Ibrahim Al Koni is a Libyan writer of Tuareg origin. Brought up in the nomadic tradition of his desert people, he learned Arabic at the age of twelve and later studied comparative literature at the Maxim Gorky Literature Institute. He is currently resident in Switzerland. His books have been translated into 35 languages, including titles available in English, French and German.

In February 2008, Ibrahim Al Koni won the Sheikh Zayed Book Award for Literature, awarded for “his unique creative style and the human and poetical aspects he has added to Arabic literature” in his book Call What Was Far. His other awards include the French Order for Literature and Arts (2006) and the Award of the Swiss State (1995).