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Portrait of Laila Lalami

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Laila Lalami

Advocate for Palestinian and Human Rights

Friend of PalestineNot Palestinian, and stood with Palestine
Born
24 February 1968
Born in
Rabat, Morocco
Read Laila’s story2 videosAsk about Laila

Why Laila is here

Laila Lalami is a renowned Moroccan-American novelist and essayist who uses her platform to address issues of identity, migration, and justice, including the rights of Palestinians.

Their story

Laila Lalami, born in Rabat, Morocco, in 1968, is a Moroccan American novelist, essayist and professor. Her novel The Moor's Account was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and The Other Americans for the National Book Award.

Influenced by Edward Said, she writes often about immigration, belonging and power, and has spoken and written in support of Palestinian rights.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Laila’s path.

  1. 1992

    Moved to the United States to pursue a PhD in linguistics at the University of Southern California, marking the beginning of her journey as an immigrant writer.

  2. 2005

    Published her debut novel, Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits, which examines the lives of Moroccan immigrants, bringing her international recognition.

  3. 2014

    Released The Moor’s Account, a fictional memoir that reimagines the life of the first Black explorer of America. The novel was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and brought widespread acclaim.

  4. 2019

    Published The Other Americans, a novel that addresses issues of identity, family, and the immigrant experience in America, further establishing her as a significant literary voice.

  5. 2020

    Published Conditional Citizens: On Belonging in America, a collection of essays that critiques the concept of citizenship and explores themes of race, identity, and belonging, with a particular focus on the experiences of marginalized communities.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Advocacy for Palestinian Rights

    Lalami has used her platform to draw attention to the struggles of Palestinians, particularly through her participation in events like the Palestine Festival of Literature, where she has spoken out against the Israeli occupation.

  2. Challenging Narratives

    Through her writing, Lalami challenges dominant narratives about identity and belonging, particularly those that marginalize Palestinians and other displaced peoples.

    Watch

  3. Promoting Empathy and Understanding

    Her novels often explore themes of displacement and migration, fostering greater empathy for the experiences of Palestinians and other marginalized communities.

  4. Literary Representation

    By writing about Moroccan and Palestinian characters, Lalami provides much-needed representation for these communities in global literature, offering nuanced perspectives on their struggles.

  5. Educating on Human Rights

    Through her essays and public speaking engagements, Lalami educates audiences about the importance of human rights, including the rights of Palestinians, contributing to a broader understanding of global justice issues.

    Watch

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Watch & listen

Laila in interviews, talks and coverage.

  • 01Challenging Narratives↗

  • 02Educating on Human Rights↗

Further reading

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