As a follower of the developments in the Arab cultural scene, which has been suffering from stagnation and inertia for quite some time, a recent event and development caught my attention.
Poet Zaki Ali is not just a passing name in the literary scene; he is a distinguished poetic voice who has reached international recognition through his translated works, such as Blue Blood and Nirvana, which have received acclaim and attention in global literary circles. The selection of his poetry collection Blue Blood to represent the state of California in the field of literature and participate in one of the most significant book fairs there is a testament to his creative value and the importance of his literary journey.
However, like any true intellectual or poet, Zaki Ali has not been spared from cyberattacks for expressing his personal opinion about another poet. This attack is not about literary disagreement; rather, it is an attempt to silence his voice and suppress freedom of expression—something that is entirely unacceptable.
Poets and creators are not untouchable idols immune to criticism; literature is a free space for discussion and debate. Zaki Ali, like any intellectual, has the right to express his opinion about any literary figure, whether through praise or critique. We cannot build a genuine literary culture if we punish those who dare to break from the norm or express their views honestly.
Online trolls do not defend literature; rather, they engage in a form of intellectual terrorism aimed at intimidating free voices into silence. However, in the end, they will not be able to erase the truth: real creativity does not succumb to pressure, and great poets are immortalized by their works, not by the loud noise of the masses.
If we truly believe in the importance of literature, we must defend the right of poets to express their opinions, even if we disagree with them. Literature is not about constant praise or blind flattery; it is a space for discussion, debate, and creative freedom.
What is happening to poet Zaki Ali is part of a larger battle over freedom of expression in the Arab world. The attempt to silence his opinion will not impact his creative journey; rather, it will make him more resilient in the face of distortion and misrepresentation. Writers and intellectuals must be the first to defend the right to free expression because losing this right means losing literature itself.
And because this opinion was expressed by poet Zaki Ali, given his literary and poetic stature in those circles, his statement—made during a televised interview on Iraq’s Fourth Channel—became a subject of attention, debate, and controversy among both supporters and opponents. He is credited as the poet who broke the sacred cultural taboo and stirred the stagnant waters of the cultural scene through his statements—something rarely witnessed in the Arab cultural sphere, aside from a few instances here and there.
When the freedom of opinion would be valued in Middle East ?
