Egyptian novelist and judge Ashraf El Ashmawy shares his struggle with addressing war crimes and the marginalization of people in his works, and his feelings towards the situation in Palestine.
Written by DZWatch
Let’s pull the curtain back: Ashraf El Ashmawy, an Egyptian novelist and judge who recently won the Katara Prize for his book “The Secret Society of Citizens,” isn’t celebrating. Why? According to him, “It’s inappropriate to celebrate in Egypt, or any other country, when there’s a funeral in every home and wounded in every part of Gaza.”
In his words, “We stand with Palestine’s right to liberation and independence.” Ashmawy has an extensive background, serving as a public prosecutor, judge, and an assistant to the Minister of Transitional Justice. He also led efforts to recover Egypt’s stolen and smuggled artifacts.
Even though he’s relatively new to writing, he has 10 novels and an investigative book under his belt. Plus, his works are among the best-sellers in Egypt. Talk about hitting the ground running!
While sitting at his home in Agouza, Giza, he followed the events in Gaza moment by moment. When asked about his feelings towards the ongoing situation in Palestine, he described it as a disgrace to both Arabs and humanity at large. “As a writer, what’s happening in Gaza is a stain on humanity. As a judge, it’s nothing short of war crimes committed by Israel,” Ashmawy stated.
Let’s face it, folks. He feels helpless, unable to offer aid to the people in Gaza who have been abandoned by the global conscience. Changing your Facebook profile picture to a Palestinian flag or quoting Palestinian poets isn’t going to liberate Palestine. Actions speak louder than words.
However, the international community is also to blame. He feels burdened by the world’s inability to deliver aid and sees it as a representation of a highly absurd world. Point blank: He can’t sleep.
“The crimes happening in Gaza today are the same as those that occurred during the Nakba in 1948. The only difference is that they’re now broadcasted,” he remarked. He doesn’t see much difference between the two scenarios, stating that it’s the media that has changed, not the frequency or magnitude of the calamities.
For Ashmawy, the world has grown colder, confirming the prophecies of George Orwell in books like “1984” and “Animal Farm.” Let that sink in. The remnants of tiny arms and legs and human remains scattered in Gaza occur under the auspices of Western governments. “They are all war criminals, for they aid, abet, and embolden the criminal,” he concluded.
So there it is. Ashmawy’s take on the current socio-political landscape is a bitter pill to swallow. Yet, it’s an essential prescription for those willing to look beyond surface-level narratives. After all, change starts with awareness, and awareness starts with a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.
