The Armstrong of Syria: Muhammed Faris
Muhammad Faris, an exceptional and prominent figure in the history of space, is considered the second Arab person to set foot in space. He was born in the city of
June 10, 2024
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The Unconventional Work of Nizar QabbaniThe Unconventional Work of Nizar Qabbani
Nizar Qabbani is a revolutionary and iconic figure in Syrian history. Despite his controversial works, he earned the love and respect not only of Syrians, but the entire SWANA region. Challenging many traditional views and practices of Syrian society, he obtained his status by being his authentic self and writing personal, touching bodies of work that spoke to many.
Nizar Qabbani celebrated and honored women in ways Syrian society had never dared before. He once said, “If a man is the sea then a woman is the bridge”. Some of his works incorporated eroticism, and although controversial for its time, he artfully paved the way for such literary works to be recognized as both a natural and liberating concept, receiving overwhelming positivity.
Despite a lot of his work celebrating the holiness of women and his empowering writings, he also wrote many poems lusting over the female body. Such work caused a stir in a conservative society that accused him of immorality and dishonourableness. However, Nizar established himself as an icon loved by many across the Arabic-speaking world, eventually becoming internationally recognized as well.
“The Evil Poem” is one of his most controversial poems which discusses a sexual relationship between two women. It was written from the perspective of one spying on two female lovers. With a lack of awareness, education, and dialogue about gay realities, let alone rights, in Syria, a poetic literary piece discussing a lesbian sexual relationship in the 70s in Syria shattered one of the country’s strictest social norms.
