Scottish PEN are joining the international literature festival Berlin (ilb)’s call on all individuals, institutions, schools and media outlets that care about justice and freedom to participate in a worldwide reading of selected poems and other texts in support of Ashraf Fayadh, on 14 January 2016.

Ashraf Fayadh, a 35 year-old Palestinian poet and art curator, who lives in Saudi Arabia, has been sentenced to death by a Saudi court on 17 November 2015 for the “crime” of apostasy. He was denied access to a lawyer throughout his detention and trial.

Poets Christine de Luca, Jenni Calder, Jenny Lindsay and Rachel McCrum will be reading poems by Ashraf Fayadh at the Scottish Poetry Library. The event will be chaired by Sarah Irving. We hope you can join them on 14 January and show your solidarity with the imprisoned poet.

For more information, visit the Worldwide Reading website here or read an article on the international appeal for the poet’s release here.