2002: Hafid Bouazza, “Rond voor rond of als een pinkhouweel. Homoseksualiteit en islam” / “Round by Round or Like a Pink Pickaxe. Homosexuality and Islam”

September 18, 2002

Hafid Bouazza, “Rond voor rond of als een pinkhouweel. Homoseksualiteit en islam” / “Round by Round or Like a Pink Pickaxe: Homosexuality and Islam”

Amsterdam Mosse Lecture
https://mosselectures.wisc.edu/amsterdam/

Wednesday, 18 September 2002, 17:00-19:30

Mozes en Aäronkerk, Waterlooplein 207
1011 PG
Amsterdam

Sponsored by:
Stichting George Mosse Fonds
Universiteit van Amsterdam
Global Mosse Lecture Series
IHLIA LGBTI Heritage

Lecture Description: Naar aanleiding van een geschrift van de negende-eeuwse essayist en vrijdenker Al-Jahiz zal Hafid Bouazza over homoseksualiteit en islam spreken vanuit een literair en historisch perspectief. Islamitische auteurs als Al-Jahiz (776-868) konden onbeschroomd over homoseksuele verlangens schrijven, terwijl zijn hedendaagse evenknieën worden verdoemd. Wat is er veranderd, wat kan er veranderen?

In september verschijnt van de hand van Hafid Bouazza de vertaling van de tekst van Al-Jahiz met inleiding bij uitgeverij Prometheus onder dezelfde titel als de lezing.

Na de lezing vindt de uitreiking van de Mosse Prijs plaats en is er een receptie.

Lecture Series Description: The annual Mosse lecture is an initiative of the George L. Mosse Fonds to promote the study of gay/lesbian history at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). It is organized in collaboration with IHLIA LGBTI Heritage. Mosse Lectures have been given by Hafid Bouazza, Marjan Sax, Ruud Douma aka Dolly Bellefleur, Bas Heijne, Maaike Meijer, Gerardjan Rijnders, Gerrit Komrij, Gloria Wekker, Stephan Sanders, M. Februari, Ted van Lieshout, Jet Bussemaker, Mohammed Benzakour, Hedy d’Ancona, Simon(e) van Saarloos, Gert Hekma, Karin Spaink, Joke Swiebel, and David Weissman.

Hafid Bouazza (1970-2021) was a Dutch-Moroccan writer, known for his work in both prose and poetry. He moved to the Netherlands at the age of 15 and later gained recognition for his unique literary voice. His debut novel, De vergelding [The Revenge] (2000), brought him immediate acclaim and won the prestigious Geertjan Lubberhuizen Prize. Bouazza’s writing often explores themes of identity, migration, and the tensions between cultures, reflecting both his Moroccan heritage and his experiences as an immigrant in the Netherlands. His novel Alleen maar nette mensen [Only Nice People] (2004), which critiques Dutch society and the assimilation of immigrants, was particularly influential and sparked much debate. Bouazza’s works have been translated into several languages, and he is also known for his thoughtful essays on topics such as Islam, cultural diversity, and the challenges faced by immigrants. In addition to his literary career, Bouazza has contributed to various newspapers and journals, discussing social issues and cultural differences. His work continues to play a significant role in the discourse surrounding the integration of immigrants in Western societies.

Stichting George Mosse Fonds
De Mosse Lezing is een initiatief van de Stichting George Mosse Fonds die tot doel heeft de bevordering van de studie van homo/lesbische geschiedenis aan de Universiteit van Amsterdam. George L. Mosse (Berlijn, 1918- Madison, 1999) was een bekende, liberale historicus van Duits-Joodse komaf die in 1988 gasthoogleraar homostudies was aan de Universiteit van Amsterdam.

The lecture connected to Bouazza’s broader work as a writer and translator. He resisted cultural pigeonholing and defended the freedom of literary imagination. In the same year, @uitgeverijprometheus published his translation and introduction Rond Voor Rond, Of Als Een Pikhouweel [Round for Round, or Like a Pickaxe.] After the lecture, the Mosse Prize was awarded to him. — De lezing sloot aan bij Bouazza’s bredere werk als schrijver en vertaler. Hij verzette zich tegen culturele hokjes en verdedigde de vrijheid van literaire verbeelding.

In hetzelfde jaar verscheen bij @uitgeverijprometheus zijn vertaling en inleiding Rond Voor Rond, Of Als Een Pikhouweel. Na afloop van de lezing werd de Mosse Prijs aan hem uitgereikt.

The lecture connected to Bouazza’s broader work as a writer and translator. He resisted cultural pigeonholing and defended the freedom of literary imagination. In the same year, @uitgeverijprometheus published his translation and introduction *Rond Voor Rond, Of Als Een Pikhouweel* [Round for Round, or Like a Pickaxe.] After the lecture, the Mosse Prize was awarded to him.

Bouazza (1970-2021) took as his starting point the work of the ninth-century Arab essayist and freethinker al-Jahiz. In his texts, he found a candid treatment of homoerotic desire. He asked why classical Islamic authors wrote openly about desire, while contemporary voices are often met with condemnation.

Bouazza (1970-2021) took as his starting point the work of the ninth-century Arab essayist and freethinker al-Jahiz. In his texts, he found a candid treatment of homoerotic desire. He asked why classical Islamic authors wrote openly about desire, while contemporary voices are often met with condemnation.

In 2002, writer, essayist, and translator Hafid Bouazza delivered the Mosse Lecture in the Mozes en Aäronkerk in Amsterdam. The title was “Round for Round, or Like a Pickaxe: Homosexuality and Islam.” With this lecture, Bouazza placed homosexuality and Islam within a longer literary and historical tradition.

In 2002, writer, essayist, and translator Hafid Bouazza delivered the Mosse Lecture in the Mozes en Aäronkerk in Amsterdam. The title was “Round for Round, or Like a Pink Pickaxe: Homosexuality and Islam.” With this lecture, Bouazza placed homosexuality and Islam within a longer literary and historical tradition.