Our story · قصتنا
Named after a poet, built for readers.
Abu al-Tayyib al-Mutanabbi was one of the greatest poets of the Arabic language. Centuries later, his name was given to Al-Mutanabbi Street in Baghdad: a lane of booksellers, printers and cafés that has been the beating heart of the city's literary life for generations.
We're bringing that spirit online: a marketplace where independent booksellers, publishers and readers can buy, sell and discover books, in Arabic, English and every language in between.
- 915–965
The poet
Abu al-Tayyib al-Mutanabbi writes some of the most quoted verses in the Arabic language.
- 1932
The street
A lane of booksellers in old Baghdad is named Al-Mutanabbi Street in his honour.
- Today
The marketplace
We bring the spirit of the street online, for readers and booksellers everywhere.
أعزُّ مكانٍ في الدُّنى سرجُ سابحٍ
وخيرُ جليسٍ في الزمانِ كتابُ