Yasmin Zahran

Yasmin Zahran (Arabic: Yāsamīn Zahrān; born 1933) is a Palestinian writer and archeologist who is known for her novels, including A Beggar at Damascus Gate.

Yasmin Zahran
Born1933 (age 89–90)
Ramallah, Mandate for Palestine
OccupationArcheologist
Alma mater
Period1990s
GenreNovel
Notable worksA Beggar at Damascus Gate

Early life and education

Zahran was born in Ramallah in 1933.[1][2] She graduated from Columbia University and the University of London.[3] She received a PhD in archaeology from Sorbonne University in Paris.[4]

Career and activities

Following her graduation Zahran was employed in the UNESCO.[4] Then she worked at the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology in Jerusalem.[4] She is the cofounder of the Jerusalem-based Institute of Islamic Archaeology which was established in 1992.[3] Zahran's studies focus on the leading historical figures in the Middle East such as Zenobia which she described as a multi-ethnic queen.[5]

Zahran resides in Paris and Ramallah.[1]

Books

Zahran published her first novel, The First Melody, in 1991 which was published in Arabic.[4] Her second book, A Beggar at Damascus Gate, which was written in English was published in 1993 and narrates the struggle of Palestinians to find a place which they could call home.[6] This novel largely reflects Zahran's own experience.[7]

Her other books include Philip the Arab: A Study in Prejudice, Zenobia Between Reality and Legend, Ghassan Resurrected and Septimius Severus: Countdown to Death.[4] She wrote a book about cats entitled The Golden Tail in 2017.[8]

References
  1. "Yasmin Zahran". Litmus Press. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  2. Raḍwá ʻĀshūr; Ferial Jabouri Ghazoul; Hasna Reda-Mekdashi, eds. (2008). Arab Women Writers: A Critical Reference Guide, 1873-1999. Translated by Mandy McClure. Cairo; New York: American University in Cairo Press. p. 515. ISBN 978-977-416-146-9.
  3. Salah Hussein A. Al Houdalieh (2009). "Archaeology Programs at the Palestinian Universities: Reality and Challenges". Archaeologies. 5 (1): 161–183. doi:10.1007/s11759-009-9097-9.
  4. Samah Samih Elhajibrahim (2007). Beyond orientalism: A study of three Arabic women writers (MA thesis). Texas Woman's University. pp. 37–38. hdl:11274/11633.
  5. Taef El-Azhari (2019). Queens, Eunuchs and Concubines in Islamic History, 661–1257. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. p. 47. doi:10.1515/9781474423199. ISBN 9781474423199.
  6. Marilyn Booth (Winter 1997). "Book review. A Beggar at Damascus Gate". World Literature Today. 71 (1).
  7. Layla Al Maleh (2009). "From Romantic Mystics to Hyphenated Ethnics: Arab-American Writers Negotiating/Shifting Identities". In Layla Al Maleh (ed.). Arab Voices in Diaspora. Critical Perspectives on Anglophone Arab Literature. Leiden: Brill. p. 436. doi:10.1163/9789042027190_017. ISBN 9789042027190.
  8. "The Golden Tail". gilgamesh-publishing.co.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
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