Kareem James Abu-Zeid

Half American, half Egyptian, Kareem James Abu-Zeid was born in Kuwait in 1981, and has lived an itinerant life across the Middle East, Europe, and the US. He is a prolific and award-winning translator of poets and novelists from across the Arab world. He is currently completing his PhD in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, with a focus on spirituality and modern poetry. He practices various forms of Buddhist meditation, and generally spends several weeks each year on silent retreats. He is currently translating a second book by Najwan Darwish.