Where can I find information about Arab American writers?

Question

I am doing a paper on Arab American Writers and I would like to see where I can get some good extra information.

Thanks

Moby

Answer 1

Hi, I found a few resources for you, and I've included the links below.
1) The Arab American cultural institute website has a lot of great information, including several articles specifically about the topic, book lists, biographies of 10 or 12 authors, childrens book authors, and professional journals regarding Arab American writers.

2) Check out Al Jadid: A review and record of Arab culture and Arts. This site seems to have a lot of resources as well.

3) Lastly, check out the US governments international information program's website, which has some good stuff as well.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I can't give you any ideas specifically but I can tell you I just had a friend do a primary research project on Arab-American writers and, even as an Arab-American, it was nearly impossible for her to find much research and publications on Arab-American writers.

You could look in to a Norton Anthology of world literature which may have a section on Arab writers...they may even have Arab-American in a modern anthology.

Also try looking in at the library. Ask if they can help. If a public library can't, ask a college/university library in the area. You may spend a few hours looking, but it will be worth it if you're really interested.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I am an Arab-American who gets a catalogue frequently of Arab writers books, in the US or anywhere, but I can't recall its name! I think the best resource would be through the Department of Arab Studes or Middle Eastern Studies or Comparative Literature in a major university. Columbia University and NYU, both in New York City, have excellent programs, so does Georgetown in Washington DC. I would go to their website, browse the faculty, and email them. You'll be surprised how many will respond helpfully just because they are passionate about their work. My sister is one of them, but I'm not volunteering her info without her authorization. Also check out ADC.org, it might be helpful.

Answer 4

Issam Mahfouz (1939-2006): Recalling Poet, Playwright, Critic as the Authentic Modernist By Mohammed Dakroub.Lebanon and the Arab world has lost a major intellectual figure in the death of Issam Mahfouz. This creative artist made his unique and visionary contributions in different fields: first, in modern poetry, then in theater where his basic and most notable contributions lay, in literary studies, criticism, and research.” Dakroub saw Mahfouz, who is known for his books of 'dialogues,' as continuing “his dialogues and his struggle even with death itself: a stroke left him battling death for several months. The man of dialogues has now left this world, but this world will preserve Mahfouz’s rich and cultural achievements, striking down death itself, while battling it at every step.”

Tawfiq al-Basha (1924-2005): Passion for Modernizing Arab Music, by Sami Asmar. With the death of Tawfiq al-Basha, of the five Lebanese “major musicians”-- Asi Rahbani, Mansur Rahbani, Zaki Nasif, Tawfiq al-Basha, and Tawfiq Sukkar—only Mansour Rahbani remains alive. Basha and his colleagues “succeeded in creating ‘city music’ based on the folk arts of the countryside,” writes Sami Asmar. He also distinguished himself as an orchestra leader: “Basha’s best known compositions are ‘Beirut 82,’ which marked the year of the Israeli invasion of the capital city; ‘Peace Symphony,’ which marked the end of the civil war, and the ‘Prophet’s Recital’ or ‘Inshaddiyya’ from the poetry of Ahmad Showqi, which was performed at the Cairo Opera House. His spiritual compositions beautifully combined musical depth with ethereal softness,” adds Asmar.

Answer 5

Try the Al-Kaeda website

Answer 6

arab museum.