MEMO hosts event to remember Jamal Khashoggi

The Middle East Monitor (MEMO), in association with Al Sharq Forum, is hosting an international memorial in honour of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The event will be held tomorrow evening with many prominent journalists, politicians and rights activists expected to take part.

Jamal, a leading journalist and columnist on the MENA, and an outspoken critic of the Saudi regime, was killed on 2 October at the consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, Turkey. His gruesome murder, which Saudi admitted to after initially denying any knowledge of his disappearance, has grabbed the attention of the world.

Representatives from various news agencies including Al Jazeera, the Guardian, Middle East Eye, as well as senior figures from Human Rights Watch and members of the journalistic and broadcasting community will speak at the public event in Westminster billed as “Remembering Jamal”. Former chair of the House of Commons defence select committee and MP for Reigate, Surrey, Crispin Blunt is also expected to speak.

Khashoggi was one of the most experienced and accomplished journalists of his generation. His professional interests extended far beyond that of his native Saudi Arabia, from Sudan and Algeria to Afghanistan and Palestine. His last public appearance was at an event organised by MEMO a month ago to mark the 25th anniversary of the Oslo Accords.

While celebrating the life of Khashoggi, organisers are also hoping to shed light on the issues that he fought for during his life. “Freedom of expression, integrity in public office, good governance, accountability and transparency were all issues close to his heart,” said MEMO Director Dr Daud Abdullah. According to Abdullah, who knew Khashoggi personally, the Washington Post journalist “had a desire to see the region’s wealth fairly distributed and equal opportunity for all its peoples”.

Speaking of the impact of his death, Abdullah added: “Jamal Khashoggi may have been silenced physically but his memory and his thoughts will have a lasting and enlightened impact on young people in the region and journalists across the world.”

If you’d like to attend the memorial, sign up here.