Ibrahim Yassin
Ibrahim Yassin (Arabic: إبراهيم ياسين; Chinese: 易卜拉欣·亚辛; born 26 February 1987) is an Egyptian poet, writer, and editor who writes in Arabic and English. His works explore identity, diaspora, cultural exchange, and spirituality, combining surrealist and contemporary literary approaches.
Biography
Yassin was born in Egypt. He previously lived in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is currently based in China. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and has pursued further studies in literature, language, and mental health. He is currently undertaking postgraduate studies in English literature.
Literary career and international recognition
China – Cultural recognition and literary participation
In 2026, Yassin participated in the International Youth Poetry Festival organized by the China Writers Association, where his works were featured in official festival publications and translated into Chinese. He presented poetry inspired by Chinese opera traditions and explored cultural dialogue between China and Egypt.
His participation was also covered by Southern Chinese media.[2]
His participation and cultural speech at the National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature were published by the China Writers Association.[3]
A poem from the festival was also translated into Chinese and published in official anthology materials.[4]
At Shenzhen Bay Culture Square, Yassin presented a poem inspired by a Cantonese opera excerpt, comparing the Nile River and Pearl River as “brothers,” using imagery of tea and silk to reflect cultural exchange between China and Egypt.[5]
Since 2025, Yassin has been based in Guangdong, China, where he has participated in cultural visits and literary exchanges in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai, including institutions such as the Cantonese Opera Art Museum and the Cantonese Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum. A media profile described his engagement with local cultural life and his interactions with Chinese artistic traditions in the context of Egyptian–Chinese cultural dialogue.[6]
Additional media coverage from Guangdong literary circles reported his participation in cultural dialogue activities between China and Egypt and quoted him as saying that “poetry is an endless dialogue between civilizations.”[7]
A recorded interview from the Guangdong Museum of Literature was published in short video format.[8]
Africa – PAWA recognition
Yassin was selected as a semi-finalist in the 2026 Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) competition, and his poem Bamboo Poet was included in the official anthology series.
United States – Literary recognition
Yassin received an Honorable Mention in the Writers of the Future competition.[12]
Vietnam – Translation and publication
A poem from Psalms of Diaspora was translated into Vietnamese and published in Vietnamese poetry media focused on literary exchange.[13]
Arabic poetry in China
One of his Arabic poems was translated into Chinese and published in festival anthology materials.
Reception and critical response
Yassin’s work has received literary attention in independent reviews and cultural publications.
A critical analysis of one of his poetic works was published in the Arabic literary magazine Basrayatha, discussing thematic structures of existential questioning and poetic ambiguity in his writing.[14]
An English-language review of Psalms of Diaspora described the work as combining surreal imagery with philosophical and existential themes.[15]
A published interview with Algerian media discussed his poetic project and cultural vision.[16]
Works
Psalms of Diaspora[17]
Bohemian Monk (بوهيمي راهب)[18]
Mural of Adam, Eve and My Demon (جدارية آدم وحواء وشيطاني)[19]
Cultural diplomacy and institutional activities
South Africa – NWASA activities
Yassin participated in cultural policy initiatives with the National Writers Association of South Africa.[20]
He also contributed to cultural industry development initiatives in South Africa.[21]
Mauritania cooperation
He participated in an Arab-African literary forum in Mauritania and signed cultural cooperation initiatives with writers’ unions.[22]
Memberships
International Union for the Arabic Language.[23]
Awards and recognition
- Writers of the Future – Honorable Mention
- PAWA Semi-finalist 2026
- PAWA Anthology inclusion
External links
- https://basrayatha.com/?p=21165
- https://basrayatha.com/?p=21996
- https://afaqhorra.com/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AB%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%82%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%86%D9%88%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AF%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84نورس-%D8%A7%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84/
- https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=psalms+of+diaspora
- https://www.google.com/books/edition/Psalms_of_Diaspora/ibrahim-yassin/9798314450123
- https://search.worldcat.org/title/psalms-of-diaspora/1459175187
- https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q140307460
References
- ↑ "China News Service report – International Youth Poetry Festival". China News Service.
- ↑ "YCWB coverage". YCWB.
- ↑ "China Writers Association official publication". China Writers Association.
- ↑ "Weixin festival anthology coverage". Weixin.
- ↑ "YCWB cultural coverage – Shenzhen Bay Culture Square". YCWB.
- ↑ "Guangdong media coverage". Southern Chinese media.
- ↑ "Guangdong literary interview coverage". Weixin.
- ↑ "Guangdong Museum of Literature interview (video)". YouTube.
- ↑ "PAWA official announcement". PAWA.
- ↑ "Africanian PAWA coverage". Africanian.
- ↑ "PAWA Poetry Competition 2026 longlist announcement". Jaylit.
- ↑ "Writers of the Future mention". Writers of the Future.
- ↑ "Vietnam Poetry translation". Vietnam Poetry.
- ↑ "Critical study of Yassin's poetry". Basrayatha.
- ↑ "Review of Psalms of Diaspora". Artist Highlight.
- ↑ "Interview with Ibrahim Yassin (Algerian press)". Algerian Newspaper (archived copy on Google Drive).
- ↑ "Hatchards listing". Hatchards.
- ↑ "Books Library listing". Books Library.
- ↑ "Asdae Al Fikr". Asdae Al Fikr.
- ↑ "NWASA Issue 7". NWASA.
- ↑ "NWASA cultural development". NWASA.
- ↑ "NWASA Issue 12". NWASA.
- ↑ "Membership profile". Arabic Language Union.
