Notable Contemporary Arab Writers
Some writers stand out from the crowd due to their exceptional talent in literature and writing. Among the most renowned contemporary Arab authors are the following:
Taha Hussein
Taha Hussein is regarded as one of the finest and most celebrated Arab writers, with his autobiographical works and books translated into multiple languages and published in several countries.
- Date of Birth: Taha Hussein was born on November 14, 1889, in the Egyptian city of Maghagha. He earned the title “Dean of Arabic Literature” and is recognized as a leading figure in the literary movement.
- Education: Hussein studied at Al-Azhar Mosque and later joined the National University, where he received his doctorate in 1914. He then traveled to France on a scholarship, eventually returning to Egypt where he worked as a history professor, then as a professor of Arabic, became the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and eventually served as the director of Alexandria University before holding the position of Minister of Education.
- Notable Works: Some of his significant works include “On the Margins of Biography,” “The Days,” “In Pre-Islamic Poetry,” “In Pre-Islamic Literature,” and “The Prayer of the Nightingale.”
- Death: He passed away in 1973 at the age of 84.
Naguib Mahfouz
Naguib Mahfouz is considered one of the top Arab writers, with his literary works still in circulation and reprinted around the globe. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature and began his writing career in the 1930s, continuing until 2004.
- Date of Birth: He was born in 1911 in the Al-Jamaleya neighborhood of Cairo.
- Name Origin: Naguib was given a compound name in honor of the renowned doctor “Naguib Pasha Mahfouz,” who oversaw his difficult birth—an expression of gratitude from his father, Abdel Aziz Ibrahim.
- Notable Works: His famous writings include the historical trilogy (“The Thief and the Dogs,” “Radoubiya,” and “The Beggar”), “The Mirage,” “Tales of Our Neighborhood,” and “Morning and Evening Conversations.”
- Death: He passed away in 2006, at the age of 94.
Izz al-Din al-Shukri Fashir
An Egyptian writer and visiting professor in the Political Science Department at the American University, Izz al-Din al-Shukri Fashir is known for his open-ended narratives, often posing questions in his writings without seeking to answer them.
- Date of Birth: He was born on October 22, 1966, in Kuwait.
- Notable Works: Some of his prominent books include “Embrace at Brooklyn Bridge,” “Abu Omar Al-Masri,” “Intensive Care Unit,” “Travel of the Pharaohs,” and “The Assassination of Fakhr al-Din.”
- Awards: His acclaimed novel “At Brooklyn Bridge” was nominated for the Booker Prize in 2012.
Ahmed Khaled Tawfik
Ahmed Khaled Tawfik is among the most popular and prominent Arab writers, particularly among the youth demographic. He gained recognition for his contributions to the horror genre, earning the nickname “The Sorcerer.”
- Date of Birth: He was born in June 1962 and was both a physician and writer. Tawfik began his career with the “Ma Wara Al-Tabi’a” series—a horror genre that was not widely embraced at the time—achieving remarkable success and popularity among young readers.
- Notable Works: He authored the “Fantasia” series, followed by the “Safari” series, as well as the “WW” series. One of his most famous and well-received novels is “Utopia,” which has been translated into several languages and republished multiple times over the years.
- Death: He passed away on April 2, 2018, due to health complications, at the age of 55.
Tawfik al-Hakim
Tawfik al-Hakim is a distinguished Egyptian writer, hailed as one of the finest Arab authors and considered a pioneer in playwriting.
- Date of Birth: He was born in 1898 in Alexandria, Egypt. His father sent him to study law in France to steer him away from drama; however, he spent three years there immersing himself in theatrical arts and discovering that European theatre was rooted in Greek art.
- Theatrical Movement: His theatrical style is referred to as “Intellectual Theatre,” acknowledging its complexity and the challenge of portraying it in performance, a reality he came to recognize.
- Death: Al-Hakim passed away in 1987 at the age of 88, leaving behind a rich literary legacy.