Mostafa Al-A'sar
BIO
Biography

Award-winning exiled journalist, writer, researcher, filmmaker and human rights defender with 15+ years of experience investigating press freedom, political repression, and risks facing journalists.

Published internationally and currently based in Toronto.

Founder of REDWORD, a non-profit focused on defending freedom of expression.

Extensive experience documenting violations, working with at-risk communities, and collaborating with international advocacy networks.

Trained in trauma-sensitive journalism, digital security, and hostile environment safety.

Featured in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, The Walrus, New Lines Magazine, Al-Jazeera, TIMEP among others.

A former political prisoner who spent 4 years behind bars in Egypt.

M.A. Journalism (In Progress) - Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) — Canada

 

ADDRESS
City: Toronto, Province/Territory: Ontario
EMAIL
GENRE
Journalism, academic, fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, political-fiction, sci-fi
LANGUAGES
English, Arabic
PUBLICATIONS
Publications
Title
On State, Prison and Exile
Publisher
Josour
Year
2026
Title
Imprisoning a Revolution: Writings from Egypt's Incarcerated - Collective Antigone
Publisher
University of California Press
Year
2025
AWARDS
Awards
Name
Excellence in Journalism in Exile
Publication
Free Speech Centre
Year
2026
Name
Journalists for Human Rights (JHR)/The Walrus Contributing Writer Fellowship
Publication
The Walrus
Year
2025
Name
The William Southam Journalism Fellowship at the university of Toronto
Publication
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE)/Massey College
Year
2024/2025
Name
Samir Kassir Press Freedom Award
Year
2024
Name
The Social Science and Humanities Council of Canada (SSHRC)
Year
2025/2026
LINKS
Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mostafaalasar/
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
EQUITY INITIATIVE
As part of the Union’s Equity Implementation Plan, we are committed to increasing awareness of authors who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, LGBTQI2S, or living with a disability. This author identifies as:
Members who identify as:
Black, Indigenous, and/or racialized
Living with a disability
Programs & Interests
Interested in participating Union’s Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program:
All members are eligible for the Union’s Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program. Are you interested in participating in this pro
Yes
Interested in participating in the Northern Ontario WITS program:
The Union’s Northern Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program funds in-person visits to northern Ontario schools when possible. Ar
Yes