to provide audio versions of literature to blind communities in Egypt and Libya, targeting a historically neglected population. The project featured about 10,000 recordings of stories that explored women's struggles in modern society, touching on issues like poverty, prejudice, and corruption.[4] The audiobooks were distributed to institutions for the blind in Cairo and Libya, including the Egyptian Blind Association and universities in both countries.
Translation and Literary Influence
Hala has translated several works of English-language fiction into Arabic. Her translation style was marked by an attention to the cultural and linguistic details necessary for preserving the original author's voice and meaning. In 2010, she translated Rachel Kadish’s stories, sparking a long-standing collaboration between the two, as she worked to accurately capture the complex characters and political themes present in Kadish’s work.[5]
One such example was when Hala translated a passage from Kadish’s short story "The Argument." The translation required careful adjustments to avoid political misinterpretation, particularly around the use of the term "to preserve," which could be confused with "conservatism" in Arabic. In a blog post by Kadish titled ‘Literary Friendship Across Political Borders’ she acknowledged Hala’s attentiveness to detail and her commitment to ensuring the translation remained true to the original.[6]
Dietapplements Limited
In 2018, Hala launched her own supplement brand, Dietapplements. The brand aimed to provide pure, ethical, and clean-label supplements to consumers, with a focus on high-quality ingredients and transparency in production
In 2022, Dietapplements was awarded Best New Fitness Nutrition Product at the Natural & Organic Products Europe trade show, one of the leading events in the health and wellness industry.[7]
In the same year Hala created the Dietapplements YouTube channel. The channel focuses on topics related to health, nutrition and supplements. As of July 2025, the channel has over 8,000 subscribers.[8]
The Visionary with Hala Ali Podcast
In 2024, Hala launched The Visionary with Hala Ali, a medical and scientific podcast hosted on YouTube,[9] Spotify, and other major podcasting platforms. The podcast featured in-depth conversations with leading health professionals, exploring the latest research and innovations in science, medicine, physical health, and mental wellbeing.
Recognition
In recognition of her efforts, Hala received grants from various cultural organisations, including the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture,[10] the British Council in Cairo, and the International Fund for the Promotion of Culture. These grants supported the continuation and growth of her projects, enabling her to deliver literature to a broader audience and contribute to the global exchange of ideas.
References
- ↑ "One Minute with Hala Salah Eldin Hussein on Translating from English into Arabic". ArabLit. 15 August 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ↑ "Best of ArabLit: 20 Questions on Becoming a Literary Translator". ArabLit. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ↑ "Rules for Translators: Hala Salah Eldin Hussein (English-Arabic)". Sampsonia Way. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ↑ "Bringing International Literature to the Blind". Daily News Egypt. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ↑ "An Interview with Hala Salah Eldin Hussein". Ploughshares. 13 January 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ↑ "Literary Friendship Across Political Borders". Ploughshares. March 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ↑ "The Natural & Organic Awards Europe 2022 – The Results". Natural Products Expo Europe. 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ↑ "Dietapplements Youtube". Youtube. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ↑ "The Visionary with Hala Ali – YouTube Channel". YouTube. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ↑ "Hala Salah Eldin Hussein – Arab Culture Fund Grantee Page". Arab Culture Fund. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
External links
This article "Hala Salah Eldin Hussein" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles taken from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be accessed on Wikipedia's Draft Namespace.