RAWI is committed to a hospitality that comes from a belief that our bayt is large.
Our values
RAWI is committed to a hospitality that comes from a belief that our bayt is large.
We are committed to creating a safe community space that opposes empire, white supremacy, racism, zionism, patriarchy, homophobia, and all repressive ideologies that diminish humanity.
We are committed to nurturing writers to create works that aim for our liberation, resisting the orientalizing impulses of American and Western political and literary culture.
We recognize that many Arabs were themselves colonizers, and we actively welcome and promote the work of the Arabic-speaking peoples from all backgrounds.
Our mission
Established in 1993, RAWI is a national nonprofit organization that provides mentoring, community, and support for writers with roots in the Arabic-speaking world and diaspora. We are dedicated to supporting and disseminating creative writing and scholarly writing by Arab and SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) Americans and those from the Arabic-speaking world–which often means creating space and highlighting voices and people threatened by erasure. We put on readings, panels, workshops, roundtables, conferences, and festivals that emphasize inclusivity.
Our initiatives
Literary Programs
We offer a variety of virtual readings, roundtables, publishing Q&As, and more to empower and connect members at all stages of their writing journeys. Our Submission Fee Bank, a microgrant program, offsets the cost of application and submission fees.
Community Connection
Recognizing the power of connection, we send a monthly newsletter, maintain an Instagram account, and are building a more robust member directory on this site to help Arab American and SWANA writers build on-the-ground communities, lead regional initiatives, and stay in touch between events.
RAWIFest & Events
RAWIFest creates a space where we can speak among ourselves. RAWI’s biannual gathering provides a rare opportunity to bring a large number of Arab American and SWANA writers, artists, scholars, and readers into the same inclusive and welcoming space.