Omar El Akkad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Omar El Akkad
عمر العقاد
Born	1982 (age 42–43) Cairo, Egypt
Alma mater	Queen's University at Kingston
Occupation	Journalist, author
Awards	Giller Prize (2021)

Omar El Akkad is an Egyptian-Canadian writer and journalist. He was born in 1982. He is known for his powerful novels that explore important global issues. His book What Strange Paradise won the prestigious Giller Prize in 2021. He also has a background in reporting on significant world events.

Omar El Akkad: Author and Journalist

Early Life and Education

Omar El Akkad was born in Cairo, Egypt. He spent his early years growing up in Doha, Qatar. He attended an American international school while in Egypt. When he was 16 years old, his family moved to Canada. He completed his high school studies in Montreal. Later, he went to Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. He earned a degree in computer science from the university.

A Career in Journalism

For ten years, Omar El Akkad worked as a staff reporter. He wrote for a major Canadian newspaper called The Globe and Mail. During his time as a journalist, he covered many important stories.

Reporting on Important Events

He reported on conflicts and significant events happening in Afghanistan. He also covered legal cases involving military situations at Guantanamo Bay. He witnessed and wrote about major changes and protests in Egypt during the Arab Spring. More recently, he worked as a correspondent in the western United States. There, he covered important social justice movements like Black Lives Matter.

Becoming a Novelist

Omar El Akkad is also a talented novelist. His books often explore big ideas and challenging situations. They make readers think deeply about the world.

American War: A Powerful Debut

His first novel, American War, was published in 2017. Critics gave the book very positive reviews. The New York Times praised it as a powerful story. They noted how it made a fictional future seem alarmingly real. The Globe and Mail called it a "masterful debut." The novel was a finalist for several awards. It also won a Kobo Emerging Writer Prize. In November 2019, BBC News listed American War among the 100 most influential novels.

What Strange Paradise: A Giller Prize Winner

On November 8, 2021, El Akkad won the Giller Prize for his novel What Strange Paradise. This is one of Canada's most important literary awards. The book tells a story about migration and global challenges. It follows a Syrian boy named Amir. He is the only survivor after a migrant boat sinks. The novel was also chosen for the 2022 edition of Canada Reads.

Other Works

He also wrote the foreword for The Annotated Arabian Nights. This is a recent English translation of the classic Middle Eastern story collection. It was translated by Yasmine Seale. In 2025, El Akkad published One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This. This book explores difficult conflicts and their impact on people. It was awarded the 2025 National Book Award for Nonfiction.

Awards and Recognition

Omar El Akkad has received many honors for his writing:

• Winner of the 2021 Giller Prize.
• Winner of the Pacific Northwest Book award.
• Named a best book of the year by The New York Times.
• Also named a best book of the year by The Washington Post and The Globe and Mail.
• Winner of the 2025 National Book Award for Nonfiction.

Personal Life

Omar El Akkad lives in Portland, Oregon, United States. He lives there with his wife and children. He identifies as a Muslim.