29 Apr. 24: In a poignant triumph of creativity over adversity, Basim Khandaqji, a Palestinian author imprisoned by Israel since 2004, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF). The recognition was bestowed upon his novel “A Mask, the Colour of the Sky”.
Khandaqji’s publisher, Rana Idriss of the Lebanon-based Dar al-Adab publishing house, graciously accepted the award on his behalf at a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi.
The novel intricately weaves the narrative of Nur, an archaeologist residing in a Palestinian refugee camp in Ramallah, who adopts a symbolic “mask” upon discovering a blue identity card belonging to an Israeli in the pocket of an old coat.
Hailing from Nablus, Khandaqji has been detained by Israel since the age of 21. Despite his incarceration, he pursued academic endeavors, studying political science at Al-Quds University from within the confines of prison. His academic journey culminated in a thesis on Israeli studies.
Throughout his detainment, Khandaqji has demonstrated unwavering commitment to his craft, producing several poetry collections and novels, including the award-winning “A Mask, the Colour of the Sky”.
However, his creative endeavors have not been without challenges. As recounted by his brother in a January interview, the family has faced difficulties in maintaining communication with Khandaqji, enduring a four-month period of silence. This communication blackout echoes the plight of many Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons since October 2023.
Despite the adversities, Khandaqji’s determination remained resolute. He diligently penned his award-winning work within the confines of his prison cell in 2021, allocating the early morning hours, between 5am and 7am, to his craft. Nevertheless, the creative process was fraught with obstacles, with guards frequently confiscating and destroying his written pages.
Basim Khandaqji’s literary triumph stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
