Sydney Muslim Writers Festival: Omar Musa for Opening Night

Join us for the opening night of the Sydney Muslim Writers Festival, celebrating the power of Muslim voices and honouring the diverse writers and stories that shape who we are.

In conversation, Samah Sabawi and Eda Gunaydin reflect on what it means to write beyond the noise of contemporary discourse. Their discussion explores how literature can cut through excess opinion to amplify voices rooted in knowledge, accountability, and care. Together, they consider exile, inheritance, intergenerational trauma, and the ethical responsibilities of writers navigating political and cultural rupture.

The evening will also feature a performance by Omar Musa. An author, visual artist and poet from Queanbeyan, Australia, Omar has written two novels (including Fierceland, winner of the 2026 Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Fiction), three poetry collections, five hip-hop records, and two plays – Since Ali Died and The Offering (A Plastic Ocean Oratorio). His work has appeared in The Best Australian Stories and The Best of Australian Poems.