Saudi Author causes Frenzy at Rabat Book Fair, Attendance Soars to 23,000 in One Day

Discover the frenzy at Rabat Book Fair as Saudi author Osama Muslim draws crowds with his novel 'Fear.' Experience the excitement and stampede firsthand.

on May 13, 2024

Saudi Author causes Frenzy at Rabat Book Fair, Attendance Soars to 23,000 in One Day | Frontlist

The crowd formed enormous queues to view the Saudi content creator, who was promoting his novel "Fear."

On Saturday, the Rabat International Book Fair experienced a fan frenzy as Saudi novelist Osama Muslim's book signing event drew such large crowds that fair managers had to intervene.

The rapid influx of visitors reached a stunning 23,000 in one day, compared to an average of 8,000 per day.

Osama Muslim, a relatively obscure person in literary circles outside Saudi Arabia, had a big influence during the show.

The large throng produced mayhem, prompting security at the International Book and Publishing Fair in Rabat to halt the signing ceremony. Overcrowding led to a stampede and fainting among fans.

The Saudi writer posted on his social media pages that event security had asked him to leave the expo, and he apologized to his followers and readers.

The gathering, which included both young people and women, formed long lines to view the Saudi content producer, who was promoting his novel "Fear" on his social media platform.

Born in Al-Ahsa City in 1977, Muslim spent his early years in the United States before returning to Saudi Arabia to further his education. With a foundation in English literature, he has subsequently built out a name for himself as a prolific writer, having published an impressive 17 novels to date.

His major works include the "Fear" trilogy and the "Gardens of Arabia" saga, both of which attracted readers with their innovative tales and excellent storytelling.

Observers believe that the author's newfound celebrity stems from the attention he garnered from online influencers on social media sites such as TikTok and Instagram.