Hear Omar El Akkad discuss his searing work, 'One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This' with host Tasneem Chopra.

Sparked by his viral tweet during the bombardment of Gaza – viewed over 10 million times – Omar El Akkad’s 'One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This' lays bare the fractures he has seen in the West’s empty promises of freedom and justice. 

In this timely session, the Egyptian-Canadian novelist and journalist reflects on how events like the Black Lives Matter protests, the escalating climate crisis and the violence in the Middle East have reshaped his understanding of migration, power and inequality and forced him to confront what it means to live in a West that has betrayed its fundamental values.  

Praised by Richard Flanagan as ‘a howl from the heart of our age’, El Akkad’s book explores exactly how the West has failed and offers hope for a way forward.

Originally presented on Wednesday 22 October 2025 by The Wheeler Centre.

The official bookseller was Amplify Bookstore.

Featured music is 'City Phases' by John Abbot.

Hear Omar El Akkad discuss his searing work, 'One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This' with host Tasneem Chopra.
Sparked by his viral tweet during the bombardment of Gaza &ndash; viewed over 10 million times &ndash; Omar El Akkad&rsquo;s 'One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This' lays bare the fractures he has seen in the West&rsquo;s empty promises of freedom and justice.&nbsp;
In this timely session, the Egyptian-Canadian novelist and journalist reflects on how events like the Black Lives Matter protests, the escalating climate crisis and the violence in the Middle East have reshaped his understanding of migration, power and inequality and forced him to confront what it means to live in a West that has betrayed its fundamental values.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Praised by Richard Flanagan as &lsquo;a howl from the heart of our age&rsquo;, El Akkad&rsquo;s book explores exactly how the West has failed and offers hope for a way forward.
Originally presented on Wednesday 22 October 2025 by The Wheeler Centre.
The official bookseller was Amplify Bookstore.
Featured music is 'City Phases' by John Abbot.

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