In memory of Fathieh Saudi (1949–2016)
The Mosaic Rooms are deeply saddened by the loss of Fathieh Saudi, a wonderful poet and a dear friend.
Born in Jordan in 1949, Fathieh Saudi completed her medical studies in France and worked as a paediatrician in Jordan and Lebanon. She became interested in writing and literature as a tool for personal development and healing, and eventually left the medical profession to pursue this.
She wrote two memoirs about the 1982 Lebanon War: L’Oubli Rebelle in French (1985) and Days of Amber in Arabic (1990). She is the author of three collections of poetry in English – The Prophets: A Poetic Journey from Childhood to Prophecy (2008), Prophetic Children (2012) and Daughter of the Thames (2012) – and one in Arabic, Bint alnaher (2011).
Fathieh was a loved regular of The Mosaic Rooms, attending many events. In 2012 she presented a wonderful evening of poetry here with readings from her two most recent collections.
For more than 30 years she was involved with the defence of human rights, peace and justice, in particular in the Middle East. She received several awards for her medical, humanitarian and cultural work, including the Chevalier de l’Ordre du Merite. As well as serving as a trustee of English PEN and a passionate member of the Writers in Translation committee, Fathieh Saudi also served as the chair of Exiled Writers Ink and was a member of the Society of Authors.
A memorial service for Fathieh Saudi will take place on Saturday 6 February, 4pm to 6pm, here at The Mosaic Rooms. All are welcome to join in memory and tribute to her.