2016 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award: Ahmed Naji
Ahmed Naji is the author of three books, a journalist at literary magazine Akhbar al-Adab, and a frequent contributor to other newspapers and websites in which he has criticized… More
2016 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award Introduction: Suzanne Nossel
PEN America Executive Director Suzanne Nossel introduces the 2016 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award, given to Egyptian novelist Ahmed Naji. More
JK Rowling defends Donald Trump’s right to be ‘offensive and bigoted’
JK Rowling has said that while she finds almost everything that Donald Trump says “objectionable”, he still has her full support to come to the UK and “be offensive… More
Egypt Put This Man In Jail For The Crime Of Writing A Novel
Ahmed Naji was optimistic when he arrived in court on February 20. He was convinced that Egypt’s constitution would protect him. No one goes to prison for writing a… More
PEN Literary Gala Honors Celebrates Opponents of Censorship and Speaking Truth to Power
May 16 Ceremony Celebrates J.K. Rowling, Hachette CEO Michael Pietsch, Flint Activists Lee-Anne Walters and Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, and Jailed Egyptian Novelist Ahmed Naji NEW YORK—New York’s literary community gathered… More
J.K. Rowling Criticizes Donald Trump but Defends His Freedom of Speech
J.K. Rowling held up Donald Trump as an example of the importance of freedom of expression in her remarks Monday night at the PEN America Literary Gala, a glittery… More
May Featured Case: Ahmed Naji
This month, PEN features the case of 2016 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award winner Ahmed Naji, whose case is emblematic of the widening and escalating crackdown on free expression… More
Sondheim, Roth Condemn Imprisonment of Egyptian Writer
Woody Allen, Philip Roth and Stephen Sondheim are among more than 120 authors, artists and journalists calling for the Egyptian government... More
Artists seek release of Egyptian writer jailed over sex scene
More than 120 writers, journalists and artists around the world have urged Egypt's president to free a novelist jailed for two years over a sexually explicit scene in a… More
President Sisi: Release Ahmed Naji
More than 120 writers and artists join PEN America to protest the unjust imprisonment of our colleague, Egyptian novelist and journalist Ahmed Naji, and request his immediate release. More
Support for the freedom to read with exclusive designs by Todd Parr, Mike Curato, Art Spiegelman, and more!
