On October 14, the Moroccan author Hajar Azell received accolades at the fourth edition of the Grand Mosque of Paris's literary prize. Her second novel, «The Meaning of Escape» (published by Gallimard), was celebrated for its compelling narrative and the fluidity of her prose. Set for release in early 2025, the book offers a deep dive into the Arab Spring through the perspective of Alice, a budding journalist navigating her early career in Beirut in 2010, and later in Cairo in 2011. The novel unfolds a tale where passion and political unrest converge, chronicling the intense relationship between Alice and her colleague, Bassem, amidst the chaos of Tahrir Square. As the Arab Spring's revolutions sweep across the region, Alice finds herself swept along on a tumultuous journey, culminating in the conflict-ridden landscapes of Syria. Her return to Paris marks the start of a new chapter, as an unexpected encounter leads her to Algeria, in search of her roots. In this edition, the grand jury prize was posthumously awarded to Abdelwahab Meddeb, honoring his extensive body of work, coinciding with the release of «Islam at the Crossroads of Cultures» (Albin Michel and Towards the East by Stock editions). El Mouhoub Mouhoud received the prize for the best essay with «The First Name» (published by Seuil). Catherine Mayeur-Jaouen was granted a special mention by the jury for «The Cult of Muslim Saints» (Gallimard). The jury, led by Chems-eddine Hafiz, included notable figures such as Djaïli Amadou Amal, Souleymane Bachir Diangne, Lucie Bressy, Manuel Carcassonne, Claude Colombini, Amina Damerdji, Jean-Louis Gouraud, Martine Heissat, Pierre Leroy, Aïcha Mokdahi, Delphine Jouenne, and Benjamin Stora. The Grand Mosque of Paris noted that the ceremony was attended by prominent guests, including former minister Ségolène Royal, Mayor Florence Berthout, the ambassador of Egypt, and representatives from the embassies of Algeria, the United States, Tunisia, Qatar, Mauritania, Bangladesh, and the Arab League in France, alongside representatives of the Muslim faith and other religions.
