Prof Wole Soyinka, reading at the Free Fayadh reading in Lagos. Photo Credit Idowu Ogunleye

Yemi Afolabi reading a poem from Fayadh book at the event

Kunle Ajibade reading from his book entitled Jailed for Life at the reading

A young writer reading a poem from Fayadh book

Cross section of writers reading at the event

Cross section of other participants

On Thursday, 13 January 2016, Professor Wole Soyinka and other literary personalities held Free Ashraf Fayadh Readings at Freedom Park, Lagos.

Fayadh, 35, a Palestinian artist, curator, and poet, has, according to mondoweiss.net, been sentenced to death by beheading. Saudi Arabian authorities have declared his crime as “apostasy,” or abandoning one’s religion—in this case, renouncing Islam. Several other charges were also leveled against Fayadh, including allegedly photographing women and storing their pictures on his phone, a violation of the country’s Anti-Cyber Crime Law. He pleaded his innocence to all the charges.

Photo Credit Idowu Ogunleye