M.-Lynx-Qualey

Arab Writers Are Stuck In A Cultural Cul-De-Sac – Dabbagh

Arab Writers Are Stuck In A Cultural Cul-De-Sac – Dabbagh

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Unlike, say South American writers such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Arab writers appear to be defined by their geography and politics

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Arab Writers at PEN: It’s Not Just About Politics

Arab Writers at PEN: It’s Not Just About Politics

M. LYNX-QUALEY: At major international writer events there seems to be an overwhelming focus on the politics of the region. Understandable but we’re neglecting a fuller picture

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Taha Hussein: Arab World’s (Nearly) Nobel Choice

Taha Hussein: Arab World’s (Nearly) Nobel Choice

M. LYNX-QUALEY: He was nominated twice but never matched the Arab World’s only Nobel literature prize recipient, Naguib Mahfouz.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

An Iraqi Icon: Fadhil Al-Azzawi Reviews His Career

An Iraqi Icon: Fadhil Al-Azzawi Reviews His Career

AMIRA ABD EL-KHALEK, CGNEWS: He is one of the Arab World’s most revered authors and recently looked back on his life of writing.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

New Venue Highlights ‘Literary Potential of Dubai’

New Venue Highlights ‘Literary Potential of Dubai’

M. LYNX-QUALEY: The opening today of a new venue in Dubai which encourages artists and authors to meet is further evidence of the growing cultural scene in the city

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

The Pros and Cons of Arab World Literary Prizes

The Pros and Cons of Arab World Literary Prizes

M. LYNX-QUALEY: There’s always bound to be heated debate about the merits of judging literature but the Arab world’s literary prizes attract particularly warm discussion.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Writing About Torture: Mechanism of Resistance

Writing About Torture: Mechanism of Resistance

MOHGA HASSIB, ARABLIT: There is a debate among writers about how to treat the subject of torture. The acclaimed Lebanese writer Elias Khoury has firm views

 Eman-Al-Nafjan

My Saudi Heroes: People Who’ve Made A Difference

My Saudi Heroes: People Who’ve Made A Difference

EMAN AL NAFJAN: They’re individuals who have inspired others with their courage, their humanity and their personal example.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

‘This Is Not A Time for Fiction’: Arab Novelists’ Crisis

‘This Is Not A Time for Fiction’: Arab Novelists’ Crisis

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Ahdaf Soueif said it first but many of her peers agree that the tumultuous events wracking the Arab world leave fiction irrelevant.

 Common Ground News Service

A Half Day in the Life of ‘the Last Arab Jew’

A Half Day in the Life of ‘the Last Arab Jew’

KHALED DIAB, CGNEWS: It’s possible to see the key struggles of the last 60 years through the prism of the life of Sasson Somekh.

 Ramzy Baroud

The Perilous Position of Syria’s Palestinian Refugees

The Perilous Position of Syria’s Palestinian Refugees

RAMZY BAROUD: There has been a flood of Palestinian refugees into Syria and they’re facing desperate times.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

The Politics Behind the Award of Literary Prizes

The Politics Behind the Award of Literary Prizes

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Whether it’s the Nobel Prize or those closer to home there’s always a bit – or more – of politics when literary prizes are awarded.

 Common Ground News Service

‘Stereotype Killer’: Muslim Men Speak About Lives

‘Stereotype Killer’: Muslim Men Speak About Lives

NADIA MOHAMMAD, CGNEWS: Everyone seems to have an opinion on who and what Muslim men are. Time to ask the men themselves

 Juan Cole

Morsi Wins: Is Now The Rise of a Pluralist Egypt?

Morsi Wins: Is Now The Rise of a Pluralist Egypt?

JUAN COLE: One problem for Mursi is mollifying the Egyptians who are terrified of him, fearing he wants to turn their fun-loving country into a grim Saudi Arabia.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Beaten But Unbowed: Syrian Author Writes On

Beaten But Unbowed: Syrian Author Writes On

M. LYNX-QUALEY: His hand was broken by thugs last week but celebrated novelist Khaled Khalifa continues his work

 Juan Cole

For Egypt in 2012, Read the United States in ’60s?

For Egypt in 2012, Read the United States in ’60s?

JUAN COLE: The Egyptian electorate seems to have a strong leaning for ‘law and order’. Very similar to the U.S electorate in the 1960s

 Tabsir

Sinan Antoon: ‘The Barbarian Who’s Keeping It Real’

Sinan Antoon: ‘The Barbarian Who’s Keeping It Real’

TABSIR: A celebrated novelist, poet and filmmaker Sinan Antoon reflects on life in Iraq before and after the fall of Saddam Hussein

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Do Books Matter in Contemporary Cairo?

Do Books Matter in Contemporary Cairo?

M. LYNX-QUALEY: It may be Cairo’s oldest book market but heritage is no protector from increasing development

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Laughter and Anger: In the Court of Al Aswany

Laughter and Anger: In the Court of Al Aswany

M. LYNX-QUALEY: He is arguably Egypt’s leading public intellectual and every week he holds public salons whose numbers have swelled hugely over the past year.

 Alexander McNabb

Edit, Delete, Context: My Five Tips for Happy Tweeting

Edit, Delete, Context: My Five Tips for Happy Tweeting

ALEXANDER MCNABB: You may note a reference or two to my novel but, hey, there’s a price to pay for free consultancy!