Prominent American author Rebecca F Kuang has publicly withdrawn from the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in Dubai, aligning herself with the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement’s call to boycott the United Arab Emirates. The decision stems from the UAE’s alleged involvement in the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
In an Instagram story posted Monday, Kuang shared her formal communication with event organizers, stating she is ‘no longer able to travel to Dubai’ for the festival. The author emphasized her consistent respect for ‘organized calls for cultural boycotts against genocide from communities affected.’ She specifically referenced her adherence to ‘the Palestinian BDS National Committee’s recent call given the mass atrocities in Sudan.’
The literary festival receives sponsorship from multiple government-affiliated entities, including the Investment Corporation of Dubai (identifying as the government’s ‘principal investment arm’), the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism.
Kuang’s announcement followed significant social media criticism highlighting the apparent contradiction between her literary focus on colonial themes and her planned participation in the UAE-based event. Critics questioned the authenticity of her written works concerning colonization, forced labor, and displacement given her initial acceptance to headline the January festival.
Middle East Eye has documented the UAE’s alleged role in supplying arms to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, which stands accused of ethnic cleansing and mass killings. In April 2025, the Sudanese government filed an International Court of Justice case against the UAE, alleging complicity in genocide.
This development coincides with growing global attention on the UAE’s foreign policy actions. In November, the Palestinian BDS National Committee issued a statement drawing parallels between tactics used in Gaza and Sudan, specifically calling for boycotts of Emirati institutions. The movement has previously successfully pressured international artists, including American rapper Macklemore in 2024, to cancel UAE appearances.
On Tuesday, academic and cultural workers formally launched the ‘Cultural and Academic Boycott of the UAE’ campaign (TAGATU3), gaining signatures from prominent figures like Angela Davis and Hatem Bazian. The initiative urges rejection of funding and collaborations with Emirati government entities and complicit institutions.