London’s most prominent Lebanese and Middle Eastern bookshop is closing its door permanently in December

Founded by lifelong Lebanese friends André Gaspard and the late Mai Ghoussoub, who resettled in London due to the Lebanese civil war, the iconic London bookshop Al Saqi Books will close its door permanently on December 31, 2022. 

Established in 1978, Al Saqi became one of the leading cultural spaces and libraries for the Middle Eastern diaspora looking for a place to read the region's best works tackling issues of freedom of speech and cultural diversity.

Gaspard and Ghoussoub wanted to recreate the intellectual space of pre-war Beirut and supply the London market with English and Arabic books focusing on the MENA region. 

In the 1980s, the bookshop became a leading place where people could read books banned in the Arab world. 

André and Mai also began publishing English-language works as Saqi Books in 1983. Five years later, a sister company, Dar al Saqi, was founded in Beirut to release seminal titles of philosophy, western thought, and social theory in Arabic. 

"It has been a privilege to bring the best in Arabic writing and intellectual thought to readers eager to explore the Arab world's rich heritage, and to serve such a warm and generous community," Salwa Gaspard, the bookshop's director, commented. 

Although Al Saqi Books will be closing after more than four decades, its legacy will stay alive in the Arab intellectual community.