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Saqi Books

@saqibooks.bsky.social

A leading independent publisher of trade and academic books on the Middle East and North Africa. Website: www.saqibooks.com Linktree: https://shorturl.at/Yc9TY

1,774 Followers  |  1,410 Following  |  125 Posts  |  Joined: 14.11.2024
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Posts by Saqi Books (@saqibooks.bsky.social)

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Kinship and Culture in This Queer Arab Family A new anthology from Saqi Books explores queer, trans and bi Arabs and their families from ten points of view.

'Queerness in these accounts is not an identification that an individual holds despite being Arab; rather, queerness for these authors is inextricable with what it means to be Arab.’

Thank you @markaz-review.bsky.social for the review! @eliasjahshan.bsky.social

themarkaz.org/kinship-and-...

20.02.2026 16:01 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

LONDON ❀️
@saqibooks.bsky.social
@weatherglassbooks.bsky.social

19.02.2026 09:30 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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So thrilled to share that we’ve been named a Small Press of the Year Regional Finalist at this years #BritishBookAwards!

Thank you to the judges for recognising our work. It’s an honour to publish the books we do, and we’re so grateful to the writers, readers and community who support us. #Nibbies

19.02.2026 17:04 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Out today: The Race Makers by Andrew S. Curran.

A bold new history of how modern ideas of race were shaped during the Enlightenment, when reason, science, and philosophy were used to categorise humanity itself.

Order NOW via link in bio πŸ”—

12.02.2026 17:03 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Archiving Gaza in the Present | Cassandra Voices A new book attempts to counter the myth of Gaza being a barren land ripe for colonisation by drawing attention to its artistic heritage. Review by Ramona Wadi.

My latest book review in Cassandra Voices: cassandravoices.com/current-affa... (@saqibooks.bsky.social)

11.02.2026 17:10 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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SO excited to announce that we've been awarded the @englishpen.bsky.social PEN Translates prize for our 2027 title, The Field!

Want to be the first to hear updates about this title β€” and the rest of our list? Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter.
Link in bio πŸ”—

09.02.2026 18:27 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Sultan's Sex Potions – Saqi Books Arabic erotic literature has a long and rich history, going back at least to the ninth century. Far from being mere titillation, eroticism and sexuality were explored with scientific rigour by scholar...

- Daniel Newman, 'The Sultan's Sex Potions: Arab Aphrodisiacs in the Middle Ages' (Saqi Books). Find out more here: πŸ‘‰ saqibooks.com/books/saqi/t...

14.01.2026 10:02 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
email : Webview : Voices from Iran

@saqibooks.bsky.social is awesome and offering a free download of Woman Life Freedom, edited by Malu Halasa
t.e2ma.net/message/8hqv...

26.01.2026 18:36 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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No Sex in the City – Saqi Books It is a truth universally acknowledged . . . Esma is a modern Muslim woman with an age-old dilemma. She is well-educated, well-travelled and has excellent taste in music, but the hunt for Mr Right lea...

Randa’s fabulous novel 'No Sex in the City' is available here:
saqibooks.com/books/saqi/n...

12.01.2026 11:28 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Three board members and board chair resign from Adelaide festival as Randa Abdel-Fattah sends legal notice Resignations follow withdrawal of more than 70 participants in Adelaide writers’ week after Palestinian Australian author disinvited

When organisations suppress Palestinian voices, we must amplify them.

Adelaide festival has cancelled author Dr Randa Abdel Fattah.

Solidarity now and always with Randa and the 70+ authors who stand with her.

www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...

12.01.2026 11:28 β€” πŸ‘ 22    πŸ” 13    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1
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ArchivingΒ GazaΒ inΒ theΒ Present:Β Art,Β Memory,Β Erasure This event is a conversation around archiving and what it means to archive during a livestreamed and unfolding genocide in Gaza.

What does it mean to archive during a livestreamed and unfolding genocide in Gaza?

How do we address the act of archiving as a productive and imaginative process that responds to destruction and erasure?

Join us on 21 January to discuss:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/archiving-...

07.01.2026 10:23 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 9    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Hello 2026! A wonderful start to the year seeing four Saqi titles on @thenewarab.bsky.social's Standout Books of 2025 list πŸ“š

You can order all four titles via the link in our bio πŸ”—

05.01.2026 16:58 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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On this World Arabic Language Day, we honour the profound legacy and living vibrancy of the Arabic language, carrying with it centuries of poetry, philosophy, science and artistic expression, shaping global culture in ways both visible and quietly enduring.

Artwork Β© Hassan Massoudy

19.12.2025 14:18 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Hala Alyan on baby loss, healing & the waiting that never ends Podcast Episode Β· The Diverse Bookshelf Β· 02/12/2025 Β· 1h 10m

A great episode of The Diverse Bookshelf with Hala Alyan:

'In this conversation, we explore how Hala writes about belonging, grief, and the complicated terrain of family and identity.'

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...

11.12.2025 12:36 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Great to see @eliasjahshan.bsky.social and @marwankaabour.bsky.social in @bookmarksbookshop.bsky.social today!

😍

10.12.2025 17:31 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Our Winter Sale is here!

Enjoy 50% off all books from 21 – 30 November.

Explore stories that inspire, challenge and delight, with proceeds supporting Taawon and The Trussell Trust.

Use code WINTER50 at checkout.

Exclusions apply.

www.saqibooks.com

21.11.2025 10:34 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Front cover of the book Archiving Gaza in the Present.

Front cover of the book Archiving Gaza in the Present.

Table of contents from the book Archiving Gaza in the Present.

Table of contents from the book Archiving Gaza in the Present.

A spread from the book Archiving Gaza in the Present.

A spread from the book Archiving Gaza in the Present.

A quote from Daniel Gorman, Director, English PEN: 'Allows us a glimpse at the devastating impact on the cultural landscape of Gaza during Israel's genocidal war, and the crucial need to do all we can to support and champion Palestinian voices.'

A quote from Daniel Gorman, Director, English PEN: 'Allows us a glimpse at the devastating impact on the cultural landscape of Gaza during Israel's genocidal war, and the crucial need to do all we can to support and champion Palestinian voices.'

We are honoured to share Archiving Gaza in the Present, edited by Dina Matar & Venetia Porter. The book reveals how conflict erases lives and memory, even as archiving, art-making and testimony endure.

Learn more or order your own copy on our website.

20.11.2025 11:02 β€” πŸ‘ 17    πŸ” 11    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ’–πŸŽ¨
Our November pick: Love is Resistance!

Featuring 77 bold art posters that blend creativity, activism & hope.
Each piece is a powerful reminder that art is resistance.

Explore the full collection & deals at
www.pbshop.store
@saqibooks.bsky.social

14.11.2025 21:03 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Book cover superimposed over a scene of a desk or table with jars, candles, a mortar and pestle and other miscellaneous items used in the brewing of potions.

Book cover superimposed over a scene of a desk or table with jars, candles, a mortar and pestle and other miscellaneous items used in the brewing of potions.

A seated man holding a book.

A seated man holding a book.

We’re delighted to share 'The Sultan’s Sex Potions: Arab Aphrodisiacs in the Middle Ages', edited and translated by Daniel L. Newman.

Discover how thirteenth-century scholars explored the connections between food, medicine and desire.

saqibooks.com/books/saqi/the-sultans-sex-potions

13.11.2025 13:48 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Family Matters: A Celebration of Queer Arab Kinship Within these stories shine moments of hope and audacious resistance. With profound beauty in surprise friendships, patient lovers, and time's gentle healing. This anthology weaves individual testimoni...

Thank you Eric Page from @scenemag.co.uk for this lovely, generous combined review of This Queer Arab Family & This Arab Is Queer 🫢

I guess I can now update my bio with β€œessential cultural curator”

www.scenemag.co.uk/family-matte...

(h/t @saqibooks.bsky.social)

11.11.2025 11:41 β€” πŸ‘ 18    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Hala Alyan Reflects on Motherhood, Exile and the Geography of Loss Palestinian-American writer and poet Hala Alyan joins Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to discuss her recent memoir, motherhood and the politics of writing during the Gaza war

Hala Alyan explores exile, motherhood and searching for home in a conversation with @newlinesmag.bsky.social. Her memoir 'I’ll Tell You When I’m Home', published by Saqi, dives into what it means to carry something when others can’t.

Listen now: newlinesmag.com/podcast/hala...

10.11.2025 16:46 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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We’re looking for a Senior Designer to lead the visual direction of our publishing house – from book covers and interiors to branding and marketing.

If you’re passionate about design and storytelling, we’d love to hear from you.

Applications close 2 February 2026.

10.11.2025 10:52 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 11    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
We're Hiring: Sales & Marketing Exec

We're Hiring: Sales & Marketing Exec

Reminder: WE'RE HIRING!

We’re looking for a Sales & Marketing Executive who shares our passion for literature and wants to help us bring our authors to readers everywhere. Applications close 7 November.

For more info, head to www.saqibooks.com/careers

31.10.2025 11:19 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Event Dates and Title over image of sky darkened by fire and smoke

Event Dates and Title over image of sky darkened by fire and smoke

Review quotes from various publications including The New Arab, Against the Current, Middle East Policy and Anti-Capitalist Musings.

Review quotes from various publications including The New Arab, Against the Current, Middle East Policy and Anti-Capitalist Musings.

Cover of a book. It features title, author name and subtitle, and an image of people walking along a road with a smoky skyline.

Cover of a book. It features title, author name and subtitle, and an image of people walking along a road with a smoky skyline.

Join Saqi author Gilbert Achcar this November for two talks on The Gaza Catastrophe:

πŸ“ SOAS London – 5 Nov | 6pm | Free
πŸ“ Blackwell’s Manchester – 19 Nov | 7pm | Β£4 / free w/ book

Details & tickets via our Linktree β†’ β€œEvents”

#GilbertAchcar #SaqiBooks #BookEvents

29.10.2025 11:40 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Saqi Books is at the Frankfurt Book Fair this week!

Find us in Hall 6.0, Stand C86 β€” celebrating independent publishing and showcasing bold new voices from across the Arab world.

#FrankfurtBookFair #FBM2025 #SaqiBooks #IndiePublishing

17.10.2025 09:23 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
An image of author Leila Aboulela with a quote from her Pen Pinter Prize acceptance speech, 'Justice is the gravity keeping us upright as humans'.

An image of author Leila Aboulela with a quote from her Pen Pinter Prize acceptance speech, 'Justice is the gravity keeping us upright as humans'.

Thrilled to see Leila Aboulela awarded the 2025 PEN Pinter Prize!

Her acceptance speech β€œThe Inaccurate Mirror” is powerful and deeply moving.

Read it here via Wasafiri:
www.wasafiri.org/content/the-...

#LeilaAboulela #PENPinterPrize #SaqiBooks

13.10.2025 10:40 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2
Savage Minds Podcast Tile Image

Savage Minds Podcast Tile Image

Saqi author Gilbert Achcar joins Savage Minds (@savageminds.substack.com.web.brid.gy) to discuss his book, The Gaza Catastrophe, a vital analysis of the ongoing crisis and its historical roots.

🎧 Listen here β†’ savageminds.substack.com/p/gilbert-ac...

#TheGazaCatastrophe #GilbertAchcar #SaqiBooks

10.10.2025 13:24 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
β€œI have been desensitised by the horror. We no longer have the luxury of shock or expectation.”

β€œI have been desensitised by the horror. We no longer have the luxury of shock or expectation.”

β€œThe inner circles of hell are reserved for those who remain neutral at a time of crisis.”

In @theobserveruk.bsky.social, @selmadabbagh.bsky.social reflects on moral courage and the cost of silence in the face of atrocity.

Read here: observer.co.uk/news/opinion...

08.10.2025 12:44 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Hamid Keshmirshekan, Contemporary Iranian Art: New Perspectives, Second Edition (New Texts Out Now) Having worked for decades on the modern and contemporary art of Iranβ€”and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA)β€”and its relationship to discursive movements and socio-political developments, I ...

www.jadaliyya.com/Details/46922

06.10.2025 10:58 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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In a new interview with Jadaliyya, art historian Hamid Keshmirshekan discusses how his book, Contemporary Iranian Art, reexamines modern and contemporary art beyond Eurocentric frameworks – centering local contexts, histories and voices.

πŸ”— Full interview via @jadaliyya.bsky.social

06.10.2025 10:55 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0