We are very proud to inform you that three of our authors are finalists to the most prestigious Arab literary prize ever:

“In praise of hatred”, by Khaled Khalifa, Syria,
“June rain”, by Jabbour Douaihy, Lebanon
“The land of Purgatory”, by Elias Farkouh, Jordan

Syrian author clashes with censors, urges liberty
Tue Jul 3, 2007
By Tom Perry
DAMASCUS (Reuters) – Author Khaled Khalifa tested the limits of freedom of expression in Syria with a novel exploring the government’s battle against Islamist militants in the 1980s. His “In Praise of Hatred”, published in Beirut, is officially banned in his own country. “They say the book is not permitted,” said the 43-year-old Syrian, smoking a cigarette as he leafed through a copy of the novel, its front cover concealed by newspaper.