In Memoriam: Gamal al-Ghitani's Legacy in the World of Arabic Literature

Thursday, October 29

Time: 7:00pm  

Location: Faculty House,

64 Morningside Drive

Reflections by Professor Mohammad Salama from San Francisco State University with a special presentation by Dr. Nayel Shafei, Founder of the Marefa Encyclopedia Project, and selected readings by Columbia University graduate students of Arabic literature.

Professor Mohammad Salama, Dr.Nayel Shafei and others will reflect on the works of Gamal al-Ghitani in this Arabic Studies Seminar dedicated to the late writer. 

The well-known Egyptian novelist and journalist Gamal al-Ghitani, at age 70, recently passed away on the 18th of October 2015 in Cairo.  His impact on the world of Arabic literature in terms of innovative style as well as stylistic recognition of historical literary continuities is undeniable in his significant production of novels, Sufi tracts, and prose writings.  Much of his work has been widely translated, including the historical fiction novel Zayni Barakat(1974), by some of the best Arabic-English translators including the late Farouk Abdel Wahab Mustafa from the University of Chicago and Humphrey T. Davies. 

The talk will begin at 7:00 pm. If you would like to join us for dinner at 6:00 pm, please RSVP to the seminar's rapporteur Sahar Ishtiaque Ullah (su2156@columbia.edu). Please note that the cost of dinner is $25, payable by check made out to "Columbia University."

For a listing of upcoming Seminars in Arabic Studies this Fall 2015 and Spring 2016, click here.

This event is sponsored by the Arabic Studies, University Seminar .