Through their prose and poetry, writers reflect on the idea of the ”bona fide relationship”—the term the Supreme Court used in 2017 to grant an exception on President Trump’s travel ban. Who counts as close family in the eyes of the state? How do our relationships transcend those recognized by the court? These readings shed light on the ways that individual writers and communities wrestle with an ongoing effort to undermine their sense of belonging.

Moderated by Zaina Arafat, Hazem Fahmy, Raad Rahman, and Sobia Khan.

Zaina Arafat is an Arab American writer. Her work has appeared in Granta, The New York Times, Virginia Quarterly Review, The Believer, The Washington Post, BuzzFeed, and Vice. She holds an MFA from Iowa and an MA from Columbia. Her debut novel is forthcoming. She curated the Bona Fide portfolio.

Hazem Fahmy is a poet, playwright, and critic from Cairo. He is an honors graduate of Wesleyan University’s College of Letters where his senior thesis play Barzakh received High Honors. His poetry has been recognized by a Best of the Net nomination as well as by the Watering Hole.

Raad Rahman is a writer, journalist, and human rights advocate whose writing includes topics of literature, modern Islam, child rights, and reportage on counterterrorism in South Asia.

Sobia Khan PhD is Dean for Academic Success at San Antonio College. She has published academic essays, translations and short stories on the American Muslim experience. She is a VONA fellow in fiction with Junot Diaz and a fellow of the Banff Center. Presently, she is completing her novel.