A New Book Fair Shows Syria’s Open‑Book Future

The Damascus book fair this month signaled a pivotal shift in Syria’s cultural landscape, showing that books once banned are now freely available and selling well. The event opened after Bashar al‑Assad’s regime fell, reflecting how the new government has redefined Syria’s cultural rules.

A Surge of Previously Forbidden Works

• Sayyid Qutb – The former Islamist thinker’s titles, once illegal, are now on shelves. A publisher noted a huge demand, with 150 copies of Milestones sold since opening day. Qutb’s ideas once fueled militancy in Egypt, and critics argue his works were misunderstood.

• Ibn Taymiyyah – A 700‑year‑old scholar whose ideas influence some modern Islamist groups. His fatwas were displayed, sparking debate over their contemporary relevance.

• Former al‑Qaeda memoirs – The fair sold memoirs from ex-members, including Abu Hafs al‑Mauritani, who left the group in 2001 and now asserts Islam forbids killing innocents.

Controversy and Censorship

• Abu Musab al‑Zarqawi – A book containing audio speeches by the former Iraqis al‑Qaeda leader was removed after Iraqi authorities complained it promoted hatred. The fair’s coordinator explained the decision aimed to avoid stirring international tensions.

Embracing Kurdish Culture

A major shift from the past, a Kurdish pavilion showcased poetry and a 1932 magazine, underscoring the new government’s recognition of Kurdish language as a national tongue.

Voices of Change

Veteran activist Haitham Maleh, once imprisoned for his writings, remarked that the fair signals an opening to new ideas and global thought:

“It’s a step forward,” he said, echoing the sense that Syria is moving away from censorship toward intellectual freedom.

A New Narrative

The fair’s broad range—from Islamist texts to Kurdish literature—illustrates how the new Syria is redefining what can be read, marking a hopeful change in its cultural landscape.