Huda Naamani

Huda Naamani (also known as Houda Naamani, Hoda Naamani, or Houda K. Al-Naamani, 2 June 1930 – 31 October 2020) was a Syrian-born Lebanese feminist writer, poet, publisher, and artist. After moving to Beirut, Naamani wrote poetry that revolved around establishing womanhood and citizenship. She was most widely known for her contributions to poetry during the Lebanese Civil War. Naamani is a Lebanese citizen.

Biography Born in Damascus, Syria on 2 June 1930, into a family of Turkish origin, she is related to the old bourgeoisie ruling family; her relative Said al-Ghazzi served as the Prime Minister of Syria during the rule of Shukri al-Quwatli. Naamani was influenced by Sufi Islam, which allowed her to learn more about mysticism and express these ideas through poetry. Naamani studied at the Tahjiz, an official Syrian institution of learning, earning her baccalaureate. Following the completion of her studies at the Tahjiz, Naamani chose to study law by matriculating in the Syrian University's Law school. Her works typically focus on expressing women's revolt and strength against males during the war.

One of Naamani's most famous works is her English poem Rim of the Lock in which she explores individuality of the Lebanese society based on the Lebanese Civil War. She writes of the pain, violence, and atrocities that occurred during this chaotic time, while suggesting that there are tangible solutions to reach tranquility in the country. It is in poetic form and attempts to employ pathetic appeal as well as spiritual allusions to assert her vision of sadness, but also her hope for the future.

Some of her works published in Arabic include:

To You (1970) My Fingers...Not (1971) Vision on a Throne (1989) Houda I am The Truth (1991) The Book of Affection and Presence (1998) Many Lips you have O Shepherd, Many Hands (2001) "A Dot" on "H"

Besides publishing one book in English, her other poems have also been translated into English: Rim of the Lock Tumbling on the Snow.

Her works have been translated in French by Clara Murner and Roula Naboulsi, Urdu by Zouhair Ashraf Gamal and Professor Qaisrah M. Alwi. Naamani has also been anthologized by Professor Christian Leshon and Miriam Cooke in Opening the Gates: An Anthology of Arab Feminist Writing .