Omar Youssef Souleimane, the author of "L’Arabe qui sourit" (The Arab Who Smiles) – an ironically titled fourth novel published by Flammarion – lives a simple life within the confines of a small studio apartment in Paris’ 11th arrondissement. His companions are few: a sofa, a scattering of books, a wooden table, and two tall white windows that offer a glimpse of the boundless blue sky above. This minimalist setting provides a stark contrast to the complexities of his life and the profound themes explored in his writing.
The opening sentence, "God does not love the joyful," immediately establishes a central conflict, a philosophical undercurrent that permeates Souleimane’s work and perhaps his very existence. This seemingly paradoxical statement, deeply ingrained in the culture from which he hails, forms the bedrock upon which his personal and artistic journey is built. It challenges the very notion of happiness as something desirable, suggesting a tension between religious piety and the pursuit of joy.
Souleimane, a Franco-Syrian novelist, poet, and journalist, explains, "I grew up in a culture, Islam, where being joyful is not desirable." This stark admission provides context for the title of his novel and offers a glimpse into the internal struggles he faces. He is a man caught between two worlds, grappling with the expectations of his heritage and the freedom he has found in his adopted homeland.
His refuge in Paris, spanning over a decade, is not merely a geographical relocation but a symbolic escape from the oppressive regime of Bashar al-Assad, under which his name was once inscribed on a blacklist, designating him an enemy of the state. This past persecution underscores the courage and resilience that lie beneath his unassuming demeanor. His flight from Syria to France represents a transition from a world of fear and censorship to one of relative freedom and artistic expression.
Described as possessing the appearance of an eternal adolescent, this 37-year-old man sports curly hair, small rectangular glasses, and a nascent beard. His youthful appearance belies the weight of his experiences and the depth of his intellectual pursuits. The descriptor "eternal adolescent" perhaps speaks to a sense of perpetual questioning, a refusal to become jaded by the harsh realities he has witnessed.
His speech, characterized by rapid delivery and perfect French learned only a decade ago, reveals an eagerness to communicate, a pent-up desire to express the thoughts and emotions that have been simmering beneath the surface. The words "rush from his mouth as if they have been held back for too long," painting a picture of a man finally liberated to share his story with the world. They are "eager now to live their lives in the open air – and with a smile." This imagery is particularly poignant given the stifling atmosphere he left behind in Syria, where free expression was a dangerous, often fatal, undertaking. The desire to express himself, to write and speak without fear, is a testament to the transformative power of freedom.
The reference to an accompanying article, "In Syria, the new government of Ahmed al-Charaa dominated by the Islamists," serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing turmoil in his homeland. This political instability further underscores the reasons for his exile and the importance of his voice as a Syrian refugee. The rise of Islamist influence in Syria paints a bleak picture of a country further entrenched in ideologies that may clash with Souleimane’s own values and aspirations. It serves as a constant reminder of the environment from which he escaped and the ongoing struggles of the Syrian people.
The contrast between his personal story and the political situation in Syria highlights the importance of individual voices in the face of oppressive regimes. Souleimane’s writing becomes a form of resistance, a way to challenge the narratives that seek to silence dissenting voices. His novel, "L’Arabe qui sourit," becomes a powerful statement in itself, a direct challenge to the notion that joy is undesirable or forbidden. It is an act of defiance, a reclamation of happiness in the face of adversity.
The author’s personal journey mirrors the broader struggles of many refugees and immigrants who find themselves navigating new cultures and grappling with questions of identity and belonging. He embodies the challenges of assimilation, the tension between preserving one’s heritage and embracing the freedoms and opportunities of a new society. His story resonates with anyone who has ever felt caught between two worlds, struggling to reconcile conflicting values and expectations.
Ultimately, Omar Youssef Souleimane is a complex and compelling figure, a man whose life has been shaped by both tragedy and hope. His writing offers a window into the human condition, exploring themes of identity, exile, freedom, and the enduring power of the human spirit. The fact that he chooses to write a novel titled "The Arab Who Smiles" is a testament to his resilience and his unwavering belief in the possibility of joy, even in the face of profound adversity. He is a testament to the human spirit’s enduring capacity to find hope and happiness even in the darkest of times. He is a beacon of light for those who have been silenced, a voice for those who have been marginalized. He is, above all, a survivor, a storyteller, and a testament to the transformative power of art.
