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In This issue...
Jordan is a unique place for writers. It is unlike Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Arabian North African states or gulf states, where a country can encourage profound writers...
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Writing in the Middle East by Khaled Alnobani (Jordan)
Jordan is a unique place for writers. It is unlike Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Arabian North African states or gulf states, where a country can encourage profound writers, sometimes with monetary rewards and other times with national recognition. Even Somalia has potential which is not found in Jordan. (We can find Somalian politicians in the Congress of the United States).
In Jordan there is a dearth of professional writers. Why? Because writing is the work for those who have no work. Some writers are uneducated, but somehow they want to be called writers or novelists. This has happened all over in the entire history of modern Jordan. Writing is not considered a way to earn constant income.
If I seek to be a great writer, then my first publication must be in a foreign country. The magic and craft of writing is not here.
The history of writing in Jordan reflects this truth. Many have written about literature in Jordan, but few have admitted the truth I visualize here. There are few great writers (if any) because there are a lot of taboos and no freedom to talk. Sometimes mere talking leads you to prison, not because you have done something wrong but merely because you have talked.
Criticism is not accepted, especially for authorities or public figures. It is considered assassination. This is the exact word for criticizing public figures in Jordan.
Writing for literature {and sometimes academic work) are the same. Here a writer will face the same obstacles unless the writer is from the elite (ethnic) class. However, publication in a foreign country (for example Lebanon for literature and foreign magazines for academic work), or self-publishing, can override all these obstacles.
Literature here in Jordan is local unless the writer has found a venue for writing for himself. Often this must be overseas.
Occasionally politicians write and seek to be distinguished writers by sharing their individual thoughts (or memories) with the public. Theywant to show that they are the true leaders of the country.
For myself, I have written hundreds of devoted articles in Arabic in Jordanian media and the result is nothing. Nobody knows me. It is as if I have done nothing (despite the fact that the first letter of my name in Arabic is written on Google).
Finally, I can’t say there are no writers in Jordan, It’s just that the environment, politics and laws do not help to give birth to excellent writers. This is not a coincidence; this is intentional. Not only in Jordan but in much of the Arabian world, where the only writers who do appear are those who are not a threat to the local regime.
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Publishing New Writers,
April, 2026 (vol. 27, no. 4)
Publisher:
Dr. Bruce L. Cook
1407 Getzelman Drive
Elgin, IL 60123
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