Elias Khoury - The Journey of Little Gandhi

Elias Khoury is the author of twelve novels, including Gate of the Sun, Little Mountain, and Yalo. He is currently a professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic studies at New York University and editor in chief of the literary supplement of Beirut’s daily newspaper, An-Nahar. He lives in New York and Beirut.

1

Burj al-Salam (“Peace Tower”) was the highest skyscraper in Beirut and was occupied by several contending militias during the war.

2

The bombing of the Phalangist Headquarters in Ashrafiyyeh, September 14, 1982, took the life of President-elect Bashir Jumayyil.

3

A strained yogurt paste eaten as a dip with bread.

4

“The Leader” is Abd al-Karim Qasim, who governed Iraq between 1958 and 1963.

5

Haj Amin al-Huseini was mufti of Jerusalem (1921), president of the Supreme Muslim Council in Palestine, and leader of the Palestine nationalist movement.

6

Tripoli is the second largest city in Lebanon, located on the sea and famous for its fresh fish markets.

7

Al-Fatiha is the opening sura of the Qur’an, customarily read at social occasions such as marriage contracts, visiting the dead, and so on.

8

Al-Akhtal is one of the three famous Umayyad poets who professed his Christianity openly and entered the caliph’s palace wearing a big cross.

9

In colloquial Lebanese, kabbout means “coat,” but it is also the word used for condom.