International Prize For Arabic Fiction Remains Controversial

guardian.co.uk:

The International Prize for Arabic Fiction – or, as it's popularly known, the "Arabic Booker" – has attracted a wealth of controversy in its first four years. A number of prominent authors have refused to let their books be nominated for the prize, which has been accused of, among other things, being too closely allied with governmental powers, discriminating against women and rewarding novels that cater to western interests.

Read the whole story: guardian.co.uk

Comments

[Ergon]

07:49 PM on 04/06/2011

I wouldn't blame the judges or the competition itself. The fact remains that Arab despots keep such a tight rein on the artists, filmmakers and houses the culture's being stifled.