Sudanese-Libyan writer Muhammed al-Fayturi is the subject of a Google Doodle, marking what would have been his 85th birthday.
Widely regarded as a pioneer of Arabic literature, the author's work comprised a fusion of mystic philosophy, African culture and calls for an oppression-free future.
Al-Fayturi was born in 1936, in Al Geneina, on the western border of Sudan. His father was Libyan, while his mother was Egyptian. At age 3, he moved to Egypt, where he spent his childhood.
He later studied literature and sciences, before becoming an editor for Sudanese and Egyptian newspapers.
He published his first collection of poems in 1956, with numerous plays, books and other poetry to follow, and making a living as a writer and journalist across Mena countries, including Sudan and Lebanon.
In 2015, his final two books were released. It's also the year he died, on May 24, in Rabat, Morocco.
Egyptian artist Nora Zeid, who is lives in Dubai, illustrated today's doodle. "I enjoy nudging people's perception of the status quo through my illustrations," she said in an interview with Google about the work. "Neocolonialist ideas have a great impact on how we perceive ourselves and our environment in Egypt and the region as a whole."
She said creating this doodle was "a dream project", but that it didn't come without concern "because I questioned whether or not I could do al-Fayturi's work justice through my illustration. His poetry tackles topics of racism and colonialism in the region, which are still relevant today."
Zeid took inspiration from the author's poetry for her illustration, describing his work as "extremely descriptive and vivid".
"The bustling market scene is a reflection of that. Additionally, I sensed it was sombre while still inspiring hope, hence the mix of emotion etched on his face."
Other Google Doodles from the Mena region:
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A Google Doodle celebrating Egyptian actress Karima Mokhtar's 89th birthday. All images: Google -
Egyptian writer Ihsan Abdel Quddous -
Kuwaiti actor and comedian Abdulhussain Abdulredha's 83rd birthday -
UAE National Day 2022 Google Doodle. -
Ousha Al Suwaidi was a poetess from the United Arab Emirates. -
Prof. Hamed Abdel Fattah Goher was an Egyptian oceanographer, scientist and TV presenter. -
Tunisia's Tawhida Ben Cheikh was a pioneer in women's medicine. -
Google Doodle of Egyptian actor and director Nour El-Sherif honours him on what would have been his 75th birthday. -
Google celebrates Syrian-Egyptian composer and actor Farid Al Atrash with a Google Doodle to mark what would have been his 110th birthday. -
Children's author Notaila Rashed is honoured with a special Google Doodle to mark her 86th birthday. -
Egyptian actress, producer, writer and filmmaker Bahiga Hafez was born 112 years ago, on August 4. -
The Google Doodle for January 20, 2020, celebrates Mufidah Abdul Rahman, Egypt's first female lawyer. -
A Google Doodle on June 10, 2019, celebrates Egyptian author Ahmed Khaled Towfik. -
Google Doodle honours Persian mathematician, poet and astronomer Omar Khayyam on what would have been his 971st birthday. -
Mary Mounib was a renowned actress in the Egyptian cinema scene. Her 114th birthday is marked in a Google Doodle on February 11, 2019. -
Egyptian poet Gamila El Alaily is honoured in a Google Doodle on March 20, 2019. -
Syrian artist Louay Kayali is the subject of Google's doodle on January 20, 2019. -
Egyptian-French singer and actress Dalida is honoured on her birthday by Google Doodle, on January 17, 2019. -
Egyptian actress Hind Rostom is celebrated in a Google Doodle on her 87th birthday, on November 12, 2018. -
Ibn Sina, one of the greatest thinkers of Islam's golden age, is honoured on August 7, 2018. -
A Google Doodle honours Saudi musician Talal Maddah on what would have been his 78th birthday, on August 5, 2018. -
A Google Doodle gif marks Egyptian actor Omar Sharif's birthday on April 10, 2018. -
Egyptian poet Farouk Shousha is honoured by Google on what would have been his 82nd birthday, on January 9, 2018. -
Google celebrates Lebanese singer Sabah's 90th birthday on November 10, 2017. -
Egyptian painter Inji Aflatoun's Google Doodle pays homage to her style of bold brushstrokes. -
Google celebrates the birthday of Algerian painter Mohammed Khadda, who was born on March 14, 1930. -
Lebanese singer-songwriter Melham Barakat is honoured by Google on his birthday.
