Noted writer praises Oman's literary progress since 2011

3/6/2016 2:48:49 AM

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat-

Noted Omani writer Dr Zakariya al Muharrmi has praised the country's literary progress especially after the 2011 events.

Speaking to Muscat Daily at the 21st Muscat International Book Fair Dr Muharrmi said there has been an 'explosion' among Omani writers in the last five years.

'Before 2011 we were only writing novels and poems. We rarely saw an Omani writing on subjects like history philosophy and politics' he said. 'After 2011 there was like an explosion of talents and you could see people writing on every spectrum of knowledge. People felt they are more relieved and they can have more freedom of expression.'

Dr Muharrmi a microbiologist at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital has written eight books in Arabic on Islam history and politics. He's also a regular contributor to Omani and Gulf newspapers and websites and a member of the Omani Society for Writers and Literati.

He said that social media has allowed authors to get closer to the public. 'Anything that happens in society is discussed in social media by the most respected writers. They are actually participating in building and shaping public opinion' he said.

'Society has recognised its writers and started to respect them because they are talking to the people in their own simple language.' He said that the diversity of books at the fair reflected this progress describing censorship as minimal.

'All books which have some views against the common political opinion in Oman or religious views or cultural views have been allowed' he said. 'Oman is open. It's an open society it's a very tolerant society. And the government is ruling based on this principle.'
The fair had lectures discussions author meetings and television shows. 'It's like an open conference it's more than just being a book fair. It's also an opportunity for people to socialise.'

Despite the progress Dr Muharrmi said Omani writers still face challenges. He said that most books are published abroad and then imported. 'Culture especially at this level like poetry novel writing and philosophy is not as important for people as basic challenges are consuming their time' he said.

'And that's why the influence of writers is not that much.'

Dr Muharrmi's works include Eternal Conflict Ibadhism Tradition of the Prophet and Continuing History which is a refutation of Francis Fukuyama's famous The End of History and The Last Man.

The ten-day fair concluded on Saturday.

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