Hicham Bouzid, Germany based Moroccan writer, has done what many would think thrice before they did it. During times when every other writer knows he or she has to conform to certain standards and keep in view the sentiments of majority so as to guarantee their security, he wrote ”Kafavis’ Syndrome” a book on the ”Odyssey of a Bisexual Moslim”, non-heterosexuality still being a taboo in our cultures. Born in the city of Rabat during the 70s, before writing Kafavis’ Syndrome, Hicham worked in the Agriculture Industry in Italy and it was there that, after reading Kafavis’ poetry dealing with the work of Homer, Hicham got inspired to come up with his book. A writer himself, it was reading which helped him in overcoming the exhaustion and exasperation of insomnia depression.
Nuwas Manto interviews Hicham Bouzid, specially for Pink Pages.
NM: The name of your book Kafavis’ Syndrome sounds heavy. Where did you get the inspiration for the name from?
HB : Well, it doesn’t sound heavy at all. It was like a code through which I wanted to tell the readers about the homosexual theme of the book. The first title was Diaries of a Homophobe Homosexual, but the publishing house asked me to change the title, so that was all the best I could do to keep the message.
NM: Your character in the book is unwilling to accept his sexuality and believes that it’s a curse of God upon him which he must overcome. Do we find your own struggle reflected in the story of your character? Was it same way for you to accept your sexuality or were you totally okay with the minute you realized yours?
HB: The book is semi-autobiographical, so some parts are me, some have nothing to do with me, but it has a lot to do with the Morocco I lived in.
NM: Do you believe that in an age where the child is more concerned with internet games than the pleasure of Greek Mythology, a book can make a change of attitude towards the topic it deals with? Is a writer as influential as he/she was before the advent of internet and gadgets?
HB: No matter what comes, even if we conquer the whole universe, and set up outposts in every galaxy, our heritage will always be reflected in our daily life. As to the Internet, or anything that comes and breaks our previous habits, reading remains the utmost of them all. It lived, it lives and it will live
NM: As a writer yourself, which what other writers inspired you?
HB: I read a lot, so it is not easy for me to say what the influences are. I adore every writer who can in small novellas give the message many can’t do in bulky trilogies.
NM: What has been the reaction of Muslim community regarding the book? Any fatwas yet? Did it get you worried that you might be risking your security?
HB: Well, it will be very stupid for anyone to risk his life for a novel telling a story. The fatwa now has become the mere lynching of a person. I remember two heads of state: one who suggested the changing of Mecca to Jerusalem for the annual pilgrimage, a sin not to be forgiven; the other who wanted to eternalise his person, adding some verses to the Koran. Strange enough, they are considered to be the shields of religion. I did neither. I wrote a book to open a healthy discussion.
NM: It is still hard to find Muslims who are LGBT and can balance between their religion/culture and sexuality, although there is definitely a growing trend of LGBT positive Muslims. As a bisexual Muslim man yourself, how did you reconcile your sexuality and religious beliefs? I ask this as it’s still a very core issue regarding the acceptance of LGBT Muslims.
HB: It is not easy for anyone to accept his sexuality, having lived in a world where everyone would look at you with derision and contempt. The best way is to seek the right friendship, the family you can’t since you don’t choose yours! How to balance those three elements- religion, culture and sexuality is not easy. But if your mind is clever enough to create a balance, then lucky you!
NM: Your final words to the LGBT Youth and the readers of Pink Pages?
HB: I only recently came across Pink Pages, and it seemed interesting. I am glad for the Indian people that they have overcome such an unfair law. It is only the beginning, though. Tolerance needs more than to change a law. I hope the same for Pakistan. It made the nuclear bomb following India. Will it be clever enough to change a paragraph of persecution following India’s example? I surely hope so!
