World

Palestinian Author Wins International Prize For Arabic Fiction While Imprisoned In Israel

Basim Khandaqji, a Palestinian writer imprisoned in Israel 20 years ago, won a prestigious prize for Arabic fiction on Sunday for his novel ‘A Mask, the Colour of the Sky’.

The 2024 International Prize for Arabic Fiction was announced during an event in Abu Dhabi.

Rana Idriss, owner of Dar al-Adab, the book’s publisher based in Lebanon, accepted the prize on Khandaqji’s behalf.

Khandaqji was born in Nablus, an Israeli-occupied West Bank city, in 1983, and wrote short tales until his detention in 2004 at the age of 21.

He was convicted and imprisoned on accusations related to a deadly bombing in Tel Aviv and completed his university studies from within the prison through the web.

The mask in the novel’s title refers to the blue identity card that Nur, an archaeologist living in a Ramallah refugee camp, discovers in the pocket of an ancient Israeli coat.

Khandaqji’s novel was selected from 133 pieces submitted to the competition.

The jury’s chair, Nabil Suleiman, stated, “The work dissects a complex, bitter reality of family fragmentation, displacement, genocide, and racism”.

Since his imprisonment, Khandaqji has published poetry collections such as ‘Rituals of the First Time’ and ‘The Breath of a Nocturnal Poem’.

Basim Khandaqji has previously published three novels.

Also read: Antony Blinken Supports Peace Moves In Azerbaijan, Armenia

Spriha Rai

Recent Posts

PM Modi, Leaders Pay Tribute To Former PM PV Narasimha Rao On Birth Anniversary

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao on…

10 mins ago

Gautam Adani Hails Divine Experience At Rath Yatra; Praises Odisha’s Graceful Management

Gautam Adani conveyed profound spiritual emotions after witnessing the revered Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath…

15 mins ago

Punjab’s Litchis Reach Middle East Markets In Boost To India’s Fruit Exports

In a step towards diversifying India’s horticultural exports, Punjab has successfully shipped its first consignment…

46 mins ago

Dalal Street Sees Strong Activity Of IPOs In June As Market Sentiment Improves

India’s primary market experienced a surge in activity in June 2025 as investor sentiment toward…

1 hour ago

ITC’s Non-Cigarette FMCG Business Sees ₹34,000 Crore Consumer Spend In FY25

Consumers spent over ₹34,000 crore on ITC’s non-cigarette fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) products in the…

2 hours ago

Montana Delegation Praises ‘Magical’ Experience During Study Visit To India

A ten-member delegation from the US state of Montana, comprising seven high school students and…

2 hours ago