Who read the last issue?

There is a tradition in some cultural magazines to have a section called "I read the last issue". The section is normally written by a critic who will read and comment on the last issue, entering into a debate about the different topics covered.
The section may be split into several comments by different personalities. The aim is to create interest in the issues dealt with by the magazine and to generate a climate of debate in the hope of finding new ideas and stimulating the reader. "Letters" or "letters to the editor" in many magazines and newspapers can also do this.
The person who read the last issue was not commissioned to do so, but he is a well known academic and cultural personality. A few weeks ago I heard criticism from Dr. Mohammad Makiyah, one of the best architects in the Arab world. He was keen to discuss the editorial of the last issue about organizing the Hajj and other similar religious activities, where huge crowds gather to perform their religious duties. He thinks, as an architect, that this is not an unsolvable case and he drew a few sketches in support of his proposals. I was really fascinated by this man of eighty-eight years with over half a century of experience. He was angry about rash solutions to such problems and the disregard for the social and religious environment. He showed how Islamic architecture could preserve the sanctity of the place, its historical value and its natural beauty.
Dr Makiyah then presented his views on tourism and its dangers to the Islamic city. He warned Islamic Tourism Magazine against becoming a brochure and wanted it to provide a critical, balanced voice about developments in the tourist industry. He went through some of its content as well as its visual aspects and pointed out the new restorations and developments in some places in the Arab and Islamic world, especially historical and religious places and warned against cheap practices or kitsch. He demanded quality from the magazine and from the places it writes about.
I am really grateful for Dr Makiyah for drawing our attention to these issues and I welcome any constructive criticism.
Finally, last month has seen the production of the first Palestinian magazine on tourism. "Pillars". It is a very good quality magazine which will most certainly benefit tourism in Palestine. I wish it every success.

Dr. Abdul-Rahim Hassan
Editor-in-Chief