Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88
Ibrahim 'passed away today, leaving behind an immortal literary and humanitarian legacy,' Culture Minister Ahmed Fouad Hanno said in a tribute, calling the writer a 'pillar of modern Arabic literature'.
Born in Cairo in 1937, Ibrahim was famed around the Arab world as a chronicler of social injustice, known for his sparse, documentary-style prose and his fierce independence.
His writings – which blurred the line between the personal and the political – captured the struggles of the Arab world in the postcolonial era, particularly those of his native Egypt.
Arguably his most famous novel, 'Zaat' (1992), tells the story of Egypt's modern history – from the overthrow of the monarchy in 1952 to the neoliberalism of the 1990s under president Hosni Mubarak – through the eyes of an ordinary, middle-class woman.
It was adapted into a prime-time television series in 2013, bringing Ibrahim's scathing portrayal of power to a new generation of Egyptians in the aftermath of the Arab Spring uprising that ousted Mubarak.
A dissident through and through, Ibrahim was first jailed for his leftist politics in 1959, under then president Gamal Abdel Nasser.
His five years in prison would form the basis for his debut 1966 novel, 'That Smell', which was initially banned.
Ibrahim's renown later saw many of his works translated into English and French.
In 2003, he refused to accept a prestigious literary prize from the Mubarak government charging that it 'oppresses our people, protects corruption and allows the Israeli ambassador to remain while Israel kills and rapes'.
The last was a reference to alleged Israeli abuses in the occupied territories during the second Palestinian intifada or uprising.
Among Ibrahim's most celebrated works are 'The Committee' (1981), a Kafkaesque allegory of bureaucracy and surveillance, and 'Stealth' (2007), a semi-autobiographical account of his childhood during World War II.
Generations of Arab writers found inspiration in his minimalist style, heavy with irony and rooted in everyday life.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
6 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Gaza civil defence says 17 killed in Israel strikes
GAZA CITY: Gaza's civil defence agency said at least 17 people were killed Thursday in Israeli strikes as the military intensified its bombardment of Gaza City. The dead included six civilians who had been waiting for humanitarian aid, said civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal. 'The Israeli occupation forces are intensifying their raids in the Zeitun area' of Gaza City, he said. The Israeli military has yet to comment. 'For the fourth consecutive day, the area has been subject to a military operation, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries,' said Bassal. Arab nations denounce Netanyahu remarks on 'Greater Israel' 'Since dawn today, we have received 28 calls from families and residents of this neighbourhood, some of whose children have been killed. 'Many people cannot leave these areas due to artillery fire,' the spokesperson added. Maram Kashko, a resident of Zeitun, said the strikes had increased over the past four days. 'My nephew, his wife and their children were killed in a bombardment,' he told AFP. An AFP videographer said their bodies were taken to Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City and buried shortly afterwards at the Sayyid Hashim cemetery. On Wednesday, the head of the Israeli military said he had approved a new plan for operations in the Gaza Strip aimed at freeing all hostages and defeating Hamas. The military intends to take control of Gaza City and neighbouring refugee camps, some of the most densely populated areas in the Palestinian territory, which has been devastated by more than 22 months of war. Over the past three days, Zeitun has been the target of repeated air strikes, according to multiple sources, including the military. Adding to the dire humanitarian situation, Gaza has been experiencing a spell of extreme heat, which is particularly difficult for displaced residents living in tents and makeshift shelters. 'The heat is unbearable. We live in a nylon tent – it's like an oven. We cannot stay inside during the day, there is no ventilation,' said Umm Khaled Abu Jazar, 40, displaced in the Al-Mawasi camp. 'My children have developed skin rashes. Even the water we drink is hot from the sun. There is nothing to cool us down. The heat only adds to our daily suffering,' the mother of five told AFP.
Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Arab nations denounce Netanyahu remarks on ‘Greater Israel'
CAIRO: Arab nations have slammed comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apparently expressing support for the idea of an expanded 'Greater Israel', calling the remarks a threat to their sovereignty at an especially tense time for the region. The term Greater Israel refers to a biblical interpretation of the nation's territory during the time of King Solomon, encompassing not only the present-day Palestinian territories of Gaza and the occupied West Bank, but also parts of modern Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Ultra-nationalist Israelis have called for these territories to be occupied. Asked on Tuesday by i24NEWS interviewer Sharon Gal if he subscribed to such a 'vision' for a Greater Israel, Netanyahu said 'absolutely', adding, 'If you ask me what I think, we're there.' He then pivoted to a comment about the founding of Israel and the 'great mission' of ensuring its continued existence. Israel steps up Gaza City bombing after Netanyahu vow to expand offensive Israel's neighbour Jordan on Wednesday condemned the prime minister's Greater Israel remarks as a 'dangerous and provocative escalation' and 'a threat to the sovereignty of states'. A spokesman for its foreign ministry went on to reject what he called Netanyahu's 'inflammatory' rhetoric and 'delusional claims'. Egypt also said on Wednesday that it had 'requested clarification on this matter', characterising it as tantamount to a 'rejection of the option of peace in the region'. Netanyahu's remarks come in the midst of a 22-month war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip that has repeatedly spilled over into the wider Middle East and provoked frequent condemnation of Israel from across the Arab world. On Thursday, Iraq's foreign ministry condemned the comments, saying they revealed Israel's 'expansionist ambitions' and were 'a clear provocation to the sovereignty of countries'. Gaza mediator Qatar also decried Netanyahu's statements calling them 'absurd' and 'inflammatory'. The allusion to an expanded Israel also comes as far-right members of Netanyahu's cabinet demand the conquest of Gaza and annexation of the West Bank, where the government recently approved a rash of new settlements considered illegal under international law. Saudi Arabia on Wednesday voiced 'its total rejection of the ideas and plans for colonisation and expansion adopted by the Israeli occupation authorities', reiterating 'the historical and legal right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state'. In February, Netanyahu in a television interview provoked an outcry from Arab countries after he suggested a Palestinian state could be established on Saudi land. In Tuesday's sit-down, the premier also revived calls to 'allow' Palestinians to leave Gaza, telling Israeli broadcaster i24NEWS that 'we are not pushing them out, but we are allowing them to leave'. Past calls to resettle Gazans outside of the war-battered territory, including from US President Donald Trump, have sparked fears of displacement among Palestinians and condemnation from the international community.
Business Recorder
9 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Hezbollah chief thanks Iran for ongoing support to face Israel
BEIRUT: Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has thanked a senior Iranian official for his country's ongoing support in confronting Israel, the Lebanese group said on Thursday. For decades, Tehran has been the main backer of the Shiite Muslim group, which emerged badly weakened from last year's war with Israel that saw its arsenal pummelled and senior commanders killed. Qassem met with Iran's Supreme National Security Council chief Ali Larijani, who arrived in Beirut on Wednesday, and thanked Iran 'for the ongoing support to Lebanon and its resistance against the Israeli enemy', the group said in a statement. He also thanked Iran for its support for Lebanon's 'unity, sovereignty and independence', and emphasised 'the brotherly relations between the Lebanese and Iranian people'. Four Israeli soldiers killed in accidental explosion in Lebanon Larijani's visit came after the Lebanese government tasked the army with drawing up a plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year. Recent statements from Iranian officials in support of Hezbollah keeping its weapons have angered Lebanese officials. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told Larijani on Wednesday that 'we reject any interference in our internal affairs,' adding that 'it is forbidden for anyone… to bear arms and to use foreign backing as leverage'. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam was equally firm, saying that 'Lebanon will not accept, in any form, any interference in its internal affairs, and expects from the Iranian side a clear and explicit commitment to respect these principles.' Larijani said that 'any decision that the Lebanese government makes in consultation with the resistance is respected by us'. 'The one who interferes in Lebanese affairs is the one who plans for you, gives you a timetable from thousands of kilometres away. We did not give you any plan,' he said. He was alluding to Washington, which put heavy pressure on Beirut to disarm Hezbollah and even presented a detailed proposal, including a timeline, for the process.
