Freedom for Ahmed Naji
Worldwide Reading on May 12, 2016 from 12-1:30pm GSU Art Gallery
In February 2016, Egyptian novelist Ahmed Naji was sentenced to two years in prison. The sentence, for “violating public modesty,” stems from the publication of an excerpt from his 2014 novel Istikhdam al-Hayah (Using Life) in Akhbar al-Adab magazine. This both violates Ahmed’s right to freedom of expression and has a chilling effect on creative writing in Egypt.
On Thursday, May 12, readings in solidarity with Ahmed are being held in cities around the world, including London, Paris, Beirut, Kampala, Turin, Amsterdam, Oslo, Frankfurt, Kuwait, NYC, the Bronx, and Boston.
The Boston reading will take place from 12:00 – 1:30 at the Sherman Art Gallery on the second floor of the George Sherman Union at Boston University. Light refreshments will be served and audience members are welcome to join in the collective reading of excerpts from Ahmed’s work (provided) in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Turkish.
The reading is co-sponsored by Boston University’s Department of World Languages and Literatures, the Middle East and North Africa Studies Program, the Creative Writing Program, the Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations & Societies, and the College of Arts & Sciences Writing Program.
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