Current Press Release

TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Library will host author, poet, and Iraqi refugee Faleeha Hassan at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10 at the Toms River Branch.

Hassan, also known as the Maya Angelou of Iraq, has published more than 20 books, several plays, novels, and many short stories. Her work has been translated into more than 14 languages and her story was profiled in the March edition of Oprah Winfrey’s magazine.

The writer will share the challenges of being a female poet in a patriarchal society and her story of escaping Iraq with her two children after her name was put on a hit list by local militants. She will also discuss several new writing projects.

Hassan became a United States citizen last year.

A Q&A session and book signing will follow the program.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ocean County Library – Toms River.

The branch is located at 101 Washington Street.

Registration is required for this free program. To register, call the branch at 732-349-6200 or visit theoceancountylibrary.org/events.

10-01-2018-refugee.pdf