Fatih Abd Al Salam
Fatih Abd Al Salam | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mosul, Iraq |
| Occupation(s) | Novelist, journalist, storyteller, writer |
| Years active | Late 1970s–present |
| Known for | Novels, short stories, literary criticism, daily column "Signature" for Al-Zaman International |
Fatih Abd Al Salam is an Iraqi novelist, journalist, storyteller, and writer originating from Mosul. He holds a doctorate in Arabic literature from the University of Mosul, where his research concentrated on “Dialogue in the Iraqi Novel.” Launching his professional journey in the late 1970s, he contributed to Al-Zaman International newspaper and later assumed the role of chief editor for its London edition. Abd Al Salam has resided in various Arab and European nations and currently authors a daily column titled “Signature” for Al-Zaman International. His prolific output encompasses both literary and political subjects, with several of his works translated into English and Spanish.
His writings
The body of Fatih Abd Al Salam's work spans intellectual essays, literary criticism, novels, and collections of short stories:
- Late Night Early Day (1982) – collection of short stories.
- Live for Birds' Memories (1986) – novel.
- Al Sheikh Newton and his cousins (1986) – short story compilation.
- Trains Rising towards the Sky – short stories addressing refugees and migrants affected by war and political turmoil.
- When the Whale's Back Warms Up (1993) – novel.
- Bulls' Milk (1999) – anthology of short stories.
- Narrative Dialogue – Its Techniques and Narrative Relationships (1999) – study in literary theory.
- Discovering a Ziggurat (2000) – literary work.
- Narrative Interpretation – Rural Character Discourse in Literature (2001).
- Thought is a Profession (2004).
- The Deranged Mind – Self-criticism between 9/11 and the Iraq War (2010).
- London Eye (2011) – collection of short stories.
- The Second Flood (2020) – novel.
These publications reveal Abd Al Salam’s engagement with themes such as cultural identity, political strife, and the human experience within both Iraqi society and the wider Arab world.
Awards
Fatih Abd Al Salam has been honored with multiple literary awards throughout Iraq and the Arab region, including the distinguished State Prize for the Novel in Iraq.
Critics' writings
In 2021, Alan Jordanian Publishers issued Drapes of Narrative: Research on the Achievement of Fateh Abd al-Salam’s Stories, edited by scholar Jaafar al-Sheikh Abboush. This volume compiles critical essays from a range of academics analyzing Abd al Salam’s literary output.