The 2024 Naguib Mahfouz Prize for Literature was awarded this evening to Lebanese author, Muhammad Tarazi (b.1983), for his novel, Muted Microphone (Mīkrūfūn Kātim Ṣawt) in downtown Cairo. The prize is awarded every two years by the American University in Cairo Press on the birthday of Naguib Mahfouz (1911-2006), the celebrated author of modern Arabic literature and winner of the 1988 Nobel Prize for Literature.

 

The novel is situated in Lebanon after the 2019 Beirut Port explosion, the COVID-19 pandemic, and deteriorating economic and political conditions in the country. In his reception speech, Tarazi explained: 

        I wrote this novel while surrounded by microphones that stifled my voice and bound my tongue. My people were bankrupt, torn between graves and crammed onto migrant boats bound for death. Hospital doors were shut to the sick, while the leader's entourage stockpiled medicine and hoarded life’s other essentials. I wrote in silence, tears streaming down my face, as if I were one of the mute characters I brought to life in the novel. Perhaps it was this silence that struck a chord with the distinguished members of the committee, who chose to grant me the highest honor a writer can aspire to - "a voice."

On Monday, December 9th, I participated in a seminar at the Centre for Christian-Muslim Understanding and Partnership (Anglican/Episcopal) led by Dr. Ibrahim Negm, senior advisor to the Grand Mufti of Egypt and President of the Salam Center for Extremism Studies. In his presentation, Dr. Negm delivered an academic, yet heartfelt presentation on the challenge of Islamic extremism and the many significant efforts of the Dār al-Iftāʾ and other Egyptian institutions to combat this phenomenon. The presentation and open dialogue was well-received by many in attendance from the diplomatic and international community in Cairo.

(Dr. Ibrahim Negm and seminar attendees.)

These events have taken place against the backdrop of the rapid and shocking fall of the Assad regime in Syria, which has been met with a paradoxical blend of hope and fear from Syrians and many others in the region. Despite the profound uncertainties, our prayers are for a new beginning for that beautiful country and its people.

Matthew Anderson

Director - Center for Arab-West Understanding

Executive Editor - Dialogue Across Borders (Brill)

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December 11, 2024