Dubai: It is often argued that the advent of the internet led to an evolution in Arabic literature that is unprecedented.
While some argue that the internet weakens the Arabic language, others say that it has enabled Arabic literature to reach an audience much larger and farther than ever.
The publishing of Saudi writer Raja Al Sana's Girls of Riyadh is at the centre of the debate on the internet's impact on Arabic writing.
Girls of Riyadh was a best seller in the region because of its controversial subject matter and its use of simple language, both of which were also sources of criticism.
Prominent Arabic writers present at the Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature (EAIFL) argued that despite the internet's role in 'polluting' the Arabic language and making it more superficial, it could work well to promote Arabic literature and make it more reachable for readers and new writers.
London-based Assyrian Iraqi writer Samuel Shimon, Saudi writer Turki Al Dakhil, Syrian writer Dr Haifa Bitar and UAE-based Shakir Nouri debated the internet's effect on Arabic writing at EAIFL on Thursday, agreeing that the advantages of the internet for Arabic literature far outweigh its disadvantages.
"Arabic writing was isolated and geographically restricted until the internet came along. Now an Arabic writer in Abu Dhabi can have an audience from Casablanca to Australia," said Shimon, who is also the founder of the Banipal online magazine on Arabic literature.
He said that he was also introduced to many new Arabic writers courtesy of the internet.
"We can actually call it Arabic literature now because it can finally reach all parts of the Arab world," he said.
Dr Haifa agreed, saying: "After I started publishing my writing on the internet, I started getting e-mailed letters of support from major Arabic authors I had never dreamt of speaking to," she said.
The writers said the internet helped Arabic writing free itself from political and social restrictions that had plagued pre-internet era Arabic writing, saying it was a platform for free thought and the unrestricted exchange of ideas.
They also credited the internet with introducing Arab authors to the non-Arab world and helping globalise Arabic writing.
It was also argued that the internet had even helped promote gender equality.
"We all know that women aren't afforded many opportunities in Saudi Arabia. The internet has helped introduce the Saudi literary scene to more women, who now constitute 60 per cent of Saudi writers thanks to the internet, as opposed to the previous 40 per cent. They can become writers sitting at home now," said Al Dakhil.
