Jumana Haddad on erotica and women literatures in the Arabic language

The programme of Arabic language and literature at the Lebanese American University organized a conference for journalist and poet Jumana Haddad on the difference in addressing erotica and porn literature in Arabic literature based on the gender of the writer.  The event was under the auspices of Dr. Latif Zaituni and was organized yesterday at the LAU Business School at the Beirut Campus.  Haddad discussed the discriminatory nature of the terminology “women literature”.  She argued that “feminist literature”, or literature that addresses inequality, discrimination, patriarchy, and sexual minorities, is an acceptable and logical concept.  However, Haddad added that “women literature” referring to literature produced by women and the concept is still considered erroneous and refuted and has no consideration in literature.
Haddad also refers to literature on sex in the Arab world through highlighting Arab cultural heritage which is rich with volumes that deal freely and in an uninhibited way with sex such as the writings of Egyptian Imam Jalal el Dine al Sayooti.  She also referred to her experience in publishing “Al Jassad” (i.e. Body” magazine) and the negative social and religious views of erotica.  Haddad noted that erotica does not exist in the Arabic literature unlike French or English literature.  She also doubted that this will be possible in the near future because of the overall environment in the region and which is characterized by an increase in religious extremism.  She also condemned the present censorship measures, widespread in the Arab world, that are suppressing creativity.
Source: Al-Nahar 26 March 2014