Mahmoud Saeed, Prominent Author in Arab World, Dies at 89
A Life of Writing and Perseverance
Mahmoud Saeed, a powerful writer known throughout the Arab world who emigrated to Chicago in 1999, authored novels reflecting the harsh realities many people lived through mixed with poignant and heartfelt insights into their struggles, their hopes and their daily lives.
Early Life and Career
Born in 1935 in Mosul, Iraq, Mr. Saeed produced more than 20 novels and many short stories. His literary debut was in 1956 with the short story “The Ominous Gun,” published in the Al-Fata newspaper in Iraq. He published his first novel in 1963. He won several literary awards in Iraq and Egypt.
Exile and Later Life
Mr. Saeed left Iraq in 1985, emigrating to the United Arab Emirates, after being arrested and imprisoned six times. From 1963 to 2008, Iraqi authorities banned the publication of his novels. After the 1991 Gulf War, Mr. Saeed returned to Iraq only to flee again to Dubai.
Chicago Years
After moving to Chicago’s Lake View neighborhood, he became an American citizen. In 2008, Syracuse University Press published two of his short stories, “Bitter Morning” and “A Figure in Repose.” In 2010, he was one of several writers profiled in a New Yorker article about the contemporary Arab novel.
Literary Recognition
Mr. Saeed was an Arabic-language instructor and an author-in-residence at DePaul University, and he was a regular attendee at the monthly programs held by the Society of Midland Authors, of which he was a member. In 2014, the Guild Literary Complex named him one of “25 [Chicago] Writers to Watch.” In 2016, he wrote a haunting op-ed in the New York Times about the destruction of historic Mosul at the hands of the Islamic State.
Legacy
Mr. Saeed’s novels have been translated into English and published, including “Ben Barka Lane” (Simon & Schuster), “Saddam City” (Saqi Books), “The World Through the Eyes of Angels” (Syracuse University Press), and “Two Lost Souls.” His writing has been praised for its unique voice and its ability to capture the struggles and hopes of ordinary people.
Conclusion
Mahmoud Saeed’s life and work are a testament to the power of writing and the human spirit. Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles, he continued to write and share his stories with the world. His legacy will be remembered and celebrated by readers and writers around the world.
FAQs
Q: What was Mahmoud Saeed’s most famous novel?
A: His best-known and semi-autobiographical novel is “Saddam City,” which tells the story of a Baghdad teacher who is arrested and imprisoned during the reign of Saddam Hussein.
Q: What awards did Mahmoud Saeed win?
A: He won several literary awards in Iraq and Egypt, including the 2010 King Fahd Center Translation of Arabic Literature Award for his novel “The World Through the Eyes of Angels.”
Q: Where did Mahmoud Saeed live in Chicago?
A: He lived in the Lake View neighborhood of Chicago.
Q: What was Mahmoud Saeed’s occupation in Chicago?
A: He was an Arabic-language instructor and an author-in-residence at DePaul University.
Q: How many novels did Mahmoud Saeed write?
A: He wrote more than 20 novels and many short stories.
