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Moustafa Bayoumi

ムスタファ・バユーミ

Moustafa Bayoumi

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1966-01-01 （Zürich, Switzerland）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Zürich, Switzerland (birth) → Kingston, Ontario, Canada (raised) → Brooklyn, New York City, United States (residence/base)

Career

Occupations
writer, journalist, professor
Active Years
1990-
Affiliations
Brooklyn College (City University of New York), Department of English
Memberships
American Studies Association (former National Council member)
Influenced By
Edward Said (influential scholar)

Education

Columbia University
English and Comparative Literature
Degree: PhD
Country: United States
PhD in English and Comparative Literature

Awards

American Book Award
2008
Work: How Does It Feel to Be a Problem?: Being Young and Arab in America
Organization: Before Columbus Foundation
Result: winner
Arab American Book Award (Non-Fiction)
2009
Work: How Does It Feel to Be a Problem?: Being Young and Arab in America
Category: Non-Fiction
Organization: Arab American National Museum
Result: winner
Evelyn Shakir Non-Fiction Arab American Book Award
2016
Work: This Muslim American Life: Dispatches from the War on Terror
Category: Non-Fiction
Organization: Arab American National Museum
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

How Does It Feel to Be a Problem?: Being Young and Arab in America

2008 Non-fiction / Social commentary

Traces the experiences of seven young Arab-Americans after September 11, exploring discrimination, stereotyping, and the struggles of identity and belonging in the United States. The title alludes to W.E.B. Du Bois.

identityracializationimmigration and diasporapost-9/11 surveillance and prejudice

This Muslim American Life: Dispatches from the War on Terror

2015 Non-fiction / Essays

Examines how the War on Terror has affected Muslim Americans, revealing the impact of surveillance, media representation, and politics on everyday life and civil liberties.

surveillancecivil libertiesmedia representationMuslim American experience

The Edward Said Reader (co-edited)

2002 Edited volume / Literary criticism

A reader compiling major writings of Edward Said; Bayoumi served as co-editor to present Said's work and influence.

postcolonialismcultural criticism

Midnight on the Mavi Marmara (editor)

2010 Edited volume / Political commentary

An edited collection addressing the attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and its political ramifications.

Middle East politicshuman rightsinternational relations

Bibliography

  • How Does It Feel to Be a Problem?: Being Young and Arab in America (2008)
  • The Edward Said Reader (co-edited, 2002)
  • Midnight on the Mavi Marmara (editor, 2010)
  • This Muslim American Life: Dispatches from the War on Terror (2015)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
academic and essayistic stylejournalistic voicenarratives foregrounding testimony and oral histories
Recurring Motifs
identity and belongingsurveillance and security policydiaspora experiencescritique of media representation

Legacy

Bayoumi is recognized for making visible the experiences of Arab and Muslim Americans in the post-9/11 era through scholarly and journalistic work. As an educator he has influenced many students and is an important voice in American cultural and immigration studies.

Academic Societies

  • American Studies Association

Trivia

  • Born in Zürich in 1966, raised in Kingston, Ontario, and based in Brooklyn.
  • How Does It Feel to Be a Problem? won the 2008 American Book Award and the 2009 Arab American Book Award.
  • Has contributed to major outlets such as The Guardian and The Nation.
  • Official website: moustafabayoumi.com