Muhydin Lazikani

Dr. Muhydin Lazikani is a poet, thinker and critic. He was born in Sarmada, Syria in 1951; he obtained an MA and PhD in Arabic literature from the University of Aleppo and the University of Alexandria. He has worked as a journalist, columnist and TV presenter in several daily newspapers, magazines and satellite channels. His column Tawaheen Al-Kalam is regarded as being one of the leading columns in modern Arab journalism, winning the Best Arabic Column Award (1995). His two television programmes, Lanterns in the Dark and A Date with the Future are considered to be among the best of political and intellectual talk shows in Arabic media.

In addition to his career in media, he has worked as a visiting lecturer in several universities and has published many poetry collection, plays and volumes of literary criticism. His book:The Fathers of Arabic Modernism started a new trend in assessing Arabic modernism. He is also well known for his controversial studies in the literature of the secret movements in Islam, especially that of the Karmati Movement. His interest in reviving Arabic heritage, led him to establish in the British capital and the International Centre for Arabic Manuscripts (ICAM) to save many Arabic manuscripts before they are destroyed.

He has participated in numerous media and culture based conferences and his work has been translated into several languages. He has lived in exile in many countries since 1976, and settled in London in 1979.

BA with distinction in Arabic Literature. Aleppo University, Syria. 1974.

MA with honours in Literature of the Karmuti movement. Alexandria University, Egypt. 1984

PhD with honours in images and imagery in modern Arabic poetry. Alexandria University, Egypt. 1989.

· 1973-1975: Feature editor at Al-Asboo’ al-Arabi (Arabian Weekly). Beirut, Lebanon.

· 1975-1977: Political editor at Al-Wahda (Unity) newspaper. Abu-Dhabi. UAE

· 1977-1978: Managing editor of Azaffra Weekly magazine. Abu-Dhabi, UAE.

· 1978-1980: Managing editor of Al-Azmina al-Arabiya. Sharjah, UAE.

· 1980-1982: Managing editor of the Arabian Times magazine. London, UK.

· 1982-1983: Managing editor of Awraak cultural magazine. London, UK.

· 1983-1984: Foreign correspondent based in London for Annashra weekly magazine, published in Athens, Greece.

· 1984-1990: Columnist for al-Arab daily newspaper. London, UK.

· 1990-1991: Head of cultural department of Sowt al-Kuwait daily newspaper. London, UK.

· 1992-2006: Columnist, head of cultural section and art editor of Al-Sharq al-Awsat daily newspaper. London, UK.

· 2007–present: Established Al-HodHod journal in London, an online newspaper in five languages (Arabic, English, French, Spanish and Persian).

· 1977-1979: Wrote several scenarios for Abu-Dhabi TV, UAE.

· 1999-2003: Producer and presenter of Qanadeel fil Zalaam (Lanterns in the Dark). Weekly (and subsequently twice weekly) live programme, concerned with political and social events in the Arab world. ANN satellite channel.

· 2005-2006: Producer and presenter of Mow’ad Ma’ al-Mostakbal (Date with the Future). Weekly live political programme. Democracy & Mostakilla satellite channel.

Participated and lectured in numerous media and cultural conferences, including:

· Frankfurt Book Fair (2003-2004). Germany.

· Cairo Book Fair (1993-2004). Egypt.

· Casablanca Book Fair (1995-1998). Morocco.

· Sharjah Book Fair (1989-1992). UAE.

· Kuwait Book Fair (2000-2002). Kuwait.

· Brazil Book Fair (2006-2007). Brazil.

· Asseela Festival (1992-2007). Morocco.

· Cannes Festival (1998-2000). France.

· Kartaaj Festival (1979-1983). Tunisia.

· Oqaaz Festival (2001-2002). Amaan, Jordan.

· Montadda Al-Eeslah al-Arabi (Forum of Arabic Reforms). 2002-2007. Alexandria, Egypt.

· European-Arab Dialogue: Barcelona, Spain. (1988), and Dubai, UAE (1995).

Poetry and Plays

· The Suicide of Job (Intihar Ayoob)

· A Song Outside the Flock (Oghnia Kharij al Sirb)

· Whoever is Sad, Follow Me (Man Kana Hazinan Fal Yatba’ni)

· Pigeons do not like Vodka (Al-hamam la yohiboo al-vodka): Black comedy set in a prison. This play, published in the early 1970s, predicted the era of forging democracy in the Arab world.

Critical Works

· Trilogy of Karmuti Dreams (Tholasiat al-holom al-karmuti): A study about the most dangerous secret movement in Islam in the 3rd century of Hijrah. This movement established small emirates in different regions of the Islamic world, destabilised the Abassi Khalifahs.

· Against the Current (Aks al- Tayar): Essays in Arabic literary criticism, re-evaluating the progress of Arabic poetry and novels in modern times.

· The Fathers of Arabic Modernism (Abba’ al Hadatha al-Arabia): A study that returns Arabic modernism to its roots, establishing that the real ‘fathers’ of Arabic modernism are writers from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th centuries of Hijrah: al-Jahiz, al-Halaaj and al-Towhidi.

Social and Cultural Studies

· The Wordmill (Tawaheen Al-Kalam): Short essays and articles dealing with different cultural, social and political aspects of modern Arab life.

· The Woman, the Universal Lamp (Al-ontha Misbah al-kowm- Odisaa anisa’ bayna alhoriya wal haramlik): A panoramic view of women in history and in the modern world, concentrating on women’s positive achievements in art, media, education and other aspects of life.

Travel Writing

· A Seagull Without a Compass: Visits to Places of Love and Mythology (Nowras bila Bosela: Rahlaat ila Moodon Al-Ishk wal Astoora): Like Sindbad’s travels in One Thousand and One Nights, the writer visits many special places with historical and mythological heritage- Rhodes, Istanbul, Havana, Mexico, Vienna, Fes, and Kayrawan, among others. The work is a special kind of travel writing, travelling to different places and through time, to revive what remains of the spirit of these places.