Pakistani writer Kamila Shamsie just got into a controversy
Just recently, Kamila Shamsie came under an unjust action as her Nelly-Sachs award was stripped off of her for being a supporter of Pro-Palestine movement. This triggered all kinds of responses from people who could barely believe this extreme action.
Kamila Shamsie was announced as this year’s winner of the Nelly Sachs Prize – named after a Jewish poet – in honor of her literary work earlier this month
However, the decision to hand her the prize was just reversed because of the BDS movement
The jury of the prize is of the belief that Shamsie’s support to the Boycott Disinvestment Sanctions (BDS) measures against the Israeli government and thus proves to be in contradiction to the statutory objectives of the award and the spirit of the Nelly Sachs Prize.
Furthermore, they also decided not to nominate another winner for the year 2019.
The German city of Dortmund withdraws literary award to British-Pakistani writer Kamila Shamsie, citing her support for the #BDS movement https://t.co/uC1oqPIwJx #palestine pic.twitter.com/H8CnPEiqW2
— Al-Shabaka الشبكة (@AlShabaka) September 19, 2019
The Dortmund City Council, the city that hosts the award defended their actions by stating that they were previously unaware of the fact that Kamila Shamsie was a supporter of BDS
In a statement released on 11th September , Dortmund city council stated : “ At the time of the decision , none of the jurors knew that Kamila Shamsie had supported the BDS (Boycott , Divestment & Sanctions) campaign in the past .”
— Dost Khan (@Dmkt1) September 19, 2019
The news stormed the internet and people are super pissed off
Are we even surprised? #KamilaShamsie https://t.co/qJNbu3SZeh
— Wajeeha Malik (@WajeehaM) September 19, 2019
Their anger was very evident and well..tbh justified.
To hell with Zionists and their evil minions!
Author @KamilaShamsie stripped of literary award over #BDS support
German city rescinds Nelly Sachs Prize from British Pakistani author, citing her support of the pro-Palestine movement.#RacistGermanshttps://t.co/UiMaR4C40W
— Alexandra Halaby🇵🇸 (@iskandrah) September 18, 2019
Freedom of speech is being called into question
In a society which welcomes freedom of speech, such a low act raises several questions about the truth behind the “freedom of speech”…
It is a matter of great sadness to me that a jury should bow to pressure and withdraw a prize from a writer who is exercising her freedom of conscience and freedom of expression : @kamilashamsie https://t.co/Tgo6MZjVqP
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) September 19, 2019
Actions of Dortmund Literary Council in Germany are very disappointing! Literature exists for offering critique, silencing voices critical of Israel in Literature defeats the purpose of its Literature's existence! https://t.co/imWCF5yiZ2 via @@GVS_News
— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) September 18, 2019
People called out Dortmund Literary Society for its hypocrisy and double standards, too
Double standard. @OfficialSuuKyi nobel peace prize is still not stripped off despite clear atrocities inflicted by her government towards Rohingya. Solidarity with @kamilashamsie for doing the right thing for Palestinians.
Solidarity with #KamilaShamsiehttps://t.co/gRNvD7qxF8— Rafidah Hanim Mokhtar (@DrRafidahHanim) September 19, 2019
However, some Indians were super pleased and applauded this decision
Whilst tweets started pouring in for the support of Kamila Shamsie, Some tweets came with bitter words and appreciation for the Dortmund Literary Council of Germany.
Anti semitism is not your freedom of expression. Great move by Germany . They've proved they stand with Israel and not with IS propaganda journalists/Authors.
— ns (@NiSharma12) September 19, 2019
And of course comparison between her actions and Bill Gates- Modi situation were made
You are endorsing, then it's clear that they took right decision. Damn, it's become so easy to predict now a days. Thanks Modi ji.
— बिशुद्धाक्ष पुहाण (@Bpuhan) September 19, 2019
In the midst of this mess, Kamila Shamsie also shared her statement
Kamila Shamsie said it was a “matter of outrage that the BDS movement that campaigns against the government of Israel for its acts of discrimination and brutality against Palestinians should be held up as something shameful and unjust”.
Kamila Shamsie's statement in response to the rescinding of the #NellySachsPreis on basis of her support for #BDS movement for Palestinian rights#McCarthyism pic.twitter.com/2sm6W3xI6Y
— Artists for Palestine UK (@Art4PalestineUK) September 18, 2019
Support for Kamila began pouring in from around the world
People expressed and appreciated her work whilst they criticized this biased decision.
I applaud your works. You have won the love of humanity. It is priceless that the tainted prize from the Committee. BDS is a recommendation from the UN in 2004. In 2005 , BDS was established. Thank you
— Naz Lallmohamed (@naz_lallmohamed) September 19, 2019
more power to you @kamilashamsie, the pro israel bias of these self proclaimed impartial institutions is an open secret.
— A Mullick (@atifmullick) September 19, 2019
The decision to take back her award has sparked outrage and criticism for its unfairness and complete disregard for free speech. Is this the respect of rights that all of us do have within the eyes of such institutions? What do you think? let us know in the comments below.
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