The afikra Podcast

The Secrets of Ancient Egypt: Dynasties, Pyramids & Pharaohs | Egyptologist Aidan Dodson

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 6 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000

What made Egypt the longest-surviving country in the world? Aidan Dodson is a professor and author of over 30 books and helps us explore fundamental shifts in our understanding of ancient Egypt. The discussion spans the civilization's long run, from the unification around 3000 BC—a feat commemorated by the crucial Narmer Palette—until Christianity began to erode its religious and linguistic foundations around 300 AD. Dodson examines the Pyramid Era, explaining these structures as magical machines designed to transition the dead king into a god. He also covers the rise of the sun cult and the political power of female pharaohs, including Nefertiti, whose historical importance lies in her role negotiating the religious transition from Akhenaten's revolution to Tutankhamun's return to tradition. The episode concludes with Dr. Dodson's top archaeological discoveries he wishes he had witnessed.

00:00 Introduction

01:30 A Passion for Egyptology

02:47 How Ancient Egypt is Presented to Young Audiences

03:47 Defining the Span of Ancient Egypt

04:21 The Unification of Egypt

08:18 Narmer: The Unifier of Egypt

09:56 Daily Life in Early Ancient Egypt

11:31 The Political Center: Memphis

12:57 Knowing the Personalities of Ancient Rulers

15:48 The Narmer Palette and the Discovery of Human Sacrifice

24:29 The Dawn of the Pyramid Era

27:44 Imhotep: Djoser’s Right-Hand Man

30:38 Sneferu: The Greatest Pyramid Builder

33:36 The Purpose of the Pyramids

38:35 The Elevation of the Sun Cult

40:34 The Pyramid Texts and Egyptian Religion

44:49 The Female Pharaohs

49:25 Nefertiti: From Glamour to Political Power

53:57 Dr. Dodson’s Top Archaeological Moments

54:50 The Discovery of Tutankhamun’s Tomb

01:00:04 The Imperial Relationship of Ancient Egypt and Nubia

01:03:17 The Nubian Pharaoh

Aidan Dodson is honorary full professor of Egyptology in the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology at the University of Bristol, and has authored some thirty books. He was also Simpson Professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo in 2013, and Chair of the Egypt Exploration Society during 2011–16. Awarded his PhD by the University of Cambridge in 2003, he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 2003.

Connect with Aidan Dodson 👉 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/aidan-dodson-57179434

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
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Inheriting a Legacy and a Platform | Najla Said

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000

As the daughter of the renowned intellectual Edward Said, Najla Said discusses the unique pressures of navigating her family's legacy while forging her own creative voice in the shadow of his immense influence. The conversation explores her journey from attempting to assimilate into American culture as a youth to confronting her heritage during a pivotal trip to Palestine and Lebanon. Said details her entry into professional theater and the development of her acclaimed one-woman show, Palestine, which grew from an intimate journal entry. She also offers a personal perspective on her father's moral backbone, the impact of recent global events on her sense of safety in New York, and the evolution of her activism through new collaborative theater projects. The discussion touches on the enduring intimacy of her memoir, Looking for Palestine, and how sharing her inner monologue has helped her find a community based on genuine solidarity.

0:00 Introduction
1:37 Childhood Stories and Typewritten Plays
2:54 Growing Up in the Shadow of Intellectual Giants
7:23 The Weight of Family Legacy
10:00 Journaling and the Discovery of a Personal Voice
12:47 Acting, Identity, and Hollywood Reality Checks
20:36 Defining "Arab" through Theater
22:10 Navigating Identity Shifts: Lebanon, Palestine, and New York
33:32 Misunderstandings and the Moral Backbone of Edward Said
36:58 Current Work: Dialogue in a Time of Hostility
44:30 Erasing Legacy: Columbia University and Global Activism
47:40 Politics and Perception
52:14 Looking for Palestine: The Vulnerability of Memoir
56:56 Shedding the Need to Be Liked
58:07 Solidarity as the Greatest Expression of Love

Najla Said is a Palestinian-Lebanese-American actress, playwright, author, and activist, recognized for her memoir Looking for Palestine: Growing Up Confused in an Arab-American Family (2013), which chronicles her struggles with cultural identity amid a privileged New York City upbringing as the daughter of prominent Palestinian intellectual Edward W. Said and his Lebanese-born wife Mariam Cortas Said. Said initially distanced herself from her Arab heritage, assimilating into American and Jewish social circles while attending elite institutions like Dalton School and Princeton University, before a transformative trip to the Middle East prompted her to embrace Palestinian roots more fully. Said's career spans theater and performance, including her solo show Palestine, which she has presented at over 25 high schools, colleges, and universities worldwide since its off-Broadway debut, addressing themes of diaspora, stereotyping, and Arab-American experiences. She has worked with New York institutions such as New York Theatre Workshop, The Public Theater, and Second Stage, and maintains affiliations like a "Usual Suspect" at NYTW. As an activist, Said advocates for Palestinian self-determination, drawing on her father's legacy of critiquing Western orientalism, though her public engagements, including support for campus protests, reflect a personal evolution from identity confusion to vocal solidarity with causes tied to her heritage.

Connect with Najla Said 👉 https://instagram.com/kittybubble

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The Maghreb Generation: Militant Artists & Pan-African Postcolonial Future | Paraska Tolan-Szkilnik

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

We explore the interconnected artistic and political lives of figures from the Maghreb and the Black diaspora who collaborated in North Africa from the mid-1950s to the late 1970s, forming what our guest calls the Maghreb Generation, and cover the iconic 1969 Pan-African Festival of Algiers, where cultural figures like Nina Simone and political groups like the Black Panthers were present. Assistant Professor of History at Cornell University and author of "Maghreb Noir: The Militant Artist of North Africa and the Struggle for a Pan-African Postcolonial Future," Dr. Paraska Tolan-Szkilnik discusses her work which re-centers artists and intellectuals from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia as key political actors in the mid-20th-century anti-colonial and pan-African movements. Dr. Tolan-Szkilnik explains how these militant artists (deeply influenced by thinkers like Frantz Fanon) championed a philosophy of continued, revolutionary decolonization beyond flag independence. The episode details the political and personal risks these activists faced, including imprisonment for figures like Moroccan poet Abdellatif Laâbi and the assassination of Algerian poet Jean Sénac. Finally, the conversation explores film as a revolutionary form of culture for the highly illiterate populace and the enduring legacy of this generation’s radical vision for South-South solidarity.

0:53 Introduction

1:37 The Path to Pan-Africanism and the Maghreb

5:51 The Pan-African Festival of Algiers (1969)

7:23 The Substance of Revolution: Beyond the Speeches

10:00 The African Union, Liberation Movements, and Algiers

12:47 Questions of Race and Algerian Reactions to Blackness

14:19 North Africa as One Entity and French Colonial Borders

16:40 Central Figures of the Maghreb Generation

23:34 Defining the "Militant Artist"

25:15 The Philosophical DNA: Continued Decolonization

26:38 Frantz Fanon as Intellectual Forefather

27:44 The Autocratic Grind: Exile, Jail, and Death

34:54 The Moroccan Poet Abdellatif Laâbi and Souffles

40:09 Film as Revolutionary Culture

45:48 Turning Away from the West

49:00 The Striking Life of Jean Sénac

53:11 Poetry of Enthusiasm and Disillusionment

Paraska Tolan-Szkilnik is a historian of 20th century Africa and the Middle East. She specializes in questions of race, gender, and sex in the post-colonial Maghreb. She has published in Jadaliyya, the Arab Studies Journal, World Art, Monde(s), The Markaz Review, and the International Journal of Middle East Studies, amongst others. Her first book "Maghreb Noir: The Militant-Artists of North Africa and the Struggle for a Pan-African, Post-colonial Future" (Stanford, 2023) tells the story of a group of militant-artists, some Maghrebi, others Angolan, Haitian, or American, who led Pan-African cultural and political projects out of the recently decolonized cities of Rabat, Algiers, and Tunis.

Connect with Paraska Tolan-Szkilnik 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/paraska-tolan-163846201

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Deep History of the Fertile Crescent to the Tigris & Euphrates Under the Ottomans | Faisal Husain

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Historian Faisal Husain wrote the book "Rivers of the Sultan: The Tigris and Euphrates in the Ottoman Empire" and in this episode, helps us explore the history of the Tigris and Euphrates. He argued for the necessity of understanding human history within the context of geological time, discussing the rivers' origins roughly 20 million years ago, tracing their influence on civilization from the "agricultural revolution" (which some scholars argue was a mistake leading to health issues) to the rise of early urban centers like the Sumerian cities. The conversation highlights the difference between the gentle Euphrates, which attracted early settlements, and the fast and unpredictable Tigris. Shifting to the Ottoman era, Husain examines the environmental challenges of Ottoman Iraq, which was poor in essential resources like grain, metal, and wood suited for construction, and details the extraordinary story of the Euphrates river changing its course in the late 1600s due to a poorly dug irrigation canal. He emphasizes the cultural importance of the palm tree and the vital role of water buffaloes, which made life possible for a quarter of the Iraqi population in the wetlands, whose fate would have otherwise been migration to seek resources and refuge elsewhere.

0:00 Introduction

1:47 When Did the Tigris and Euphrates Start?

3:04 The Importance of Deep History

5:49 Geological Origins: 20 Million Years Ago

7:37 When the Rivers Began to Matter to Homo Sapiens

10:40 The Rationale for Writing Deep History

12:00 Starting Middle East History Before 6th Century Arabia

14:45 The Difference Between the Twin Rivers

17:05 Why Sumerian Civilization Clustered on the Euphrates

20:36 Questioning the Agricultural Revolution

23:16 How Agriculture Began: Trial and Error

27:00 The Consequences of Taming Nature

30:40 The Ottoman Conquest of Iraq

32:20 Why Iraq Was Environmentally Poor for a Major Power

36:06 Iraq’s Default Status Under Iranian States

38:25 Baghdad in the 16th Century

42:25 The Euphrates Shifts Course (Late 1600s)

47:09 Water Buffaloes: The Essential Technology of the Wetlands

49:28 Ranking the Most Important Crops

51:03 Evliya Çelebi: The Traveler

54:49 Ottoman vs. European Traveler Perspectives

58:35 The Book Cover: Baghdad on the Tigris

Faisal Husain is an environmental historian of the Ottoman Empire, with a geographical focus on its eastern provinces in Anatolia and Iraq and a temporal focus on the early modern period. His first book "Rivers of the Sultan" examined the role of the Tigris and Euphrates in the establishment of Ottoman state institutions in the Ottoman eastern borderland between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. His second book project is an environmental history of Ottoman frontier expansion east of the Euphrates during the sixteenth century. He is co-editing a book on the global histories of animals (under contract with Oxford University Press) with Emily Wakild (Boise State University) and Nancy Jacobs (Brown University). In 2024-2025, he served as a senior lecturer at Boğaziçi University’s Department of History in Istanbul through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. He serves on several editorial boards, including those of Marmara Türkiyat Araştırmaları Dergisi (Marmara University), Global Environment (White Horse Press), and the “Middle East Environmental Histories” book series (Leiden University Press).

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Graphic Design & the Arab Creative Inflection Point | Ruba Abu-Nimah

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Award-winning creative director Ruba Abu-Nimah (known to many as @ruba on Instagram) discusses the state of creativity in the Arab world, the importance of young Arab talent embracing their culture, and the challenges of navigating corporate spaces as a Palestinian in the West. She talks about the foundational skills of graphic design, the vital role of design in communication, spaces and politics, and about her career so far. She also shares her strong belief that the Arab world is now the next frontier in global creativity.

0:00 Introduction

1:46 Passion For Graphic Design and Swiss Modernism

3:05 The Difference Between Past and Present Graphic Design Education

4:45 The Craft of Graphic Design and the Importance of Traditional Language

6:00 First Gig: Disruptive Innovation at French Glamour

8:02 Ingredients for Success: Passion, Nerdiness and London's Creative Influence

12:48 Defining Graphic Designer vs Creative Director

14:40 Graphic Design as the Foundation of Communication

15:40 The Subjectivity of Taste and the Role of Instinct

17:50 Design in the Arab World: Considered Cities vs Chaos

21:45 The Arab Creative Inflection Point: Youth, Voice and New Trends

22:47 Rejecting Emulation: Talent Rooted in Culture and Heritage

24:34 The Arab World Is the Next Frontier in Creativity

25:17 Navigating Prominent Positions as a Palestinian

26:35 Hiding in Plain Sight: The Forced Negation of Arab Origins

28:24 "Loud and Proud": The Momentum of the Arab Diaspora Today

30:21 The Prevailing Attitude: a Son's Act of Defiance

33:47 Corporate America vs Street Change

36:09 Corporate Structures Will Eventually Catch Up With Culture

40:03 The Brilliance of the Mamdani Campaign Design

41:17 Conspicuous Consumption vs Useful Design

48:45 Relationship With Social Media Platforms: Instagram and the Unhinged Threads

50:51 Instagram's Value: Finding and Commissioning Creatives

53:23 The Sweetest Revenge: Upscrolled and the Irony of Palestinian Tech Success

54:00 Recommendations: Arab Creatives To Look Up

Ruba Abu-Nimah is a Swiss creative executive of Palestinian descent who has worked in the fashion and cosmetic industries. She was the executive creative director for marketing and communications at Tiffany & Co. from March 2021 to February 2023. She previously worked at Revlon, Elle magazine, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, and Shiseido. She was the first female creative director at Elle magazine in the US. In 2018, Ruba collaborated with Nike to design the Air Force 1 Low "Love" shoe embodying equality and acceptance. She has collaborated with Phillip Lim on the New York Tougher Than Ever initiative, as well as a limited-edition sweatshirt to raise funds for Lebanon following the 2020 Beirut explosion.

Connect with Ruba Abu-Nimah 👉

https://instagram.com/ruba

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The Science of Teaching: Addressing the Global Education Crisis | ⁠Dr Asyia Kazmi

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 9 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

We delve into the stark realities of learning inequality, the crucial role of the science of teaching, and the transformative power of education, even in the face of conflict. Dr. Asyia Kazmi, CEO of WISE (World Innovation Summit for Education), an organization that is part of the Qatar Foundation, helps us explore the challenges and solutions in global education. As a former math teacher, Dr. Kazmi offers specific, evidence-based strategies for improving learning outcomes — including the concept of structured pedagogy — and discusses the nuances of AI and education, urging caution and the need for region-specific, full-stack solutions. Dr. Kazmi emphasizes that improving learning (not just access to schooling) must be the primary goal for policy. She confronts the notion that poverty is an insurmountable barrier to educational success, asserting that educators have a deep responsibility to provide a pathway out of poverty for low-income students. The conversation also delves into the unique challenges of the Arab world, highlighting the 60% learning poverty rate in our region.

This episode was produced in collaboration with Qatar Foundation.

Find out more about WISE 👉 wise-qatar.org

0:00 Introduction

2:01 From Classroom Teacher to Education Policy

6:03 Challenging Assumptions: Pedagogy Is a Science

10:18 The Focus on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy

16:42 Teacher Responsibility to Overcome Poverty

21:49 Education Challenges in the Arab World

26:14 Resilience and Integrity: Lessons from Gaza

30:28 The Perils and Promise of AI in Education

39:35 Leveraging AI to Support Teachers

44:44 The Secrets of Successful Education Systems

Dr. Asyia Kazmi brings over 30 years of experience in education across government, philanthropy, and international development, with a distinguished track record of improving learning outcomes for underserved communities. Before joining Qatar Foundation, she served as the Global Education Policy Lead at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she helped create a global edtech and AI portfolio that positively impacted 2.5 million children. She began her career as a mathematics teacher and teacher coach before moving into leadership roles in the public and private sectors. At PwC, she led the UK government’s $1 billion Girls’ Education Challenge, supporting 1.5 million girls across 17 countries. She has also served in senior roles across three UK Government departments, including as Senior Education Adviser at DFID, Project Director at the Department for Education, and Her Majesty’s Senior Inspector at Ofsted. She holds a Master’s in Applied Mathematics from Imperial College London, a Doctorate in Education from University College London, and two PGCEs in mathematics teaching and leadership development. She was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 2022 New Year’s Honours List for her contributions to girls’ education.

Connect with Asyia Kazmi 👉

https://instagram.com/wiseqatar

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⁠Innovation Rooted in Culture: On Deep Tech, Brain Drain & Impact | ⁠Rama Chakaki

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 4 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

The president of the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), discusses her unique vision for innovation in the Arab world, emphasizing the crucial need to tie technological advancement to our roots, culture, heritage, and fundamental needs. Rama Chakaki shares insights from her career, which is defined by bridging the gap between impact and financial return, and explains QSTP's role as a platform for global innovation, nurturing deep-tech companies in sectors like AI, robotics, and biotech, with a focus on impact. The discussion delves into the pervasive "brain drain" phenomenon, with Chakaki observing a "reverse brain drain" as Arabs return to Doha and the region due to safety, resource availability, and a culture of belonging. She champions a bottom-up approach to innovation and addresses common misconceptions about Arab women in tech, highlighting their high representation in tech degrees and leadership roles. Finally, Chakaki challenges the Silicon Valley "unicorn" model, advocating for a community-built "elephant" model that prioritizes the double or triple bottom line—caring for people, the environment, and financial returns.

Explore Qatar Science and Technology Park 👉 https://qstp.qa/

This episode was produced in collaboration with Qatar Foundation.

01:33 Introduction

02:55 Defining Deep Tech

04:08 An Innovative Vision for the Arab Region

07:38 The Communal Education Framework

10:59 The State of Innovation: Green, Yellow, and Red Lights

13:42 Blending Impact and Financial Return

18:57 The Global Phenomenon of Brain Drain

26:43 QSTP's Global Mandate

28:37 Examples of Culturally Rooted Innovation

36:18 The "Elephant" Model and Triple Bottom Line

44:00 The Risk of Free Products and Data

48:15 Misconceptions About Arab Women In Tech

51:26 Advice To Her Younger Self

55:16 Suggested Reading

Syrian-American Impact Tech Entrepreneur, Investor and philanthropist, Rama Chakaki is the president of the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP). Prior to her role at QSTP, she was a partner at Transform VC, a Silicon Valley firm enabling 1000 tech founders to impact a billion and make a billion by investing in deep tech with climate and social impact. Rama was instrumental in building the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Middle East. In addition to her corporate roles, Rama runs an edTech nonprofit (VIP.fund) supporting youth impacted by conflict. Rama has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, the Monitor, Arab Women Rising, a Wharton School of Business Publication and The power of presence, a book by Joy Moore.

Connect with Rama Chakaki 👉

https://instagram.com/rchakaki

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Founder of Mille World Sofia Guellaty | Fashion, Soft Power & the New Arab Identity

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000

The unifying youth culture across the Arab region is characterized by a proud new Arab identity and the changing standards of beauty with the rise of "Arab beauty" (A beauty), which celebrates Arab features and aesthetics. The founder of Mille World and Mille Creative, Sofia Guellaty, talks about her journey launching the first Arab youth platform in the Arab world, the role of media professionals as "editors of conversations," and the emergence of a new, proud Arab identity among both Gen Z and millennials. She discusses how she uses fashion and pop culture as a tool for "soft power" to talk about liberation, representation, and diversity, moving away from superficial content. She reflects on her early career, her shift from being fascinated by the West to "unbashedly proud to be Arab," and the challenges faced by Arab talent, including visa issues and the lack of an Arab-centric market. The conversation also delves into how her platform, Mille World, aims to address the lack of authentic Arab youth representation by giving a voice to young creatives who want to define their own stories, not be perceived through a "western gaze".

Explore Mille World 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mille_world/

0:00 Introduction

2:06 The First Arab Youth Platform

3:51 Media Consumption and Identity & Obsession with the West

7:20 Fashion’s Role: Beyond Clothes to Communication Techniques

10:47 Becoming Editors of Conversations

18:47 Representation in Modeling: the Arab Face

20:07 Barriers for Arab Talent: Visa Issues and Market Size

24:46 Structurally Flawed Media and the Need for Critique

29:27 The Complexities of Arab Identity and Community

34:04 The Unifying New Arab Identity and Its Pillars

36:16 Changing Standards: The Rise of Arab Beauty

40:56 Cultural Blind Spots and Local Talent in the Region

45:00 Homegrown Talent Shaping the New Narrative

49:14 Fixing the Creative Industries with Unlimited Capital

52:57 Stories of Pride: Being the Torchbearer of Anti-Colonial Sentiment

Sofia Guellaty is the founder and creative director of Mille World, a digital magazine that chronicles Arab youth culture and style currents. She has grown the Dubai-based business into a cultural platform covering art, fashion, beauty, music and travel scenes across the Middle East and North Africa, featuring bold storytelling and sharp commentary from underrepresented voices in both Arabic and English. Under Guellaty’s leadership, Mille has become a vital alternative voice in the Arabic media landscape and a refreshing read for Gen Z and Millennials across the region. Blending her sleek editorial vision with fearless cultural commentary and an unconventional perspective, Mille explores everything from Libyan streetwear to Palestinian DJs and Lebanese jewellery designers. Beyond her editorial work, Guellaty serves as a board member of Fashion Trust Arabia and operates Mille Creative, a Dubai- and Riyadh-based marketing and creative agency producing campaigns for global brands. She launched Mille in 2017 after serving as editor of Condé Nast’s first Middle East venture, Style.com/Arabia, while contributing to Vanity Fair France. Born and raised in Tunisia, Guellaty began her media career in Paris, freelancing for Elle France and later publishing her novel ‘Le Sablier’.

Connect with Sofia Guellaty 👉

https://instagram.com/sofiaguellaty

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A History of Algeria & the Worlds of Islam | Professor James McDougall

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000

The conversation covers the historical emergence of Algeria as a political and territorial unit, starting in the Ottoman period in the 16th century. Key pivotal moments in Algerian history are highlighted, including French colonialism beginning in 1830, which led to a settler colonial project, the rise of the modern mass nationalist movement in the interwar period, the War of National Liberation (1954–1962), and the decade of violence in the 1990s. The latter half of the conversation focuses on the "Worlds of Islam," emphasizing a polycentric history with no single center. A historian, professor at the University of Oxford, and author of books "A History of Algeria" and "The Worlds of Islam: A Global History", James McDougall details the diverse "technologies" of Islam's spread, including its compelling initial mission, the appeal of social mobility for non-Arabs, trade networks, and the influence of Sufism. He also discusses the historical roots of Islamophobia, which is traced to the 19th-century colonial moment. He discusses why he was drawn to studying Algeria, a country he notes is often ignored in Middle East studies and is known as "the land of a million martyrs" for its iconic history of resistance to colonialism.

0:00 Introduction

2:08 Intellectual Curiosity and Addressing Poor Understanding of the Region

7:37 When Did Algeria Begin to Exist? Debunking the Colonial Narrative

12:38 Pivotal Moments in Algerian History

13:48 The Ottoman Period (16th–19th Century) and Connection to the Levant

16:29 Settler Colonialism Under the French (1830 Onwards)

19:46 The War of National Liberation (1954–1962)

20:41 The Violence of the 1990s

21:35 Is the War of Independence Connected to the 1990s Civil Strife?

23:34 The Legacy of French Colonial Misunderstanding and Racism

31:27 Algeria as an Anti-Colonial Symbol Across the Arab World

32:18 Leadership of the Algerian Revolution

38:37 The Worlds of Islam: A Polycentric Global History

46:05 Technologies of Islam's Spread

49:18 Muslims as a Minority in the Middle East After the Early Conquests

53:15 Why Islam Did Not Spread Everywhere Earlier

55:20 The Historical Development of Islamophobia

Readings on Global history and Islamic history:

Josephine Quinn, How the World Made the West: A 4000 Year History (2024)

Cemil Aydin, The Idea of the Muslim World: A Global Intellectual History (2017)

Readings on Algeria:

Natalya Vince, The Algerian War, the Algerian Revolution (2020)

Malika Rahal, Algérie 1962, une histoire populaire (2022)

Jeffrey James Byrne, Mecca of Revolution: Algeria, Decolonization, and the Third World Order (2016)

Thomas Serres, The Suspended Disaster: Governing by Crisis in Bouteflika’s Algeria (2023)

Muriam Haleh Davis, Markets of Civilization: Islam and Racial Capitalism in Algeria (2022)

Christopher Silver, Recording History: Jews, Muslims and Music across 20th century North Africa (2022)

Sara Rahnema, The Future is Feminist: Women and Social Change in Interwar Algeria (2023)

Arthur Asseraf, Electric News in Colonial Algeria (2019)

James Robert McDougall is a British historian and Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at the University of Oxford and Laithwaite Fellow in History at Trinity College, Oxford. His research mainly addresses the modern and contemporary Mediterranean; Middle Eastern, African and Islamic history, especially Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco, but also the history of European imperialism in the Arab world, modern Arab intellectual and political history, and the global history of Islam since c.1700; the French colonial empire in Africa; the Sahara; nationalism and revolutionary movements in Asia and Africa; comparative imperial history; historiography and critical theory.

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Textile Workers & the Syrian-American Working Class | Stacy D. Fahrenthold

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Discover the interconnectedness of peddling and factory work, the surprising origins of the Aloha shirt, and the key role Syrian workers played in major labor actions like the 1912 Bread and Roses strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Associate Professor of History at the University of California and author of "Unmentionables: Textiles, Garment Work, and the Syrian American Working Class" Dr. Stacy D. Fahrenthold discusses her work which offers a class-conscious history of the Syrian-American diaspora, a community of about half a million people in the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s. While the "peddler" is often the central figure and icon of this diaspora's economic history for over a century, Fahrenthold shifts the focus to the new immigrants who came to the U.S. and found work in the textile industries. The conversation explores the hidden role of Syrian-American garment workers, particularly young women, who produced goods like "kimonos", undergarments, stockings, and household textiles.

0:00 Introducing Unmentionables & Shifting the Icon from Peddler to Laborer

0:40 Lawrence, Massachusetts: The Second Largest Arab-American Community

1:48 Who Was The Syrian American Working Class?

2:41 The Gap in Arab-American Diaspora History

3:14 Textiles and Garment Work

4:50 The Peddler: Icon vs Reality

7:12 Labor Experience In The U.S. vs Greater Syria

8:50 Skilled Silk Weavers and First-Time Proletarians

10:14 Syrian Workers and Global Labor Movements

11:27 The Bread and Roses Strike of 1912

15:09 Dynamite, Arrests and Militarization of the Syrian Neighborhood

19:16 Scale of Syrian Immigration Compared to Other Groups

22:14 The Majority of Textile Workers Were Women

24:43 The Connection to the Silk Industry in Mount Lebanon

27:28 A Look Inside a Syrian-American Garment Factory

29:04 The Kimono: Branding and Orientalism

31:50 The Effacement of Origins in the Marketplace

35:36 Economic and Social Mobility For Syrian-American Families

39:03 The Legacy of Syrian-American Textile Companies

40:01 The Lebanese Origins of The Aloha Shirt

43:14 Marghab Linen and Racial Stereotyping

44:22 Geographic Dispersion of Syrian Communities

47:09 Illicit Activity and Contraband in the Diaspora

49:22 Recommended Readings In Arab-American History

Stacy Fahrenthold is a historian of the modern Middle East specializing in labor migration; displacement/refugees; border studies; and diasporas within and from the region. Her new book "Unmentionables: Textiles, Garment Work, and the Syrian American Working Class" examines how Syrian, Lebanese, and Palestinian immigrant workers navigated processes of racialization, immigration restriction, and labor contestation in the textile industries of the Atlantic world. It recently received the Middle East Studies Association's 2025 Nikki Keddie Award for "outstanding scholarly work in religion, revolution, and/or society." Her award-winning first book, "Between the Ottomans and the Entente: The First World War in the Syrian and Lebanese Diaspora" examines the politics of Syrian and Lebanese migration to the Americas during the First World War, the fall of the Ottoman Empire, and the rise of European Mandates in the Middle East. Fahrenthold is Associate Editor of Mashriq & Mahjar: Journal of Middle Eastern and North African Migration Studies.

Connect with Stacy D. Fahrenthold 👉

https://instagram.com/sdfahrenthold

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Julia Elyachar | On the Semicivilized: Coloniality, Finance & Embodied Sovereignty in Cairo

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The discussion covers the evolving role of debt as an instrument of empire, the emergence of sovereign wealth funds, and the ways financial instruments and flows of money subtly shape political realities and people's lives in the region. Professor Elyachar discusses her latest book "On the Semicivilized: Coloniality, Finance, and Embodied Sovereignty in Cairo" and how she challenges the notion that global finance originated solely in the West. The conversation delves into the history of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and their role in economic development, particularly in "pushing debt as a form of development". A Professor of Anthropology at Princeton University whose work examines the intersection of finance, political economy, and the Arab world, Elyachar also shares her family's history as sarrafs (bankers/brokers) in Ottoman Palestine, and how this tradition sparked her interest in finance and economics. She also explains the historical legal category of the "semicivilized," a term used in international law to describe the Ottoman Empire and other non-European powers who were recognized as legitimate sovereigns.

01:13 Introduction

03:31 A Family History of Finance in Ottoman Palestine

06:52 Fieldwork in Cairo: Informal Economy and Debt

10:15 The Problem of NGOs and "NGOification"

15:53 Debt As an Instrument of Empire

23:28 Defining "Semicivilized"

37:57 The Central Question: Finance and Violence

50:12 The Rise of Sovereign Wealth Funds

56:11 Turning Debt Into Assets

Julia Elyachar is an anthropologist, political economist, and award winning author. She was trained in anthropology, economics, history of political and economic thought, political economy, social theory, Middle Eastern Studies, and Arabic language. She is an associate professor of anthropology at Princeton University, and associate professor at the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies. She is a Faculty Researcher with the Dignity and Debt network and serves on the Executive Boards of the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies, and the Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies. She has published the books "Markets of Dispossession: NGOs, Economic Development, and the State in Cairo" and "On the Semicivilized: Coloniality, Finance, and Embodied Sovereignty in Cairo" (2025).

Connect with Julia Elyachar 👉 https://twitter.com/JuliaElyachar

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

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Iraq: Eras of Rupture & the Illusions of Nostalgia | Zainab Saleh

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 8 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The discussion delves into the complex historical eras of Iraq, challenging binary understandings of its past and present. A professor at Haverford College and author of "Political Undesirables: Citizen Denaturalization and Reclamation in Iraq and Return to Ruin: Iraqi Narratives of Exile and Nostalgia", Zainab Saleh discusses how the Iraq she grew up in—during the Ba'ath Party reign and under Saddam Hussein—was a time of fear and repression, despite the earlier period of high hopes and political aspirations in the 1940s and 1950s. She explores the concept of nostalgia for the Saddam era, which exists even among those who suffered under the regime, because of the basic services that were provided. The conversation offers a nuanced timeline of modern Iraqi history, from World War I's role in creating Middle Eastern nation-states through the Ottoman and British rules, the monarchy, and the Ba'ath Party. A key focus is placed on the 1990s as a major turning point, with the 1991 bombardment and subsequent sanctions leading to the rapid deterioration of infrastructure, increased social problems like begging and corruption, and environmental collapse. We consider the argument that the Iran-Iraq War, the Gulf War, and the US invasion should be viewed as one long, continuous war. Saleh critiques the simplistic narrative that Americans brought to Iraq after 2003, arguing that it institutionalized a sectarian political system. She emphasizes that the American discourse—classifying Sunnis as loyalists and Shia or Kurds as oppressed—ignored the reality of mixed communities and complex political loyalties. Saleh explores the historical use of denaturalization in Iraq, a topic central to her latest book. She details how the British and subsequent Iraqi regimes used the pretext of "political undesirables" to strip citizens of their rights, citing examples such as Iraqi Jews in the 1950s and Iraqis of Iranian origin in the 1980s.

0:00 Introduction

1:50 When Did The Iraq You Grew Up In Start?

2:54 The High Hopes of the 1940s and 1950s

3:33 Nostalgia, Time, and Loss

7:09 The Broad Phases of Iraqi History

9:33 Cultural Renaissance Under the Monarchy

10:00 Vibrant Leftist Politics in the Monarchy Era

11:39 Nostalgia for the Monarchy

13:00 The Largest Effect on Daily Life: 1991 Bombardment and Sanctions

16:29 Connecting the Wars: One Long War

17:59 The Lead-up to Saddam's Invasion of Kuwait

19:33 The Vision of the Neoconservatives

20:40 Misunderstandings about US Imperialism

22:11 The Myth of Iraqi Sectarianism

23:24 The Institutionalization of a Sectarian System

25:27 The Role of the Iraqi Opposition Abroad

28:29 Phases of Post-2003 Iraq

29:12 The Civil War and Proxy War (2006-2008)

30:20 Displacement and the Reorganization of Iraqi Society

30:52 Social Mobilization: 2011 and the Tishreen Uprising (2019)

31:24 The Catastrophe of ISIS

34:29 The Problem with Nostalgic Photos

40:14 When One Dictator Becomes a Source of Nostalgia

41:16 The Book: Political Undesirables and Denaturalization

41:59 The Deportation of Iraqis of Iranian Origin (1980)

44:48 Denaturalization as a Systemic Pattern

48:19 Issuing Passports After World War I

51:00 The Expulsion of Iraqi Jews (1950)

51:25 Iraqi Jews as an Integral Part of Society

52:44 The Ancient History of Babylonian Jews

55:20 The Basis for Expulsion

58:19 Recommended Readings on Iraqi History

Zainab Saleh is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Haverford College and the author of books "Return to Ruin: Iraqi Narratives of Exile and Nostalgia" (2020) and "Political Undesirables: Citizenship, Denaturalization, and Reclamation in Iraq" (2025).

Connect with Zainab Saleh 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/zainab-saleh-669a7b253

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Art Doesn't Lie | Basel Dalloul on Archiving Arab Art & Decolonizing the Art Market

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 1 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000

We visit Basel Dalloul at the Dalloul Artist Collective to discuss the genesis of the Dalloul Art Foundation and the mission of the new artist collective. A technologist and lawyer by training, Basel shares his family’s journey into collecting art and the vision his father had for a Pan-Arab art collection in Beirut. They discuss how Arabism failed politically, but that culturally, the art from the region shows a great deal of sync and kinship, with artists empathizing with their Arab brethren. Central to the discussion is the role of art as an archive of history. Basel highlights the importance of Arab art as a reference site and how connecting artists from Morocco to Iraq reveals common themes that some may find inconvenient to tell. The conversation then shifts to the need to decolonize the art world, critiquing the tendency to celebrate Western art and seek validation from Western curators. Basel challenges the routine belief that Arab artists or art professionals are "not competent or good enough". He also addresses the broken global gallery system, which often dictates terms to artists and unfairly takes up to 50% of an artist's take. The mission of the Dalloul Artist Collective is to shift focus from the art to the artist, acting as an artist management agency to empower and educate the artist community.

0:00 Introduction

2:12 The Vision for the Dalloul Art Foundation: Pan-Arab Art

3:36 Relationship to Art Growing Up

5:55 Shifting from Western to Arab Art Collecting

8:45 Failure Is Not An Option

10:47 Authenticating Art and The Lack of a Reference Site for Arab Art

12:53 Organizing the Single Largest Private Collection of Modern Contemporary Arab Art

15:05 The Kinship of Arab Culture

17:57 Artists as Archivists of History

19:46 Beirut: A De Facto Cultural Hub With No Taboos

22:54 Critiquing the Celebration of Western Art Over Arab Art

25:57 Dalloul Artist Collective: Focusing on The Artist

27:18 The Broken Global Gallery System

32:11 The State of Art Collecting in The Arab World

35:56 Artists Basel Dalloul Adores

38:02 The Need to Educate the Arab Youth on Arab Artists

38:48 The Story Behind Ayman Baalbaki’s Moulatham

41:26 Empowering Artists with Transparency and Business Savvy

Basel Dalloul Founded the Dalloul Art Foundation in 2017 to manage and promote his father’s (Dr. Ramzi Dalloul) vast collection of modern and contemporary Arab art. At around 4000 pieces it is the largest collection of its kind in private hands. The collection includes but is not limited to paintings, photography, sculpture, video and mixed media art. Basel has had a passion for art since he was very young, inspired by both his mother and father, whom are also passionate about art in all its forms. Basel also founded NOOR Group in 2000 in response to the Egyptian government’s announced goal of becoming the hub of the information technology (IT) industry in the Middle East. As Chairman and CEO, he has set the overall direction of NOOR, bringing the first region-wide, full-service IT development program to the area. He holds a Bachelor of Science in finance from American University and a Juris Doctor and MBA from Georgetown University, both in Washington, DC. Basel also studied electrical engineering and computer science at Rice University in Houston, TX, and undertook comparative studies of American and British common law and procedural law at Oxford University in England. He co-taught a course in entertainment law and the Internet at Georgetown University Law Center and is a frequent speaker and seminar leader at IT conferences worldwide.

Connect with Bassel Dalloul 👉

https://instagram.com/dafbeirut

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Curator Hiba Abid | Niyū Yūrk at the New York Public Library

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Curator of "Niyū Yūrk: Middle Eastern and North African Lives in the City", Hiba Abid, joins us to talk about the exhibition, housed at the New York Public Library's iconic 42nd Street building, which challenges dominant narratives by presenting New York as a city deeply intertwined with Middle Eastern and North African history and culture. Abid delves into the diverse stories of immigration, the often-overlooked North African presence, and the revolution in Arabic publishing in New York. Through fascinating primary documents and personal stories, the discussion explores everything from the surprising origins of the Statue of Liberty to early 20th-century American citizenship guides published in Arabic, revealing the long, complex, and vibrant history of Arab and Middle Eastern communities in New York.

The exhibition remains until March 8, 2026. On December 5, is a Middle Eastern/North African take over of the flagship building of the NYPL that's not to be missed 👉https://www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/niyu-yurk

0:00 Introduction

1:18 Meet Hiba Abid and the NYPL Exhibition Title

2:16 The Exhibition's Core Idea and Historical Scope

5:41 Is New York a Middle Eastern City?

6:33 The Arab Roots of the Statue of Liberty

9:15 The 1910 Portrait of Mohamed Juda and Early Exclusion

12:34 Citizenship Guides for Early Arab Immigrants

16:45 Amplifying North African Stories in New York

20:47 Photography and a History of Arab Tattoos

24:19 The Explosion of Arabic Publishing in New York

28:27 Assimilation and Critique: Arab Views of America

31:14 "America Ya Hilwa": An Arab Immigrant's Bid for the US National Anthem

42:06 Salloum Mokarzel and the Arabic Linotype Revolution

43:25 A 1917 Menu from a Syrian Restaurant in New York

46:25 Confronting Anti-Arab Sentiment Through Archives

51:53 Upcoming NYPL Middle Eastern/North African Takeover Event

Hiba Abid oversees the New York Public Library’s collections of general and special materials produced in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and diasporic communities in the United States. Before joining NYPL, she taught courses on Islamic manuscripts and material culture at New York University’s Department of Art History and Institute of Fine Arts. She has also served as an Associate Researcher at the National Library of France, and contributed to exhibitions at the Louvre Museum, the Musée des Augustins, and Le 32bis: Center for Contemporary Art in Tunis. Hiba Abid received her MA in Art History from the Sorbonne University in Paris and PhD in Islamic Art History, Codicology and Philology from the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris.

Connect with Hiba Abid 👉

https://instagram.com/nypl_archives

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Bernard Khoury | On Karantina, Solidere & Practicing Architecture in Lebanon

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 09:00:00 +0000

We visited renowned architect Bernard Khoury in his studio in Karantina, who offered a critical, unvarnished look at the reality of practicing architecture in Lebanon, contrasting it with the sugarcoated story of the "Phoenix coming out of its ashes". He discusses his career beginnings, the 2020 Beirut port explosion, and how his first project—the infamous B018 nightclub—was a radically specific and necessary response to the city’s complex, macabre history and unstable political and economic context. Khoury shares his philosophical approach to architecture, which rejects stylistic gestures in favor of an obsession with specificity and a direct confrontation with Beirut's explosive nature, arguing for a practice that produces honest, if sometimes "sour" meaning in the present rather than succumbing to toxic simplifications.

00:00 The Sourness and Complexity of Beirut

01:23 Bernard Khoury's Karantina Studio and the Beirut Explosion

03:12 His First Project: B018 in Karantina

04:01 The Illusion and Disillusion of the Post-War Era

05:42 An Architect's Dilemma: Designing for an Expiry Date

12:56 Solidere, Immaterial Ownership, and a New Urbanism

15:44 The Cultural Significance of B018

17:05 B018's Site: A Macabre History

19:40 From Furniture Factory to Architecture Practice

22:52 Khalil Khouri: Modern Architect with Certainties

27:23 A Generational Difference in Practice

28:57 Rejected Labels: What Bernard Khoury Hates to Be Called...

31:41 Style vs. Specificity

36:00 Estrangement and Addiction to a Very Intense Environment

42:00 Bernard Khoury's Criticism of Solidere's Historical Narrative

Born in Beirut (1968), Bernard Khoury studied architecture at the Rhode Island school of Design (BFA 1990 / B.Arch 1991) and Harvard University (M.Arch 1993). He was awarded by the municipality of Rome, the Borromini Prize honorable mention given to architects under 40 years of age (2001), the Architecture + Award (2004), the CNBC Award (2008) and nominated for several awards including the Aga Khan award (2002 / 2004/ 2021), the Chernikov prize (2010) and the Mies van der Rohe Award (2021). He co-founded the Arab Center for Architecture (2008), was a visiting professor in several universities including the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and L’Ecole Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris. He has lectured and exhibited his work in over 150 institutions, including solo shows at the Aedes gallery in Berlin (2003), the Spazio per l’architecttura Milano (2016) and numerous group shows including YOU prison at the Fondazione Sandretto in Torino (2008), the opening show of the MAXXI museum in Roma (2010), the Frac Architecture Biennale in Orleans (2018), the Oris House of Architecture in Zagreb (2020) and the Architecture Biennale of Seoul (2021). He was the architect and co-curator of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s national pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale (2014). Over the years he has developed an international reputation and a diverse portfolio of projects in over fifteen countries. Khoury was nominated by the French Ministry of Culture Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (2020)

Connect with Bernard Khoury 👉

https://instagram.com/bernardkhourydw5

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Nurturing Authentic Voices in Filmmaking in the Arab World | Rana Kazkaz

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 09:00:00 +0000

We delve into the evolving landscape of filmmaking in the region, the importance of authentic, locally rooted narratives, and the critical role of institutions like the Doha Film Institute in fostering emerging talent. Award-winning filmmaker and associate professor at Northwestern Qatar, Rana Kazkaz, offers a glimpse into her current project "The Hakawati's Daughter," and provides recommendations for essential Arab cinema. She shares her experiences teaching film in the Arab world, highlighting the unique challenges and immense joys of mentoring a new generation of storytellers.

This episode is in collaboration with Qatar Foundation.

0:00 Introduction

0:23 The Joy of Mentoring Arab Students

3:19 The "Why" of Storytelling: Finding Your Authentic Voice

4:44 Navigating Censorship and Risk in Filmmaking

7:24 How Technology is Shaping New Narratives

10:47 Shifting Away from the "Other" Narrative

14:55 Building the Filmmaking Pipeline: The Role of the Doha Film Institute

19:39 The Critical Need for Producers in the Arab World

21:39 The Impact of Non-Regional Producers on Arab Films

26:12 Recommending Authentic Arab Films for Students

29:28 Addressing Class Bias in the Film Industry

31:19 Unlearning Self-Orientalism in Storytelling

33:40 The Genesis of "The Hakawati's Daughter"

41:26 Essential Films from the Arab World

Rana Kazkaz is a filmmaker and associate professor in residence at Northwestern University Qatar. Her films have been recognized at the world’s leading festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Tallinn, Tribeca, and Abu Dhabi. She received her MFA from Carnegie Mellon University/Moscow Art Theater and BA from Oberlin College. With a focus on Syrian stories, her producing, screenwriting, and directing portfolio includes The Translator (2020), Mare Nostrum (2016), Searching for the Translator (2016), Deaf Day (2011), and Kemo Sabe (2007). Her current film projects include The Hakawati’s Daughter and Honest Politics. She is a member of the Académie des César and was awarded fellowships with the Buffett Institute, MacDowell and the American Film Institute's Directing Workshop for Women.

Connect with Rana Kazkaz 👉

https://www.instagram.com/ranakazkaz

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"The Future is Not a Grave" With the NYU Institutes | Masha Kirasirova & Tishani Doshi

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 4 Nov 2025 09:00:00 +0000

"The Future Is Not a Grave" is a three-day workshop happening next week at NYUAD which explores futurisms and futurescapes across the MENA, Gulf, and Indian Ocean regions. In this collaborative episode with NYU Abu Dhabi Institute, conveners Tishani Doshi and Masha Kirasirova delve into challenging despair, fostering collective imagination, and integrating diverse perspectives from artists, scholars, and performers. Discover how this initiative seeks to redefine conversations about the future, moving beyond conventional narratives and embracing a more open-ended, tolerant, and inclusive approach.

November 10-12, 2025 in Abu Dhabi 👉 https://publicprograms.nyuad.nyu.edu/en/the-institute/events/2025/november/the-future-is-not-a-grave.html

0:00 The Future Is Not A Grave: Provocative Title and Imagining Possibilities

2:50 The Role of Imagination and Counteracting Despair

4:01 Future-Oriented Projects Across the Middle East

4:38 Comparing Futurescapes and Broadening the Academic Framework

7:31 Imagining Different Outcomes: A Collective Task

9:19 Futurisms: An Intellectual History of Future-Oriented Projects

11:13 Contextualizing the Present and Artistic Currents

12:31 Is Futurism Decidedly Optimistic?

14:02 The Interconnectedness of Future and Past

15:16 The Role of Language and Performance

17:46 Imagining a Future Tolerant of Darkness

20:00 Creating Space for Conversation, Not Just Conclusions

21:11 Bringing Diverse Disciplines Together

24:06 Gulf Futurism and Connecting Students

26:19 Diverse Panels: From Graphic Novels to Environmental Law

27:11 The Ancient Theater Tradition of Kutiyattam: Emperor Ashoka's Transformation

29:40 The Radical Possibility of Performance and Nonviolence

31:09 The Gulf, South Asia, and the Indian Ocean: A Unique Focus

32:55 Rethinking Historical Space and Eurocentrism

34:06 Prioritizing Local Perspectives and Interdisciplinarity

36:46 Soviet Visions of the Arab World

38:49 Development Schemes and Shifting Conversations

39:56 The Academy's Value of Storytelling and Artists

42:01 Breaking Down Formalized Barriers

43:10 Rethinking Systems and Collective Support

43:54 Fostering Interdisciplinary Collaboration

44:50 Academic Conferences as Art Projects

46:08 Untapped Topics and Intergenerational Knowledge

48:58 Collective Power vs. National Identity

52:42 Workshop Dates and Further Information

Masha Kirasirova is a historian of exchanges between the Soviet Eurasia and the Middle East. Her work approaches modern Middle Eastern history from a “Second World” perspective. It brings together several hitherto separate scholarly domains: Soviet nationalities policy with regard to the USSR’s Muslim populations; social and cultural history of Stalinism in shaping the experience of Arab communists in the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s; cultural exchange with Arab leftist intellectuals during the Cold War; and the impacts of these exchanges on artistic, bureaucratic, and political practices inside the USSR and on those exported to Syria, Lebanon, Israel/Palestine, and Egypt.

Tishani Doshi FRSL is an Indian poet, journalist and dancer based in Chennai. In 2006 she won the Forward Prize for Best First Collection due to Countries of the Body. Her poetry book "A God at the Door" was later shortlisted for the 2021 Forward Prize for Best Collection. She is widely acclaimed as a creative writer; her first book of poetry, Countries of the Body (2006), won a Forward Prize for Best First Collection.

Connect with Tishani Doshi 👉

https://instagram.com/tishanidoshi

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Sculpting Public Art | Najla El Zein

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Award-winning sculptor and artist Najla El Zein is most recently known for her work on a public commission by Qatar Museums for Doha's cultural district — a work titled "Us, her, him". She joins us to talk about her creative process, the evolution of her work, and the profound impact of personal experiences on her art. Based between Beirut and Amsterdam, Najla's work explores the relationship between space, object, and the human body, often challenging conventional perceptions of sculpture. She delves into the emotional depth behind her most significant projects, including her iconic spoons sculpture, the "Distortion" series, as well as her monumental public commission in Qatar, reflecting on themes of motherhood, female identity, and collective creation amidst challenging times.

0:00 Introduction

1:21 The Artist's Studio and Creative Process

2:46 From Childhood Curiosity to Sculptural Expression

5:36 Embracing the Unromantic Side of Sculpture

7:45 The Spoons Sculptures: A Defining Project

8:42 Moving to Beirut and Accessing Craftsmanship

10:18 Process and Meaning Behind the Spoons Sculture

11:39 Capturing Movement and Life in Static Forms

12:57 The Significance of Process and Durability

14:10 "Distortion" Series: Motherhood and Identity

18:50 "Fragmented Pillar": Fragility and Strength

21:28 "Seduction" Series: The Journey of Connection

23:17 A Deepening Relationship With Stone

25:06 "Group of Five": Dynamics and Discovery

27:49 The Qatar Museums Project: A Public Commission Amidst Crisis

30:58 The Vision for Qatar's Cultural District

34:12 Craftsmanship and the Human Element in Public Art

37:16 The Collaborative Process: From Lebanon to Qatar

40:34 Influences: Saloua Raouda Choucair, Noguchi, and Hockney

Najla El Zein's work embodies an intuitive approach to art and design, where narrative, craft, and materiality are central to her creative process. Each piece offers a personal yet universal language that evokes curiosity and emotion. Born in Beirut in 1983, she is a Lebanese-French artist and designer based in Amsterdam. She graduated from the École Camondo in Paris with a degree in Product Design and Interior Architecture, Spatial Design. In 2024, she received the Dia Al-Azzawi Prize for Public Art for her monumental installation "Us, Her, Him" in Doha, Qatar. In 2025, she was honored as one of the AD100 most important influential figures in art and design. Her works are part of prestigious collections, including Dallas Museum of Art, Saint Louis Art Museum, Qatar Museums, and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Connect with Najla El Zein 👉

https://instagram.com/najlaelzein

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Pressure Cooker: National Pavilion UAE at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale | Azza Aboualam

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 08:00:00 +0000

We delve into the UAE National Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Biennale, titled "Pressure Cooker" with curator Azza Aboualam. An assistant professor at the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University Dubai and co-founder of Holesum Studio, Aboualam explains how architecture can be a cornerstone for achieving food security, particularly in challenging climates like UAE's and the broader Gulf region. Inspired by a simple question from her mother about the origin of blueberries in the UAE, Aboualam's work explored the intersection of architectural design and food production, focusing on innovative greenhouse typologies. The "Pressure Cooker" exhibition showcases how traditional and high-tech architectural elements can be reconfigured to prolong growing seasons and expand food production within the UAE. We unpack the complexities of food security as a national priority, the economic and environmental costs of imported food, and the surprising prevalence of individual-led greenhouse projects in the UAE. We also touch upon the fascinating historical context of food in the UAE, the impact of population growth on food systems, and a unique architectural cookbook attached to the project, which frames the conversation around food and built environments.

0:00:00 The UAE's Vision For Food Security

0:02:40 "Pressure Cooker": Architecture and Food Flow

0:03:33 The Blueberry Revelation: Origin of the Idea

0:04:38 Why Food Security Is an Architectural Problem in the UAE

0:05:48 The Urgency of Food Security In The UAE

0:07:08 Global Warming and Food Production Challenges

0:08:08 Inside The "Pressure Cooker" UAE Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2025

0:10:41 A Call to Action and Moment of Reflection

0:11:55 The True Cost of Food

0:12:21 Greenhouses: a Common Practice in the UAE

0:14:16 The "Kit-of-Parts" Innovation

0:14:42 The Adaptable Greenhouse System

0:16:07 Food Production in Apartment Living

0:16:44 Sparking Broader Conversations

0:17:30 Individual vs. Urban Scale Food Production

0:19:08 Who Is Doing Food Security Well?

0:20:32 Food Infrastructure in the UAE

0:21:56 Regional Knowledge Sharing

0:23:02 Local Food Production and Sufficiency

0:23:53 Oil Revenue's Impact on Food Security

0:25:01 Pressure Cooker Recipes: An Architectural Cookbook

0:26:44 Engaging With Local Farmers

0:28:18 Pathway to Food Independence

0:29:03 Defining Food Independence

0:30:54 Supermarkets: a Changing Landscape

0:32:08 Historical Food Production in the UAE

0:33:11 Migration and Food Systems

0:35:00 Resources for Learning About Food Security

0:36:51 The Problem of Food Waste

0:39:17 Packaging Waste in the F&B Industry

Upcoming event 👉 https://publicprograms.nyuad.nyu.edu/en/the-institute/events/2025/october/pressure-cooker-curated-by-azza-aboualam.html

Azza Aboualam is an Emirati architect and curator of the National Pavilion UAE for the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2025. She is an Assistant Professor at the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University in Dubai and a co-founder and Director of Research at Holesum Studio, an interdisciplinary architecture and design practice based between New York, USA, and Sharjah, UAE. She co-founded the studio in 2021 a few years after graduating from the Yale School of Architecture. She worked with the UAE Ministry of Culture’s Architecture Initiative, and her field research, sketches, and writing were published in the book "In Search of Spaces of Coexistence: An Architect’s Journey" (2019), edited by Dr. Alamira Reem Al Hashimi and Adina Hempel. While working in Sharjah’s Department of Public Works, Aboualam managed the design and construction of large-scale projects such as the Aga Khan Award–winning Wasit Wetland Center.

Connect with Azza Aboualam 👉 https://instagram.com/azza.aboualam

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History of Carpets | Mohamed Maktabi

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:00:00 +0000

We visit Maktabi's flagship store in Beirut to unravel the rich history and intricate artistry of carpets. A third-generation carpet dealer from the renowned family behind Iwan Maktabi, Mohamed Maktabi delves into everything from the first carpet every discovered, the ancient origins of carpet weaving and the unique characteristics of tribal versus city carpets, to the esteemed legacy of Persian rugs and the evolving nature of the carpet dealing business. Maktabi shares personal family anecdotes, discusses the cultural significance embedded in some woven masterpieces, and offers insights into caring for these cherished objects. Whether you're a long-time admirer or new to the world of carpets, this conversation offers a deep appreciation for an art form that has captivated humanity for millennia. Maktabi also gives us his carpet wishlist from around the world.

0:00 Introduction

0:22 The Oldest Carpet and Persian Heritage

0:46 Tribal vs. City Carpets: Craft and Purpose

0:50 The Evolution of Carpet Dealing: From Bazaar to Flagship

1:08 Mohamed Maktabi's Role and Family Legacy

3:31 The Craft of Hand-Knotted Carpets

4:57 Tribal Weaving: A Woman's Art

9:01 The Unparalleled Quality of Persian Carpets

15:15 The Rise of Carpets in Every Household

17:40 The Golden Age of Classical Carpets

19:24 The Shifting Landscape of Carpet Dealing

20:30 Contemporary Creations and Embedded Stories

21:20 Mass-Produced vs. Hand-Knotted Carpets

24:26 A Tour of Curated Antique Pieces

25:06 Shahabs Suzani: A Needlework Diary from Central Asia

28:32 The Paisley Design in Khorasan Carpets

29:55 Isfahan Quran Cover Design: A Family Heirloom

33:37 The Enduring Value and Care of Carpets

35:11 Japan's Appreciation for Persian Carpets

35:48 The Future of Classical Carpet Making

36:38 Mohamed's Dream Carpet Collection

38:32 The Legendary Ardabil Carpet

40:33 Proper Carpet Care and Maintenance

Mohamed Maktabi is a third-generation carpet dealer and a scion (and now CEO) of the Iwan Maktabi family, an institution in the carpet business established in Beirut in 1926. His grandfather immigrated from Isfahan to Beirut, with his father, Abbas Maktabi, continuing the family tradition. Mohamed, alongside two of his five sisters, joined the family business, which his father initially envisioned as a small gallery for esoteric textiles and unique tribal pieces. Mohamed is known for his deep knowledge of carpet history, from ancient origins to contemporary creations, and his appreciation for the cultural and artistic significance embedded in each piece. He maintains a focus on both traditional and modern designs, ensuring the legacy of hand-knotted carpets endures.

Connect with Mohamed Maktabi 👉 https://instagram.com/mo_maktabi

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Dust That Never Settles: Literary Afterlives of the Iran-Iraq War | Amir Moosavi

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 6 Oct 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Amir Moosavi discusses the profound impact of the Iran-Iraq War – the longest two-state war of the 20th century – on the literature of both nations. Through his book "Dust That Never Settles: Literary Afterlives of the Iran-Iraq War," he explores in this conversation the official state-sanctioned narratives that emerged during and after the war, comparing them with the more nuanced, critical, and often experimental literary responses from writers in Iraq and Iran, including those in the diaspora. The conversation also highlights how these diverse literary works grapple with the war's legacy, from its human and environmental costs to its enduring presence in collective memory.

0:00 The Enduring Legacy of the Iran-Iraq War

1:03 Introducing Amir Moosavi's Book

3:39 A Historical Primer on the Iran-Iraq War

7:16 Shifting Narratives: Qadisiyyat Saddam and Operation Karbala

11:49 Bridging Arabic and Persian Literary Worlds

15:51 Understanding State Literature and Propaganda

20:11 Examples of State Literature and Narrative Shifts

29:36 Post-War Writers: Challenging Official Narratives

35:26 Warfront Depictions and the Quest for Truth

38:31 Artistic Communities and Collective Memory

40:41 The Meaning Behind "Dust That Never Settles"

43:18 Ecological Damage in War Literature

48:22 Misconceptions and Nuances in War Literature

50:39 Diaspora Authors and Freedom of Expression

Amir Moosavi is an assistant Professor in the Department of English at Rutgers University- Newark. He started teaching at Rutgers-Newark in the fall of 2018, following a year-long EUME postdoc funded by the Volkswagenstiftung and Mellon Foundation in Berlin (2016-17) and a visiting assistant professorship in modern Iranian studies at Brown University (2017-18). His research and teaching interests cover modern Arabic and Persian literatures and the cultural history of the Middle East, with an emphasis on Iran, Iraq, and the Levant. At RU-N, he teaches courses on Arabic and Persian fiction and film, world literature, translation studies, and war culture. He is particularly interested in how cultural production deals with violent pasts, wars, notions of transitional justice, representations of urban space, and the climate crisis. He has written a book manuscript titled "Dust That Never Settles: Literary Afterlives of the Iran-Iraq War."

Connect with Amir Moosavi 👉

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amir-moosavi-1b348224

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Yemen as the Global Home of Coffee | Nancy Um

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 13:00:00 +0000

We challenge contemporary perceptions of Yemen as a "backwater" by revealing the pivotal role of its port city, Mocha, in the making of our modern world. Historian Nancy Um delves into the fascinating history of coffee, from its origins in 15th-century Yemen to its global spread and the economic transformations it spurred. She explores the rich maritime trade routes of the Indian Ocean, highlighting Yemen's centrality as a crossroads for goods, ideas, and people long before European influence. Um discusses the Ottoman Empire's cultivation of coffee in Yemen, the rise and decline of Mocha as a trade hub, and the unique cultural adaptations of coffee consumption within Yemen itself, such as the popular Qishr drink. We also touch upon the broader impact of hot beverages and porcelain on global social and consumption patterns, revealing how these everyday items were once revolutionary technologies. Um shares insights into the ongoing efforts to revive Yemen's coffee industry and offers recommendations for further reading on Yemen's vibrant history.

0:00 Mocha: A Bustling 17th-18th Century Trade Center

0:50 Yemen's Monopoly on Coffee

2:46 Nancy Um's Interest in Maritime Trade and Yemen

3:40 Yemen's Historical Significance Beyond Recent Decades

5:51 What Made Mocha a Prime Trade Hub?

7:58 Mocha's Rival: Aden

8:11 The History of Coffee as a Drink

10:01 Debunking Coffee Origin Myths: The Story of Kaldi and the Goats

12:20 Coffee as a Hot Brewed Beverage from Yemen

12:32 The Evolution of Coffee as a Commodity and Social Habit

13:21 Early Suspicion and Prohibitions Against Coffee

14:41 The Global Journey of the Coffee Plant

15:57 The Dutch and Coffee Cultivation in Java

17:22 Yemen's Shifting Coffee Fortunes

18:14 The Ottomans and Yemen's Coffee Cultivation

19:06 Ottoman Control of the Red Sea Trade

20:37 Diversification of Trade Beyond Coffee

21:37 European Influence on Mocha's Popularity

22:21 Qishr: Yemen's Unique Coffee Husk Drink (aka Cascara)

24:19 Efforts to Rebuild Yemen's Coffee Industry

26:01 The Red Sea Trade Route's Enduring Importance

29:02 The Indian Ocean: A Space of Exchange and Imagination

30:51 Reconsidering Land-Based vs. Water-Based Cultural Identities

33:20 Nationalizing Watery Metaphors and Icons

35:10 Historical Naming Conventions and Cultural Continuities

37:39 Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate: Technologies Reshaping Society

40:30 The Coffee House and the Enlightenment

42:07 The Decline of Mocha as an Economic Hub

43:10 Beneficiaries of Mocha's Decline

44:58 Challenge of Contradictory Stories in Historical Narratives

47:20 Disproving Coffee Plant Smuggling Myths

50:27 Misunderstandings About Yemen's History

51:34 Book Recommendations on Yemen

53:56 Access to Local Historical Documents in Yemen

Nancy Um is Associate Director for Research and Knowledge Creation at the Getty Research Institute. Her research program explores art, architecture, and material culture around the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the Arabian Peninsula, with a focus on trade and cross-cultural exchange in the early modern era. She is also the author of "The Merchant Houses of Mocha: Trade and Architecture in an Indian Ocean Port," and "Shipped but Not Sold: Material Culture and the Social Protocols of Trade during Yemen’s Age of Coffee."

Connect with Nancy Um 👉

https://twitter.com/NancyUm1

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Orientalism & Edward Said | Professor Nubar Hovsepian

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Author of "Edward Said: The Politics of an Oppositional Intellectual," professor Nubar Hovsepian joins us to delve into the nuanced legacy of Edward Said, exploring common misunderstandings of his work, the reception of "Orientalism" within academia, and Said's vision of the "oppositional intellectual." The discussion also covers the evolving discourse around Zionism and Palestine, the challenges faced by the Palestinian liberation movement, and the critical need for new forms of struggle and organization. This conversation offers a candid look at the intellectual journey of Edward Said and its enduring relevance in contemporary Arab and global contexts.

0:00 Edward Said: The Oppositional Intellectual

0:20 Orientalism as a System of Domination

1:07 Misunderstandings of Edward Said's Work

3:18 The Reception of "Orientalism" in Academia

11:00 Columbia University and Ideas About Israel and Zionism

14:00 The Evolving Discourse on Zionism

18:24 Defining the Oppositional Intellectual

20:59 Pessimism of the Intellect, Optimism of the Will

22:50 The Palestinian Liberation Movement: Peaks and Valleys

30:47 The Democratic Secular State and Its Opponents

34:09 Shifting Perceptions of Palestine Among Youth

37:00 Advice for Young Activists and Intellectuals

38:57 Mistakes of the Palestinian Movement

44:30 The Concept of Citizenship Versus Subjecthood

47:00 Edward Said's Relationship with America and the Arab World

50:27 Recommended Readings by Edward Said

Nubar Hovsepian is associate professor emeritus of political science at Chapman University in Orange, CA. He is the author of "Edward Said: The Politics of an Oppositional Intellectual," "Palestinian State Formation: The Construction of National Identity," and editor of "The War on Lebanon." Hovsepian served from 1982 to 1984 as political affairs officer for the United Nations conference on the Question of Palestine.

Connect with Nubar Hovsepian 👉 https://instagram.com/nubar.hovsepian

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Sustainability in Qatar & the GCC: Environmental Challenges & Opportunities

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:45:41 +0000

The author of "Sustainable Qatar: Social, Political and Environmental Perspectives" delves into the multifaceted meaning of sustainability, especially within the context of the Arabian Peninsula. Our guest unpacks the region's unique environmental challenges, including sea level rise, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss, and explores the innovative strategies being implemented to build a more resilient future. An Associate Professor at the College of Public Policy at Hamad bin Khalifa University, Logan Cochrane, also critically examines the concept of "greenwashing," the complexities of global sustainability metrics, and the challenges of policy making.

0:00:00 The Nuance of Sustainability

0:03:05 Environmental Challenges in the GCC

0:06:08 Time Scale of Environmental Issues

0:09:42 Food Security in the Arabian Peninsula

0:17:40 Water Sources and Challenges in Qatar

0:20:25 Future Challenges and Adaptation in Arid Environments

0:22:53 Skepticism Towards Energy Transitions

0:24:50 Defining Greenwashing

0:31:11 The Politics of Sustainability Metrics

0:38:10 Global Leaders in Sustainability

0:41:09 The Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles

0:48:10 The "Game of Telephone" in Policy Making

0:51:30 Non-Governmental Efforts in Sustainability

Logan Cochrane is an Associate Professor at the College of Public Policy at Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU). His research includes diverse geographic and disciplinary foci, covering broad thematic areas of food security, climate change, social justice and governance. For the last 15 years, he has worked in non-governmental organizations internationally, including in Afghanistan, Benin, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Logan has served as a director for two non-governmental organizations, and worked as a consultant with clients such as Global Affairs Canada, International Development Research Centre, Save the Children, Management Sciences for Health, the Liaison Office, UNICEF and UNAIDS.

Connect with Logan Cochrane 👉 https://qa.linkedin.com/in/logancochrane

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Photographer Yumna Al-Arashi: Yemen, Identity, and Challenging Perceptions

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 8 Sep 2025 08:00:00 +0000

A captivating episode with Yemeni-Egyptian artist Yumna Al-Arashi who discusses her upbringing in Washington D.C., the impact of the 2017 executive order (often referred to as the "Muslim ban") on her family, and how her art explores themes of identity, feminism, sexuality, healing, and human rights, frequently challenging the misrepresentation of Muslim women in Western media. Al-Arashi delves into her projects, including her first solo exhibition in Switzerland "Tears For The Future," her film "99 Names of God," and her powerful book "Aisha," which examines facial tattooing traditions from South Arabia to North Africa and the Sahara. She also shares her thoughts on self-portraits, the discomfort her work can evoke, and the importance of authorship and challenging orientalist desires in art.

0:00 Growing Up Egyptian-Yemeni in Washington D.C.

0:09 The 2017 Executive Order and Its Impact

0:49 The Salt Project: Healing and the Vulnerability of Movement

7:13 Childhood George Bush’s America

10:04 Growing up in Washington D.C.

12:05 Balancing Complexity and Tropes in “99 Names of God”

19:09 The Evolution of Resistance in Art

21:29 Filming “99 Names of God” in Oman and References to Yemen

22:50 Introducing the Book “Aisha”

23:55 the Connection Between Al-Arashi’s Projects

24:50 Reclaiming Narratives and Challenging Colonial History

28:20 The Importance of Authorship

32:23 The History and Meaning of Facial Tattoos

36:58 The Awkwardness and Power of Self-Portraits

Yumna Al-Arashi is a Yemeni-Egyptian artist, photographer, filmmaker, and writer born and raised in Washington, D.C. She studied International Politics with a focus on the Middle East at The New School. Her work, which is often self-taught in photography, explores themes of identity, feminism, sexuality, and human rights, frequently challenging the misrepresentation of Muslim women in Western media. Her notable works include the award-winning short film "The 99 Names of God" (2018) and the monograph "Aisha," which documents the ancient art of women's facial tattooing in North Africa and West Asia. Her photography has been featured in publications and exhibitions worldwide, and she has received support from organizations such as the International Women's Media Foundation and the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture. She has lived and worked in various locations, including New York, Los Angeles, London, and Zürich.

Connect with Yumna Al-Arashi 👉 https://instagram.com/yumnaaa

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Smita Prabhakar on Ishara Art Foundation & Nurturing South Asian Art in the UAE

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0000

We challenge the conventional perceptions of home and identity in a diasporic context and delve into South Asian art. An art collector, entrepreneur, and the founder and chairperson of the Ishara Art Foundation, Smita Prabhakar shares personal anecdotes, including her move to Dubai 45 years ago and the evolution of her understanding of community and belonging. The discussion highlights the importance of contributing to the place one calls home, regardless of origin or citizenship, and breaks down geographical and cultural silos in the art world. Smita touches upon the challenges and future aspirations for Ishara, emphasizing its role in fostering cultural understanding and appreciation through art in the Arab Gulf region and beyond.

0:00 Introduction to the Ishara Art Foundation

2:58 The Importance of Humility and Valuing People

6:30 The UAE as Home and Giving Back to the Community

10:20 Ishara: Bridging South Asia and the Gulf

15:21 The Ambition of Ishara: South Asian Art on the World Map

25:39 The Imperative of Investing in "Two Homes"

32:28 Understanding "Histories and Cultures of the Arab World"

41:37 Lines of Flight: Shilpa Gupta's Exhibition

45:41 Challenges for Ishara in the Next 10 Years

51:04 Books and Novels on South Asian Art and History

52:31 Misunderstanding vs Lack of Communication in the Arab World

56:49 Final Reflections

Smita Prabhakar is an entrepreneur, collector and art patron who has been based in the UAE for over four decades. She is the Founder and Chairperson of the Ishara Art Foundation. Smita is also a member of the International Acquisitions Committee at Tate Modern (London), the Middle Eastern Circle of the Guggenheim Museum (New York) and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection (Venice). Smita’s collection, The Ishara Art Foundation and The Prabhakar Collection, focuses on South Asian contemporary artworks that reflect diverse voices and shared histories from across the region. She has supported the V.S. Gaitonde exhibition, 'Painting as Process, Painting as Life' in New York and Venice in 2015-6, a workshop around Shilpa Gupta’s artwork, 'For, In Your Tongue, I Cannot Fit,' organised at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2018, and the seventh and eight editions of the Colomboscope Festival in 2022 and 2024.

Connect with Smita Prabhakar 👉

https://instagram.com/isharaartfoundation

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Contemporary Moroccan Thought | Mohammed Hashas

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0000

We delve into the need to fill the literary and intellectual gap in Moroccan scholarship, the impacts of notable contemporary Moroccan philosophers and thinkers, and how their ideas engage with local, regional, and global issues like modernity, democracy, and human rights. Dr Mohammed Hashas is an assistant professor at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and discusses his new book on contemporary Moroccan thought, which focuses on philosophy, theology, society, and culture. He shares his academic journey and personal experiences that led to the creation of this comprehensive work.

0:00 Introduction

2:26 A Book That Fills a Scholarly Need

3:11 The Book as a Critical Intellectual Gratitude

4:12 Mohammed First University in Oujda

6:08 From Cultural Studies to Political Theory

7:09 A Focus on the Middle East and North Africa

9:15 Defining Moroccan Thought

12:21 Geography & Time of Contemporary Moroccan Thought

16:06 The Beginning of the Movement

19:02 Thinking From the Edge

24:30 Examples of Thinkers and Their Concerns

28:04 Influential Thinkers: Al-Jabri and the Critique of Arab Reason

30:11 Influential Thinkers: Abdallah Laroui, the Liberal Marxist Historian

32:19 Is There an Arab World?

33:32 Influential Thinkers: Taha Abdurrahman and Islamic Moral Philosophy

37:14 Influential Thinkers: Fatima Mernissi and Islamic Feminism

38:17 Influential Thinkers: Abdelkebir Khatibi and Pluralization

39:31 Influential Thinkers: Mohammed Aziz Lahbabi and Personalism

42:15 Influential Thinkers: Abdessalam Yassine and Non-Violent Change

45:17 Influential Thinkers: AbdelFattah Kilito and Bilingualism

47:11 Dream Dinner With Moroccan Thinkers

48:35 Recommended Reading and Scholars

52:20 Contributions of the Rabat School

Mohammed Hashas [“ḥaṣḥāṣ” حصحاص] is a scholar of Islam, contemporary Islamic and Moroccan thought, and Islam in Europe. He holds a PhD from Luiss University of Rome, where he teaches, and is the author of "The Idea of European Islam" (Routledge, 2019) and "Intercultural Geopoetics" (Cambridge Scholars, 2017). He has edited or co-edited four volumes, including "Pluralism in Islamic Contexts" (Springer, 2021) and "Islamic Ethics and the Trusteeship Paradigm" (Brill, 2020). Currently a Research Fellow affiliated with Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient (ZMO) in Berlin, he has previously held fellowships in Oxford, Copenhagen, Berlin, Tilburg, Palermo, and Virginia. His work focuses on contemporary Arab-Islamic philosophy and theology, European Islam, and Moroccan thought, and he has edited the first comprehensive volume on Contemporary Moroccan Thought.

Connect with Mohammed Hashah 👉

https://it.linkedin.com/in/mohammed-hashas-84674417

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How Do You Decolonize Care? | Sundus Abdul Hadi & Maktaba Bookshop

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0000

We explore the Arab community's evolution in Montreal, the intent behind Maktaba Bookshop as a space for Arab representation and cultural exchange, and the concept of decolonizing care. The founder of Maktaba in Montreal, Iraqi artist and author Sundus Abdul Hadi shares her immigration story, creative endeavors, and the significance of her community-focused bookstore. Sundus also delves into her books, "Take Care of Your Self: The Art and Cultures of Care and Liberation" and "Shams," and shares her personal experience as a mother in her artistic journey. The episode highlights the role of art and culture in nurturing and preserving Arab identity in the diaspora.

00:00 Introduction: Sundus' Background

01:07 Living in Montreal

03:53 The Arab Community in Montreal

08:40 Maktaba: The Bookshop and Its Mission

20:03 Decolonizing Care and Art

27:20 The Concept of Vacation and Self-Care

31:02 The Impact of Capitalism on Communities

31:39 Complicity in Global Issues

33:30 Challenges of Pro-Palestinian Speech

34:12 Independent Bookshop Ownership

36:47 The 10 Commandments for Independent Artists

41:29 The Role of Motherhood in Art

44:55 Creating Children's Books on Trauma

48:57 Book Recommendations from Maktaba

58:31 The Importance of Storytelling

Sundus Abdul Hadi is an artist and writer of Iraqi origin, raised and educated in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, where she earned a BFA in Studio Arts and Art History and a MA in Media Studies. Articulated through her artistic practice, writing and curation, Sundus’ work is a sensitive reflection on trauma, struggle, and care. She is the author/illustrator of Shams, a children’s book about trauma, transformation and healing. Her book titled “Take Care of Your Self: The Art and Cultures of Care and Liberation” is a non-fiction book about care, curation and community. She is the cofounder of We Are The Medium, an artist collective and culture point, and the founder of Maktaba Bookshop in Montreal. She has also exhibited her work and led workshops, is a two-time recipient of the CALQ Vivacite grant, and has won the Makers Muse award twice. Her work is part of the Barjeel Art Foundation collection.

Explore Maktaba 👉 https://www.instagram.com/maktaba.bookshop/

Connect with Sundus Abdul Hadi 👉 https://instagram.com/sundusabdulhadi

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Director of Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at MIT Nasser Rabbat on Al-Maqrizi

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 4 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0000

We welcome back Prof Nasser Rabbat to discuss his latest book "Writing Egypt: Al-Maqrizi and His Historical Project," which focuses on the 14th-century historian labeled as Egypt's greatest historian. The director of the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at MIT outlines the journey and reasons behind his lengthy process of writing the book, the life and works of Al-Maqrizi, his significance in chronicling Egypt's history, and his unique subjective approach to historiography. We also delve into Al-Maqrizi's relationship with the famous sociologist Ibn Khaldun and the socio-political context of Egypt during the Mamluk period. The episode explores themes of patriotism, scholarly dedication, and the historical narrative of the Arab world.

00:00 Introduction

01:01 Discussing Rabbat's New Book "Writing Egypt: Al-Maqrizi and His Historical Project"

05:16 The Life and Times of Al-Maqrizi

17:17 Al-Maqrizi's Historical Contributions

20:02 The Mamluk Era and Its Impact on Scholarship

26:52 Al-Maqrizi's Legacy and Influence

38:40 Al-Maqrizi's Relationship with Ibn Khaldun

41:54 The End of History and Ibn Khaldun's Influence

43:00 Ibn Khaldun's Theory and Its Application

44:33 Al-Maqrizi's Background and Scholarly Life

47:43 Humor in Historical Writings

49:24 Egyptian Identity and Nationalism

53:09 Al-Maqrizi's Love for Egypt

55:30 Modern Interpretations of Al-Maqrizi

01:10:21 Egyptian Nationalism in the 20th Century

01:19:01 Future Works

Nasser Rabbat is the Aga Khan Professor and the Director of the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at MIT. His interests include Islamic architecture, urban history, Arab history, contemporary Arab art, heritage studies, and post-colonial criticism. He has published numerous articles and several books on topics ranging from Mamluk architecture to Antique Syria, to urbicide, such as "Imarat al-Mudun al-Mayyita" (The Architecture of the Dead Cities) (2018); and online book, "The Destruction of Cultural Heritage: From Napoléon to ISIS," co-edited with Pamela Karimi (2016). Rabbat held several academic and research appointments in Cambridge MA, Princeton, Los Angeles, Cairo, Granada, Rome, Paris, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Munich, and Bonn.

Connect with Nasser Rabbat 👉

https://instagram.com/nasserrabbat

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Dubai's South Asian Communities | Neha Vora

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000

A professor of anthropology at the American University of Sharjah and the author of "Impossible Citizens: Dubai's Indian Diaspora" and "Teach for Arabia: American Universities, Liberalism, and Transnational Qatar," Neha Vora talks about her experience living in the United Arab Emirates, the influence of South Asian communities in Dubai, the concept of citizenship beyond legal definitions, and the evolving diaspora dynamics in the Gulf. The conversation touches on the impact of American university branch campuses in the region and their long-term effects on citizenship and community.

00:00 Introduction

00:30 Living in the UAE: An Anthropologist's Perspective

01:31 Exploring the Book "Impossible Citizens: Dubai's Indian Diaspora"

01:52 Dubai: A South Asian City?

03:39 Community vs. Citizenship in the Gulf

06:39 Expat vs. Migrant Worker: Defining Terms

11:24 Researching South Asian Diaspora in Dubai

21:47 Citizenship and Belonging: A Complex Relationship

26:40 The Gulf as a Fluid Space

28:57 Introducing "Teach for Arabia" and Critiques of Branch Campuses

33:29 Impact on Citizenship and Society

42:14 Generational Perspectives in the Gulf

48:32 Retirement and Residency Changes

52:06 Current Research Focus: Stray Animal Care

53:30 Final Thoughts

Neha Vora is Professor of Anthropology in the Department of International Studies at the American University of Sharjah in the UAE. She received her PhD in anthropology and gender studies at University of California, Irvine. Her interdisciplinary research and teaching interests include diasporas and migration, citizenship, globalized higher education, gender, liberalism, political economy, and human-nonhuman encounters, primarily in the Arabian Peninsula region. She is the author of "Impossible Citizens: Dubai’s Indian Diaspora" (Duke University Press, 2013) and "Teach for Arabia: American Universities, Liberalism, and Transnational Qatar"

Connect with Neha Vora 👉 https://twitter.com/nativeinformant

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Mazen Kerbaj | Gaza in my Phone

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Considered a key figure within Beirut's creative scene, comics author, visual artist and musician Mazen Kerbaj joins us on The afikra Podcast and discusses his upbringing in Beirut, his creative family background growing up around famous artist as parents, and the influence of the city's tumultuous history on his work. Kerbaj shares insights into his childhood during the Lebanese Civil War, his passion for comics, and the evolution of his artistic identity. He reflects on the impact of fame, the transformative power of creative expression, and the importance of staying true to one's artistic vision. The conversation also delves into his unique experiences with blogging during the 2006 Lebanon War, leading up to his latest journaling work on Gaza which has lead to publishing a book in French – soon to be released in English with the title "Gaza in my Phone." We also delve into his other critically acclaimed works and his thoughtful perspectives on music and visual art.

00:00 Introduction

00:40 Growing Up With Antoine Kerbaj and Laure Ghorayeb as Parents

02:00 The Beginning of a Creative Journey

02:31 Describing Beirut

04:30 Life During and After the Lebanese Civil War

10:28 Musical Influences and Discoveries

14:06 Commitment to Art

20:01 Fame and Family Dynamics

21:58 The Philosophy of Art and Fame

30:57 The Rise and Fall of a Comic Strip

34:06 The Iconic Beirut Posters of Mazen Kerbaj

38:03 Blogging During Conflict

45:07 Creating Art Under Siege

55:00 Music and Visual Art: A Blurred Line

01:01:37 Influences and Inspirations

Mazen Kerbaj is a Lebanese comics author, visual artist, and musician born in Beirut in 1975. He's the author of 15 books translated into more than 10 languages and his work has been shown in galleries, museums and art fairs around the world. Kerbaj is widely considered as one of the initiators and key players of the Lebanese free improvisation and experimental music scene. As a trumpet player, he pushes the boundaries of the instrument beyond recognition. He also works on selective illustration and design projects and has taught at the American University of Beirut.

Connect with Mazen Kerbaj 👉

https://instagram.com/mazenkerbaj

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Nathaniel Mathews | Zanzibar & Oman's Common History & Identities

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Nathaniel Mathews is associate professor in Africana Studies at Binghamton University and author of "Zanzibar Was a Country: Exile and Citizenship between East Africa and the Gulf." He tells us about his journey in studying Zanzibar, prompted by his early exposure to Swahili culture. He delves into the historical significance of Zanzibar, its cosmopolitan nature, the Omani influence in East Africa, and the slave trade's impact. He explore Zanzibar's political transitions, from becoming a British protectorate to the post-revolution identity struggles, and the eventual union with mainland Tanzania. He also touches on the complex identities within Zanzibar, such as Afro-Arabs, and the effects of the 1964 revolution which led to a significant emigration of Zanzibar's residents to Oman and other Gulf states. The discussion closes with book and film recommendations related to Zanzibar and East African-Arabian history.

00:00 Introduction

01:32 Historical Overview of Zanzibar

03:55 Omani Influence and Colonization

06:34 Economic and Cultural Transformation

16:49 British Protectorate and the Shortest War

20:25 20th Century Zanzibar: Identity and Belonging

27:52 Path to Independence and Union With Tanzania

29:52 Cultural Nation and Independence Movements

30:48 Colonial Rule and Sovereignty in Africa

32:40 Labor Protests and National Identity

33:44 Understanding Afro-Arabs in Zanzibar

36:41 Economic and Social Dynamics in Zanzibar

39:54 The Zanzibar Revolution and Its Aftermath

44:57 Exodus and Resettlement of Zanzibaris

53:14 Return to Oman and Ethnic Migration

55:58 Recommended Books and Documentaries

Nathaniel Mathews is a historian of East Africa and the Indian Ocean. He received his PhD from Northwestern University and is currently Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at SUNY Binghamton, specializing in the history of modern Zanzibar and the global afterlives of the Zanzibar revolution.

Connect with Nathaniel Mathews 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaniel-mathews-10430561

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Maknana at DAF: Glossary of New Media Art From the Arab World | Ala Younis & Haytham Nawar

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 9 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Live from Diriyah Art Futures in Riyadh, we're joined by Haytham Nawar, the director of Diriyah Art Futures, and Ala Younis who co-curated its latest exhibition, which delves into the New Media Art scene in the Arab world. They explore the lack of recognition for Arab names in global media art history, discuss the significance of the word "archeology" in the exhibition's subtitle "Maknana: An Archaeology of New Media Art in the Arab World", and highlight contributions by artists like Lucien Samaha, the first person to click a digital image. The conversation also covers the generational and geographical aspects of New Media Art in the Arab world, and the challenges of curating such an exhibition. The episode provides an in-depth look at the themes, artists, and historical context behind the pioneering Diriyah Art Futures project.

00:00 Introduction

01:47 Exploring the Exhibition's Themes and Research

04:30 Historical Context and Artist Contributions

10:43 Curatorial Approach and Challenges

27:31 Defining the Arab World in Art

30:48 Misunderstood and Favorite Art Pieces

31:23 Curatorial Challenges and Artwork Highlights

33:58 More Artworks and Multiple Interpretations

39:03 The Role of New Media in Telling the Arab World's Story

41:46 Audience Questions and Curatorial Insights

49:54 Gender Balance and Artist Selection Criteria

51:50 New Media Art and Public Sphere

59:11 Future Iterations and Ongoing Research

Ala Younis is an artist, with curatorial, film and publishing projects. Using objects, film and printed matter, she often seeks instances where historical and political events collapse into personal ones. She holds a BSc in Architecture from University of Jordan and MRes in Visual Cultures from Goldsmiths, University of London. She co-curated Diriyah Art Futures' exhibition "Maknana: An Archaeology of New Media Art in the Arab World."

Connect with Ala Younis 👉 https://instagram.com/alayounis

Haytham Nawar is an Egyptian artist, designer, scholar, and educator, and the director of Diriyah Art Futures. He is also Associate Professor of Design at the American University in Cairo and the founder and director of Cairotronica, a festival of electronic and new media arts in Cairo.

Connect with Haytham Nawar 👉

https://instagram.com/haythamnawar

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Rana AlMutawa | Unveiling Dubai's Complex Social Fabric

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 7 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Host Mikey Muhanna talks to Rana AlMutawa, Assistant Professor of Social Research and Public Policy at NYU Abu Dhabi and author of "Everyday Life in the Spectacular City, Making Home in Dubai." They delve into the misunderstood complexities of Dubai's social dynamics, exploring urban ethnography, the mislabeling of spaces as "fake" or "authentic" and the city's multifaceted social hierarchies. AlMutawa provides insights into the real and significant social lives created within Dubai's often-criticized spaces, such as shopping malls, and challenges Western-centric viewpoints on the city's development and social structure.

00:00 Introduction

05:29 Understanding Urban Ethnography

08:59 Middle-Class Dynamics in Dubai

14:16 Neoliberalism and Urban Spaces

17:50 Exclusions in Public Spaces

25:07 Authenticity and Exoticization

27:02 Research Methodology in Urban Ethnography

29:31 Social Hierarchies in Dubai

31:31 Complexities of Privilege in Dubai

32:33 Diverse Urban Spaces and Social Interactions

37:03 Malls as Social Newspapers

40:23 Personalities of Different Malls

45:50 Inclusivity and Accessibility in Public Spaces

49:32 Comparing Cities in the UAE

57:16 Double Standards in Global Cities

01:01:35 Further Reading

Rana AlMutawa is an Assistant Professor of Social Research and Public Policy at New York University Abu Dhabi. She focuses on urban ethnography, social hierarchies (race, class, gender, citizenship, Orientalism, and social distinction), and belonging. She completed her doctoral training at the University of Oxford in 2021 and published her first book "Everyday Life in the Spectacular City: Making Home in Dubai" in 2024 with the University of California Press.

Connect with Rana AlMutawa 👉

https://instagram.com/Rana_almutawa

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Mental Healthcare For Children That Have Survived War | Dr Atif Magbool

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 08:00:00 +0000

We're joined by Dr Atif Magbool at Sidra Medicine who talks to us about the immense challenges and efforts in providing mental healthcare to children and women in crisis-affected areas. Dr Magbool shares his journey into pediatric psychiatry – primarily influenced by early experiences in Sudan – and discusses the significant differences between child and adult psychiatry. The conversation explores the Gaza Patient Program initiated by Sidra Medicine, which offers comprehensive medical, surgical, and psychological care to children affected by the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Dr Magbool also touches upon the remarkable resilience observed in children survivors, the continuous trauma faced by Palestinian children, and the critical need for mental health support during and after war. The dialogue sheds light on the importance of providing a safe and supportive environment for affected children and the broader impact of war on the mental health sector in crisis zones.

This episode is in collaboration with Qatar Foundation.

00:00 Introduction

01:29 Dr Magbool's Journey into Psychiatry

04:32 Understanding Pediatric Psychiatry

06:47 The Gaza Patient Program

18:42 Challenges in Palestinian Healthcare

20:49 Personal Reflections and Emotional Impact

30:39 Support for Women in Crisis

35:36 Call to Action

Dr Atif Magbool is the Lead Consultant for the Inpatient Pediatrics Beds Under Psychiatric Coverage (PBUPC) team and a member of the CAMHS outpatient services at Sidra Medicine. He earned his MBBS from Omdurman University in Sudan and completed his psychiatric training in Ireland, obtaining his MRCPsych in 2012. He later specialized in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Scotland, receiving his CCT before working as a consultant there. He also holds diplomas in Clinical Psychiatry and Health Services Management and has extensive experience in managing a wide range of psychiatric and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents across inpatient, outpatient, and day hospital settings. He is also active in medical education and is fluent in Arabic and English, with proficiency in Serbo-Croatian.

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Art, Identity & Technology in Riyadh | Khaled Makshoush, Aya Abu Ghazaleh & Youssef El Idrissi

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Host Mikey Muhanna interviews emerging artists, Khaled Makshoush, Youssef El Idrissi and Aya Abu Ghazaleh, who share their experiences and artistic practices, covering their backgrounds, inspirations, and the challenges of being a young artist. Recorded live from Riyadh at Diriyah Art Futures, the episode delves into cultural exchanges, technological influences on modern art, and the evolving definitions of digital art in contemporary practice. Key themes include the emotional and cultural impacts of art, the role of social media and AI, and insights into individual journeys and broader artistic trends in the MENA region.

00:00 Introduction

01:31 Meet the Artists

03:48 Why Apply to the Program?

04:54 Daily Life in the Program

06:07 Exploring New Mediums and Styles

09:16 The Concept of Emerging Artists

15:16 Influences and Inspirations

19:27 The Role of Social Media for Artists

22:54 Cultural Exchange and Learning

26:35 Frustrations and Misunderstandings

27:50 Working with a Team

28:31 Tools and Skills for Emerging Artists

30:26 Facing Rejection and Maintaining Confidence

32:39 Defining Art in the Digital Age

36:01 AI's Impact on the Art World

39:39 Exploring Art Futures

40:52 Questions Artists Wish to Avoid

43:02 Current Projects and Research

49:04 Where to Find Them Online

A visual artist and art therapist, Aya Abu Ghazaleh’s work encompasses interactive installations and mixed media, exploring nature, memory, archives, sustainability, and digital tools, to harness art as a tool for resistance and healing. She has participated in residencies, exhibited internationally, and worked on numerous art programmes and workshops.

Connect with Aya Abu Ghazaleh 👉 https://instagram.com/ayaabughazaleh

Khaled Makshoush is a Saudi digital artist from Riyadh specializing in pixel art. He blends reality and imagination to create atmospheric digital paintings that explore the emotional essence of spaces. Through colors, shapes, and patterns, he crafts detailed scenes that invite viewers to experience his vision.

Connect with Khaled Makshoush 👉 https://instagram.com/kldpxl

Youssef El Idrissi is a multidisciplinary artist, cultural engineer, and researcher. His artistic practice utilises generative art as a mode of expression to decolonise imaginaries, explore indigenous mythologies, and engage in healing processes through occult means. He holds a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Cultural & Artistic Engineering.

Connect with Youssef El Idrissi 👉

https://instagram.com/youssefeidrissi_

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Prof Yasir Suleiman-Malley | Arabic in the Fray: Language Ideology and Cultural Politics

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Professor Yasir Suleiman-Malley speaks about the complexities of Arabic tracing his personal journey with the language, from early struggles with grammar to a deep appreciation for its richness. We explore the historical and pedagogical challenges of teaching Arabic, especially given its sacred status connected to the Quranic text and the socio-cultural resistance to modernizing its grammatical teaching methods. The conversation also delves into the dual nature of Arabic, the spoken and the written forms, their impact on education, everyday use, and the broader implications of Arabic as a cultural and identity-defining symbol in the Arab world.

00:00 Introduction

00:05 Professor Suleiman-Malley's Early Relationship with Arabic

01:24 Challenges in Teaching Arabic Grammar

05:34 Cultural and Historical Context of Arabic Pedagogy

11:30 Arabic as a Symbol of Identity and Conflict

15:43 The Health of the Arabic Language

23:50 Decolonization and Language

29:45 Reviving and Managing Languages

38:26 The Role of Language in Identity

39:19 Language as a Membership Card

41:04 Diversity and Unity in the Arab World

42:50 Cultural Arabness vs Racial Arabness

45:39 Historical Perspectives on Arab Identity

54:01 The Concept of Diglossia

01:03:08 Challenges of Written vs Spoken Arabic

01:07:11 The Future of Arabic Language and Identity

01:13:30 Final Thoughts

Professor Yasir Suleiman-Malley is Chair of the Panel of Judges, British-Kuwaiti Friendship Society Book Prize in Middle Eastern Studies. He serves as Trustee on the Boards of Arab-British Chamber Charitable Foundation, International Prize for Arab Fiction (in association with the Man-Booker Prize), Banipal Trust for Arab Literature and is trustee of the Gulf Research Centre-Cambridge. He is also Chair of the Advisory Board of the Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World, Chair of the Centre for the Study of the International Relations of the Middle East and North Africa (CIRMENA), Board Member of the Islamic Manuscript Association, Member of the Advisory Board of the Centre for Evaluation and Research in Muslim Education, Institute of Education, Member of the Advisory Board of The Doha Institute, Qatar and Member of the Advisory Board of Our Shared Future. He is a member of the editorial boards of a number of journals and book series. He is also Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, formerly Head of the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, and Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies.

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊

https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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Sami Al Daghistani | Al-Ghazali's Influence on Islamic Thought, Ethics & Economic Philosophy

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 08:00:00 +0000

We're joined by professor and author Sami Al Daghistani to explore the life and thought of Al-Ghazali, a prominent figure in Islamic intellectual history. We delve into Al-Ghazali's multifaceted contributions to Islamic law, philosophy, and theology, highlighting his major works, such as "The Revival of Religious Sciences" and "Deliverance from Error and the Beginning of Guidance." We examine his ethical system of economic thought, existential crises, and his impact on modern economic theory, ethics, and the philosophical landscape. The conversation also touches upon the relevance of Al-Ghazali's ideas in today's global economy and ethical contexts.

01:00 Introduction

01:28 Who Was Al-Ghazali?

04:04 Al-Ghazali's Journey and Spiritual Crisis

07:33 Al-Ghazali's Intellectual Contributions and Influence

09:59 The Philosophical Environment of Al-Ghazali's Time

15:12 Al-Ghazali's Ethical Economics and Pursuit of Happiness

29:24 Al-Ghazali's Views on Wealth and Economic Engagement

30:49 Active Engagement in Society and Wealth

31:44 Critiques of Materialism and Balance

32:56 Ethical Economics and Wealth Distribution

35:04 Islamic Perspectives on Capitalism and Socialism

39:02 Modern Islamic Economics and Finance

43:24 Connections to Western Philosophers

46:52 Historical Contributions and Misconceptions

51:47 Relevance of Classical Thinkers Today

01:00:09 Conclusion and Contact Information

Sami Al Daghistani is Associate Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Islamic Studies at Lund University, Associate Faculty at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research, and Research Scholar at Columbia University’s Middle East Institute. His research explores intersections of Islamic economics, ethics, law, and the environment through interdisciplinary and historical approaches. He is the author of The Making of Islamic Economic Thought (Cambridge, 2022) and Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī’s Ethical Teachings (Anthem, 2021), among other works. Sami holds a PhD from Leiden University and previously held fellowships in Oslo and New York.

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Samer Abboud | Syria's Political History From 1946

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 9 Jun 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Professor Samer Abboud from Villanova University is an expert on Syrian politics. He joins us to discuss the intricacies of Syria's political history from 1946 to the present, including the impact of French colonial rule, frequent coups, the United Arab Republic, the rise and governance of the Ba'ath Party, and the shift towards crony capitalism in the 2000s. Abboud shares insights on the lived experiences of Syrians through various political changes, the role of the military, and the economic philosophies underpinning different regimes. He also delves into the contemporary relevance of this history and offers a reading list for those interested in learning more about Syria.

00:00 Introduction

02:27 Overview of Syrian Political History

02:56 French Colonial Rule and Frequent Coups

08:21 United Arab Republic (UAR) and Its Impact

16:43 Ba'ath Party and the 1963 Coup

30:55 Brutality and Efficiency of the Regime

33:36 21st Century Syrian Politics

41:16 Role of Security Apparatus and Loyalty

47:38 Journalistic Perspectives on Syria

57:49 Recommended Readings and Films on Syria

Samer Abboud is Associate Professor of Global Interdisciplinary Studies at Villanova University and the author of Syria (Polity, 2018), a book that explores the outbreak and trajectory of the Syrian uprising. His research is broadly interested in warfare in Syria and the emergence of an illiberal post-conflict order in the country. He has recently published articles in journals such as Citizenship Studies, Peacebuilding, Middle East Policy, and The Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding that explore themes of illiberalism, post-conflict order, knowledge production, and Syrian reconstruction. His current research project is interested in the production of fear as a central mechanism of political rule prior to, and during, the period of the conflict, and how Syrians have differentially envisioned and acted upon this fear in cultural production. Samer sits on the Editorial Board of Security Dialogue and is a co-editor of Jadaliyya’s Syria page.

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The MENA's Pop Culture Landscape | With Editor-In-Chief of Dazed MENA Ahmad Swaid

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 2 Jun 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Previously Editor-in-Chief for GQ Middle East and currently for Dazed MENA, Ahmed Swaid has had an extensive career in media. He joins us to talk about his multicultural upbringing, from the UK, Syria and Lebanon, to Sierra Leone, and explores how his diverse background helps shape his unique vantage points in the media landscape. We discuss the challenges and insights of working in different media settings, the importance of representing various voices in the region, and Swaid's personal journey in creative industries. With engaging anecdotes and thoughtful reflections, this episode dives into the intricacies of cultural perspectives, identity, and the evolving content game in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

00:00 Introduction

00:33 Swaid's Multicultural Background

03:58 Early Influences and Pop Culture

09:08 Career Beginnings and Media Journey

12:02 Content Creation in Different Regions

16:53 Challenges in Media and Storytelling

24:11 Creativity in the Age of Chaos

31:43 Exploring the Meaning of "Dazed"

32:26 Cultural Significance and Global Reach

36:10 Casting and Featuring Diverse Talent

39:00 Challenges and Strategies in Media Representation

45:12 Pop Culture in the Arab World

52:56 Rapid Fire Questions

Ahmad Swaid is the founding Editor-in-Chief of Dazed MENA and previously EIC of GQ Middle East. He has led content for Dazed, AnOther Magazine, and Nowness, championing underrepresented voices and regional talent. Raised across London, Beirut, Freetown, and Aleppo, he brings a global perspective to his work, focusing on authentic storytelling from the Middle East and North Africa. He co-founded Creatives for Lebanon to support artists after the 2020 Beirut explosion and mentors young designers through the QASIMI RISING Talent Incubator.

Connect with Swaid 👉 https://www.instagram.com/ahmadaswaid/?hl=en

Explore Dazed MENA 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dazedmiddleeast/

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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Data-Driven Storytelling & Anti-Authoritarian Journalism | Mona Chalabi

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 26 May 2025 15:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The afikra Podcast, we're joined by renowned journalist Mona Chalabi who discusses her latest animated series "#1 Happy Family USA" with comedian Ramy Youssef, her unique data-driven and illustrated approach to journalism, and the use of humor as an effective communication tool. The conversation delves into Chalabi's upbringing, her views on authority and respect in journalism, the importance of lived experiences in storytelling, and the ethical complexities of representing marginalized voices. We also explore the challenges of the journalism industry, the impact of social media, and the significance of platforming diverse perspectives in media.

00:00 Introduction
03:18 Childhood Interests and Ambitions
04:53 No to Fan Culture
07:47 Data Journalism and Human Stories
12:15 Challenges in Journalism and Representation
16:39 Economic Crisis in Journalism
21:27 Growing Up During the Iraq Invasion
23:12 The Role of Journalists in Shaping Consent
24:35 The Challenges and Resilience of Protest Movements
26:41 The Importance of Local Reporting
29:12 Journalistic Integrity and Future Reflections
33:16 Balancing Activism and Media Consumption
34:33 The Process of Creating and Revising Work
39:23 The Debate on Platforming Opposing Views
44:46 Final Thoughts

Mona Chalabi's work has earned her a Pulitzer Prize, a fellowship at the British Science Association, and an Emmy nomination and recognition from the Royal Statistical Society. In recent years, her art has been exhibited at the Tate, the Brooklyn Museum, the Design Museum, and the House of Illustration. She studied international relations in Paris and Arabic in Jordan. Mona works beside windows, sometimes in her hometown of London but usually in Brooklyn where she is writing a book about the ways we talk about money. It has been optioned by A24 as a documentary series. She is also the executive producer and creative director of an upcoming animated TV show with Ramy Youssef, A24 and Amazon Studios. Her writing and illustrations have been featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker and The Guardian where she is currently the data editor. Her video, audio, and production work has been featured on Netflix, NPR, the BBC, and National Geographic.

Connect with Chalabi 👉 https://www.instagram.com/monachalabi/

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
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The Evolution and Impact of Saudi Art | Mohammed Hafiz of ATHR

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 19 May 2025 15:00:00 +0000

We talk to Mohammed Hafiz, the founder of ATHR Gallery and Foundation, about his journey in the art world, the evolution of Saudi contemporary art, and the founding of ATHR Gallery and the Saudi Art Council. Hafiz shares personal stories from his first experiences with art, the creation of ATHR, and the "Edge of Arabia" exhibition. He discusses the development of the Saudi art scene, its impact on the global stage, and the role of major initiatives like the Islamic Biennale and certain art weeks across the Middle East. Hafiz also provides insights into the challenges and opportunities within the art industry, highlighting the importance of being agile and responsive to dynamic cultural developments.

00:00 Introducing Mohammed Hafiz and His Unique Approach to Art
02:30 Hafiz's Early Encounters with Art
05:19 The Birth of ATHR Gallery
08:55 Challenges and Successes in the Art World
17:42 The Evolution of the Saudi Art Scene
21:30 The Role of Jeddah and the Saudi Art Council
28:10 The Life of an Artist: Challenges and Realities
32:29 The Struggles of Becoming a Full-Time Artist
33:28 Contemporary Art Trends and Public Interest
34:46 Building Saudi Arabia's Art Ecosystem
37:39 Global Art Competitions and Collaborations
41:14 Economic Impact of Creative Industries
46:49 The Future Vision for Saudi Art
57:19 Exploring Art in the Arab World

Mohammed Hafiz (b. 1975, Jeddah) is a prominent advocate for Saudi art, known for transforming the perception of contemporary Saudi art locally and internationally. He supported Edge of Arabia’s touring exhibitions (2008–2014) and curated its first major Jeddah show in 2012. In 2009, he co-founded ATHR with Hamza Serafi—now one of the Kingdom’s leading contemporary art spaces, with a strong educational mission. In 2014, he helped establish the Saudi Art Council and served as Vice Chairman, launching the annual 21,39 Jeddah Arts exhibitions (2014–2022), showcasing Saudi modern and contemporary art. Hafiz was CEO of Al Sawani Group (2005–2020) and currently sits on the boards of Madina Art Center, Misk Art Institute, and Dar Al Fikr Schools.

Explore ATHR 👉 https://www.instagram.com/athrart/

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and The Birth of History | Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 12 May 2025 15:00:00 +0000

We sit down with Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid, author of "Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and The Birth of History" an honorary fellow at Wolfson College, University of Oxford. She takes us on an incredible journey through ancient Mesopotamia, exploring the region's rich history, significant cultural innovations, and the development of the first writing system. We delve into the lives and contributions of notable Mesopotamians, including the first named author, princesses, and everyday people. We learn about ancient astronomy, the role of women in Mesopotamia, and the deep historical roots of many concepts we consider modern today. Tune in to understand why studying this ancient civilization remains crucial for our understanding of the present.

00:00 Introduction
00:31 Exploring Mesopotamia: Location and Significance
02:31 The Origins and Use of the Term "Mesopotamia"
03:15 Ancient Mesopotamia: Life in the Cradle of Civilization
05:52 The Birth and Impact of Writing Systems
09:11 Deciphering Cuneiform: The Rosetta Stone of Mesopotamia
12:51 The Importance of Studying Ancient History
15:16 Personal Stories and Objects from Mesopotamia
31:43 Understanding Heartbreak and Anxiety
32:45 The Evolution and Loss of Knowledge
35:45 Ancient Mesopotamian Medical Practices
37:20 Origins and Impact of Astrology
43:51 Women in Ancient Mesopotamia
51:53 Top Five Mesopotamians: Dead or Alive
57:09 Recommendations

Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid is an assyriologist and historian based at Wolfson College, University of Oxford, who specializes in cuneiform and the history of science in ancient Mesopotamia. Thousands of cuneiform tablets preserve breathtaking moments in early scientific endeavor, like a 4,000-year-old approximation of pi and ancient observations of Halley's Comet — moments she hopes to bring to a wider audience. She's written "Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and The Birth of History," and practices archaeology in her home country of Saudi Arabia to learn more about the its rich ancient history, from early writing to wild camels in rock art.

Connect with Dr Al-Rashid 👉 https://www.instagram.com/drmoudhy/

Get the book 👉 https://shorturl.at/TFyZl

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The Future of Energy After Oil in the GCC | Dr. Adnan Shihab-Eldin

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 5 May 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Senior visiting research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, Dr Shihab-Eldin joins us on The afikra Podcast to discuss his extensive career in nuclear and solar energy research, particularly his work in Kuwait on pioneering solar energy projects. We explore the challenges and potential of transitioning away from fossil fuels, the energy trilemma of affordability, security, and sustainability, and the role of decarbonization technologies. Dr Shihab-Eldin also reflects on the historical and future perspectives of energy supply and demand, the impact of carbon emissions, and the viability of nuclear power. We conclude with a discussion on climate change impacts in the Arab world and the necessity of international cooperation for future energy solutions.

00:00 Introduction
01:12 Early Career and Solar Energy Initiatives
04:10 Challenges and Opposition to Solar Energy
05:37 Energy Reserves and Future Predictions
09:19 The Energy Trilemma
11:57 Environmental Impact and Efficiency
23:40 Global Emissions and Climate Change
29:51 Global Race and Industrialization
31:04 Direct Air Capture Technology
33:33 Scaling and Cost Challenges
34:33 Political Will and Global Cooperation
40:35 Renewable Energy and Solar Power
43:59 Global Warming and Climate Change in the Arab World
54:11 Nuclear Energy: Past, Present and Future
59:24 Final Thoughts

Adnan Shihab-Eldin is a senior visiting research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies and a board member of the Kearney Energy Transition Institute. A former research physicist at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, he has held academic and visiting positions at institutions such as Kuwait University, UC Berkeley, Harvard, and CERN. He previously served as director general and board member of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, and held senior roles at organizations including the IAEA, UNESCO, and OPEC. A long-standing member of the World Federation of Scientists’ Energy Permanent Monitoring Panel, he also co-chairs its Management of Catastrophic Risks panel. Shihab-Eldin has received numerous honors, including the IAEE’s 2023 award for Outstanding Contributions, the 2022 Spirit of Salam Award, and UC Berkeley’s 2017 Elise and Walter A. Haas International Award.

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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The Moriscos & the Purging of Muslim Spain (1492-1614) | Matthew Carr

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:00:00 +0000

The author of "Blood and Faith: The Purging of Muslim Spain, 1492 to 1614," delves into the complex history of Muslim Spain, starting from the arrival of Muslims in Spain in 711 under a North African general, the formation of al-Andalus, and its eventual decline. Matthew Carr explains how the Spanish Christians perceived the conquest of Granada in 1492 as a divine and final victory, leading to the expulsion of Jews and Muslims. The discussion highlights the forced conversions, the life of the Moriscos (converted Muslims) under Christian rule, and the extreme measures taken by the Spanish Inquisition to ensure religious uniformity. Carr also reflects on the modern parallels of ethnic cleansing in Palestine and societal intolerance, linking historical events to contemporary issues.

00:00 Introduction: The Concept of Blood and Faith
01:10 Historical Context: Muslim Arrival in Spain
02:24 The Fall of Granada and Its Aftermath
03:37 Carr's Inspiration for Writing the Book
03:59 The Moriscos: A Forgotten History
05:20 The Expulsion of the Moriscos from Spain
18:49 The Concept of Purity of Blood
22:54 The Fall of Granada: A Religious and Political Triumph
31:07 The Aftermath of 1492: Forced Conversions and Rebellions
34:15 Forced Conversions in Spain
34:50 Muslim Workers in Valencia
37:48 Christian Intolerance and Inquisition
40:38 Cultural Resistance and Rebellion
45:27 The Expulsion of the Moriscos
54:32 Historical Reflections and Modern Parallels

Matthew Carr is a writer, journalist, and author of several books of nonfiction, including Blood and Faith :The Purging of Muslim Spain. He has written for a variety of publications, including The New York Times, The Observer, The Guardian and others.

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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Desert Geography: The Entangled Fates of Arizona and the Arabian Peninsula | Natalie Koch

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 15:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The afikra Podcast, Professor Natalie Koch – the author of "Arid Empire: The Entangled Fates of Arizona and Arabia" – helps us dive into the unexpected connections between the deserts of Arizona and the Arabian Peninsula, beginning with the story of Hi Jolly and the camel experiments of the mid-19th century. The discussion explores how these arid spaces serve as political and imperial tools, the role of white experts in influencing desert landscapes, and the intricate history of agricultural projects that link these seemingly distant regions. Chapters include the origins of Koch's interest in the subject, detailed histories of desert colonization, and the broader implications of these transnational connections.

00:00 Introduction to Desert Politics
01:20 The Unlikely Connection: Arizona and Saudi Arabia
02:53 The Story of Hi Jolly and the Camel Experiment
11:40 Geography and Its Modern Implications
14:45 The Political Significance of Deserts
18:38 Colonial and Imperial Narratives
22:14 The Role of White Experts in the Arabian Peninsula
24:17 Arizona's Colonial History
27:46 The Influence of Old World Desert Knowledge
30:49 Recruiting White Settlers to Arizona
31:41 The Role of Railroads and Pamphlets
32:56 Western Mythology and Camels in Films
34:41 California's Date Industry and Arabian Influence
36:43 The Short-Lived Camel Experiment
37:40 Global Connections of Deserts
43:42 Transnational Agricultural Projects
51:23 Controversies and Misappropriations
52:50 Recommended Readings and Resources

Natalie Koch is a political geographer working on the topics of geopolitics, nationalism, energy and environmental politics, science and technology studies, and sports geography. Empirically, her research focuses on the Arabian Peninsula, where she studies the many transnational ties that bind the Gulf countries, actors, and ideas to other parts of the world. She has published extensively in journals such as Political Geography, Geopolitics, and Society and Natural Resources, and she is the author of "Arid Empire: The Entangled Fates of Arizona and Arabia," "The geopolitics of spectacle: Space, synecdoche, and the new capitals of Asia" (Cornell University Press, 2018), and co-editor of the Handbook on the changing geographies of the state: New spaces of geopolitics (Edward Elgar 2020). She is currently a professor at Syracuse University in the Department of Geography and the Environment, Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs.

Find Koch's books 👉 https://nataliekoch.com/

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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Let's Diagnose Global Health Today | Dr Slim Slama

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 15:00:00 +0000

The CEO of the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), Dr Slim Slama, joins us on this episode of The afikra Podcast to give an in-depth look into the complexities and challenges facing global health today, including the rise of non-communicable diseases, the impact of urbanization, and the inequity in health systems worldwide. The conversation also explores the innovative approaches in healthcare, the role of AI, and the specific health issues pertinent to the Arab world. Through his diverse experiences working in crisis-affected areas and his insights on the evolving dynamics between the East and the West, Dr Slama provides an enriching perspective on how to advance global health for all.

This episode was recorded on March 6 and is brought to you in collaboration with Qatar Foundation.

00:00 Introduction
01:23 Defining Global Health
04:12 Evolution of Public Health Issues
06:59 Health Challenges in the Arab World
11:00 Healthcare in Crisis-Affected Areas
14:22 Ministries of Health: Performance and Challenges
25:19 Global Health Workforce Shortages
28:34 AI in Healthcare: Opportunities and Challenges
38:12 Healthcare in Gaza: Current Situation and Future
41:42 Impact of Political Decisions on Global Health
45:03 Future of Healthcare in the Arab World
47:11 Conclusion and WISH's Future Plans

Dr. Slim Slama is the Chief Executive Officer of the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) at Qatar Foundation. He is an internal medicine specialist and a public health expert with over 25 years of experience in global health. For more than a decade at the World Health Organization (WHO), his role was Regional Adviser for Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) prevention and management at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. He transitioned to the Head of the Management-Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Unit (MND) where he provided strategic leadership and oversaw the development and implementation of a portfolio focused on early detection, diagnosis, and management of NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, oral health, and digital health solutions. His work also extended to implementation research and managing NCDs in humanitarian settings.

Connect with Dr Slama 👉 https://ch.linkedin.com/in/slimslama

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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Camera Obscura and Photography's Roots in Tehran | Behzad Khosravi Noori at Quoz Arts Fest

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Artist, archivist, and educator Behzad Khosravi Nouri, and Richard Lackey from Fujifilm Middle East delve into Behzad's unique exhibition at Gulf Photo Plus, titled "The Life of an Itinerant Through a Pinhole," which explores his grandfather's photographic work in Tehran during the 1950s and 60s using a handcrafted camera. Richard explains Fujifilm's involvement in creating a giant walk-in camera obscura for the exhibition. We discover the historical and emotional significance behind Behzad's work and how it sheds light on the working-class immigrant community in Tehran, the democratization of photography, and the concept of "soul catcher" cameras.

This special episode of The afikra Podcast was recorded on the Quoz Arts Fest stage at alserkal in Dubai in January, and is one in five episodes which were published on this podcast or Quartertones. Make sure to check them out!

00:00 Introduction to the Soul Catcher Camera
01:15 Behzad's Exhibition Overview
02:18 Fujifilm's Role in the Camera Obscura Project
04:30 Behzad's Personal Connection to Photography
05:38 The Historical Context of the Archive
06:31 Discovery of the Pinhole Camera
08:27 The Concept of the Soul Catcher
10:43 Photography as a Violent Act
16:07 Self-Orientalism in Photography
17:01 The Itinerant Theme in the Exhibition
18:38 Final Thoughts

Behzad Khosravi Noori is a PhD, artist, writer, educator, playgrounder and necromancer. His research-based practice includes films, installations, as well as archival studies. His work investigate histories from The Global South, labor and the means of production, and histories of political relationships that have existed as a counter narrative to the east-west dichotomy during the Cold War. His work has been shown at Kalmar Museum, Malmö art Museum, Timișoara Biennale, 12.0 Contemporary Islamabad, Tensta Konsthall, Venice Biennale, HDLU Zagreb, WHW Zagreb, Botkyrka Konsthall, CFF (Centre of Photography, Stockholm), Marabouparken, and Centre of Contemporary art, Riga, among other venues.

Connect with Behzad 👉 https://www.instagram.com/behzad.khosravi.noori

Gulf Photo Plus is a center for film photography in the UAE which cultivates visual practices through year-round workshops, art programs, exhibitions, community events, publishing, state-of-the art printing services, and specialized photography resources.

Explore Gulf Photo Plus 👉 www.gulfphotoplus.com

Hosted by:
Bayan Dahdah 👉 https://www.instagram.com/bayandahdah

Bayan Dahdah is a multidisciplinary designer and the founder of Sarj - a mobile seat made for sketching, with which she gives traveling observational sketching workshops in groups. Using the tactile touch of art (sketchbooks, memorabilia), and the freedom/accessibility of digital art (graphic design elements/photographs) she aims to retell her memories and document her journeys. Hailing from an architectural background, she has dabbled in the fields of photography, graphic design and film. Writing and directing a short film titled Shishbarak with the Doha Film Institute, which screened at the Malmo Arab Film Festival and the Chicago Palestine Film Festival, has allowed her to understand the fundamentals of narrative storytelling, as well as how to manifest this visually.

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Using Urban Fabrics Literally To Explore Layers That Shape Our World | Zé Tepedino at Quoz Arts Fest

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Brazilian artist Zé Tepedino tells his fascinating story of journeying from Rio to Dubai, his innovative public art residency, and the creative process behind his large-scale fabric installation. He shares his unique perspective on materials, their histories, and their transformation into art. Host Bayan Dahdah helps him delve into his childhood, inspirations, and his ritualistic approach to experiencing new cities, culminating in an engaging discussion about his exhibition Passion Fruit.

This special episode of The afikra Podcast was recorded on the Quoz Arts Fest stage at alserkal in Dubai in January, and is one in five episodes which will be published on this podcast or Quartertones. Make sure to check them out!

00:00 Introduction to the Artist and Fabric as a Medium
01:45 Zé Tepedino's Journey to Dubai
04:44 Childhood Inspirations and Early Artistic Influences
07:14 The Significance of Objects and Materials
13:35 The Creative Process and Studio Rituals
18:43 Experiencing and Adapting to Dubai
23:47 The Story Behind "Passion Fruit"
26:23 Closing Remarks

Zé Tepedino was born in 1990 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a contemporary artist renowned for his minimalist approach to abstract forms. He holds a bachelor's degree in Visual Communication from the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (2017) and has further honed his craft under the mentorship of Charles Watson at Atelier Novo Mundo in 2016. His artistic practice is characterized by a deep engagement with his surroundings in Rio de Janeiro. He meticulously selects everyday materials and objects, transforming them through techniques such as sewing, painting, and sculpting. His work spans various mediums, including sculptures, installations, and performances, all reflecting a profound connection to Brazilian culture and traditions.

Connect with Ze 👉 https://www.instagram.com/zetepedino/

Quoz Arts Fest is a neighborhood festival by alserkal, where the freshest contemporary culture and creativity collide in one community event that welcomes young, old, families and pets. It features live performances, exhibitions, food trucks, pop-up shops plus a line-up of hands-on workshops, talks, and film screenings that aim to inspire. Artists transform the alserkal avenue's galleries and public spaces with immersive installations, and you get a close-up on them as well as rising musicians and DJs making waves through conversations on stage.

Follow alserkal 👉 https://www.instagram.com/alserkalavenue
Explore Quoz Arts Fest 👉 https://quozartsfest.alserkal.online/

Hosted by:

Bayan Dahdah 👉 https://www.instagram.com/bayandahdah

Bayan Dahdah is a multidisciplinary designer and the founder of Sarj - a mobile seat made for sketching, with which she gives traveling observational sketching workshops in groups. Using the tactile touch of art (sketchbooks, memorabilia), and the freedom/accessibility of digital art (graphic design elements/photographs) she aims to retell her memories and document her journeys. Hailing from an architectural background, she has dabbled in the fields of photography, graphic design and film. Writing and directing a short film titled Shishbarak with the Doha Film Institute, which screened at the Malmo Arab Film Festival and the Chicago Palestine Film Festival, has allowed her to understand the fundamentals of narrative storytelling, as well as how to manifest this visually.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Lifting the Hijab Ban in Basketball, Growing Up Sudanese in Britain & Finding Home in Poetry | Asma Elbadawi at Quoz Arts Fest

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:00:00 +0000

We dive into the multifaceted life of Asma Elbadawi, a Sudanese British poet, photographer, basketball player, and activist. From her early struggles with dyslexia to lifting the hijab ban on women's basketball, Asma's story is one of perseverance and empowerment. We get an intimate look at her relationship with Sudan and how it influences her art. Asma gives a special poetry performance that encapsulates her experiences and emotions.

This special episode of The afikra Podcast was recorded on the Quoz Arts Fest stage at alserkal in Dubai in January, and is the first in five episodes which will be published on this podcast or Quartertones. Make sure to check them out!

00:00 Introduction
01:16 Meet Asma Elbadawi
02:04 Asma's Multifaceted Journey
03:56 Exploring Poetry and Photography
05:20 Connection to Sudan
08:18 Artistic Expression and Vulnerability
13:08 Cultural and Religious Influences
15:16 Parental Support and Personal Growth
17:20 The Power of Dua and Career Breakthroughs
21:11 Closing Remarks and Poetry Performance

Asma Elbadawi is a Sudanese-British spoken word poet, athlete and photographer. She is known to have petitioned and succeeded in convincing the International Basketball Association (FIBA) to remove a ban on hijabs and religious headwear in the professional sport. She brings unique stories to life through sport, poetry, and visual arts, with a distinctive approach that blends creativity with purpose. Her work is rooted in cultural storytelling, empowering individuals, and creating lasting impact.

Connect with Asma 👉 https://www.instagram.com/asmaelbadawi

Quoz Arts Fest is a neighborhood festival by alserkal, where the freshest contemporary culture and creativity collide in one community event that welcomes young, old, families and pets. It features live performances, exhibitions, food trucks, pop-up shops plus a line-up of hands-on workshops, talks, and film screenings that aim to inspire. Artists transform the alserkal avenue's galleries and public spaces with immersive installations, and you get a close-up on them as well as rising musicians and DJs making waves through conversations on stage.

Follow alserkal 👉 https://www.instagram.com/alserkalavenue
Explore Quoz Arts Fest 👉 https://quozartsfest.alserkal.online/

Hosted by:
Lulwah Ayyoub 👉 https://www.instagram.com/lulwahayoub/

Lulwah is the Director of Social Protection at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in KSA. She previously worked at The World Bank, holding roles as a Social Protection Specialist and consultant in the Poverty and Equity and Social Protection Global Practices. She's also worked in the Behavioral Economics Unit at Hawaz and occupied various research roles at Georgetown University, The Brookings Institution, and Evidence for Policy Design (EPoD).

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Inside the Islamic Arts Biennale | HE Rakan Altouq & Dr Julian Raby

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 3 Mar 2025 16:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the afikra podcast, host Mikey Muhanna speaks with His Excellency Rakan Altouq – Vice Chair of the Diriyah Biennale Arts Foundation and Assistant Minister for Culture of Saudi Arabia – and Dr Julian Raby, one of the artistic directors of the Islamic Arts Biennale. Live from the historic Hajj terminal in Jeddah, they discuss the significance of this architectural marvel and its role as a fitting venue for the Biennale, aimed at showcasing the richness and diversity of Islamic arts and culture. This edition, themed "وما بينهما," (AND ALL THAT IS IN BETWEEN), includes seven unique components that explore various aspects of Islamic art, from sacred texts and artifacts to contemporary installations. The conversation delves into the deep emotional and intellectual impact that the Biennale hopes to achieve, the inclusive and interdisciplinary approach adopted by the artistic directors, and the Biennale's resonance with both local and international visitors. The discussion emphasizes the Biennale's potential to reshape narratives, provoke new thoughts, and foster a sense of pride and identity among attendees.

00:00 Introduction
00:32 Significance of the Hajj Terminal
06:00 Overview of the Islamic Arts Biennale
10:06 Exploring ALBIDAYAH
18:46 A Holistic Experience Beyond Objects
25:09 Diversity of ALMADAR Section and ALMUQTANI Collection
30:37 Looking at Islam and Islamic Arts Holistically
43:45 The Role of Contemporary Art
52:56 Impact and Future of the Biennale

His Excellency Rakan Altouq is the Vice Chairman of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation and assistant minister of culture of Saudi Arabia.

Dr Julian Raby is a co-director of the Diriyah Islamic Art Biennale and the Director Emeritus of the National Museum of Asian Art of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC (formerly known as the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M Sackler Gallery). He served as director of these museums from 2002 until 2017, and previously, he was a university lecturer in Islamic Art & Architecture at the University of Oxford from 1979 until 2006.

The Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 provides a holistic platform for new discourse about Islamic arts, offering an unparalleled space for learning, research, and insight. By juxtaposing contemporary and newly commissioned artworks with historical objects from Islamic cultures, the Biennale explores how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through feeling, thinking, and making. It offers a unique platform for artists to explore themes of spirituality, identity, and the intersection of past and present, while fostering cross-cultural connections and expanding the global understanding of Islamic art and culture.

More about the Islamic Arts Biennale 👉 https://biennale.org.sa/en

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Crude Capitalism: Oil, Corporate Power, and the Making of the World Market | Prof Adam Hanieh

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The afikra Podcast, host Mikey Muhanna speaks with Professor Adam Hanieh, author of "Crude Capitalism: Oil, Corporate Power, and the Making of the World Market," to discuss the transformative role of oil in shaping global economics and politics. The conversation delves into the historical context of oil production, including the rise of Standard Oil and the dominance of the Seven Sisters, the emergence of the term "petrodollars," OPEC's influence, and the strategic movements of oil in the global market. The discussion also addresses the implications of oil on geopolitical relations, particularly in the Middle East, the US, and the emerging role of China. Prof Hanieh examines the flawed solutions proposed to address the climate crisis and the ongoing pervasiveness of fossil fuel reliance.

00:00 Introduction
01:05 Understanding Petrodollars
02:52 The Genesis of "Crude Capitalism"
05:30 Historical Context: Oil as a Commodity
08:22 Oil and War: a Strategic Resource
16:58 The Rise of the Seven Sisters
23:51 US Hegemony and Petrodollars
29:44 The Formation and Role of OPEC
37:33 Oil and Financial Markets
48:13 China's Role in the Global Oil Market
56:39 The Stakes of Energy Politics
01:00:44 Final Thoughts

Adam Hanieh is a professor of Political Economy and Global Development at the University of Exeter’s Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies and a Distinguished Research Fellow at Tsinghua University. A leading scholar of Middle Eastern political economy, his work examines Gulf capitalism, class dynamics, and state formation. He is the author of Money, Markets, and Monarchies (2018) and Crude Capitalism: Oil, Corporate Power, and the Making of the World Market (Verso Books, 2024). His research has been widely published, and he holds a Political Economy Fellowship with the Independent Social Research Foundation, while also serving on several editorial and advisory boards.

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Exploring the Future of Art | Haytham Nawar on Diriyah Art Futures

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 11:24:41 +0000

In this episode of The afikra Podcast, host Mikey Muhanna talks to the director of Diriyah Art Futures, the MENA region’s first hub dedicated to New Media Arts, established by the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia. Haytham Nawar discusses DAF’s focus on the intersection between art, science, and technology, aiming to create a hub for new media and digital art in Saudi Arabia and beyond. The conversation covers the hub’s emerging artists program, which includes mentorship, workshops, and exhibitions, as well as the challenges of building and sustaining such an innovative institution. Nawar also delves into the history of New Media Arts in the Arab world and shares insights on the role of AI in contemporary art practices.

00:00 Introduction
01:04 Exploring Art Futures and New Media Arts
02:57 The Importance of art education in the Arab region
05:29 Inside the Diriyah Art Futures hub
07:02 Emerging New Media Artists Programme and pedagogical approach
16:21 Historical Context of New Media Arts
21:55 Challenges and future of New Media Arts in the Arab World
27:29 Inaugural Exhibition: Art Must Be Artificial
33:24 The Role of AI in art and ethical considerations
37:50 Future vision and sustainability of Diriyah Art Futures
42:30 Final thoughts

Haytham Nawar is an Egyptian artist, designer, scholar, and educator. He is the director of Diriyah Art Futures, the MENA region’s first hub dedicated to New Media Arts, established by the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia. He is also the founder and director of Cairotronica, a festival of electronic and new media arts in Cairo.

Connect with DAF 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dafmoc/

Learn more about Diriyah Art Futures 👉 https://daf.moc.gov.sa/en

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Curating Art Shows at Jaou Tunis & Navigating Artistic & Cultural Politics | Taous Dahmani

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 3 Feb 2025 16:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The afikra Podcast, host Mikey Muhanna chats with Dr Taous Dahmani, a London-based art historian, writer, and curator. She discusses her career, her ties to Tunis, and curating the exhibitions Unstable Point and Assembly at Jaou Tunis. She explores the socio-political themes in these works, the challenges of political expression in art, and fostering dialogue among artists from Africa and Southwest Asia, reflecting on their impact amid global issues.

00:00 Introduction
02:01 Connection to Tunis and Curatorial Challenges
04:02 Unstable Point Exhibition
06:40 Curatorial Process and Artist Selection
20:35 Political Context and Art
27:21 Emotional and Political Dimensions of Art
35:16 Featured Artists at Jaou Tunis and Their Work
48:31 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

Dr Taous R. Dahmani is a historian of photography, researcher, and writer, who divides her time between London and Marseille. Her PhD focused on the intersection of political actions and photographic practices. She is also editor and content advisor at The Eyes, a trustee of the Photo Oxford Festival, and is on the editorial board of MAI: Visual Culture and Feminism.

Connect with Taous 👉 https://www.instagram.com/taous_r_dahmani/?locale=fr_ca&hl=en

Explore Jaou Tunis 👉 https://www.instagram.com/jaoutunis/

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Nadia Maftouni on the Legacy of Ibn al-Haytham in Camera Obscura | With Fujifilm & Gulf Photo Plus

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:00:00 +0000

The afikra podcast is back with a new season hosted by Mikey Muhanna. We kick off with an episode in partnership with Fujifilm and Gulf Photo Plus with Iranian academic, philosophical author, and artist Nadia Maftouni, who delves into the groundbreaking contributions of Ibn al-Haytham to modern science. Known as the father of modern optics, Ibn al-Haytham's extensive work on camera obscura, empirical science, and mathematics laid the foundation for future scientific advancements. Maftouni explores his methodology, significant works like the "Book of Optics," and how his concepts influenced later scholars such as German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler. Additionally, Maftouni sheds light on Ibn al-Haytham's time under house arrest and his enduring impact on science and philosophy.

00:00 Introduction
01:34 Historical Background of Camera Obscura
03:16 Ibn al-Haytham's Contributions to Optics
04:50 Ibn al-Haytham's Methodology and Scientific Approach
06:49 Ibn al-Haytham's Influence on Later Scientists
07:51 House Arrest and Major Works
12:07 Philosophical Views and Scientific Method
16:19 Transmission of Knowledge to Europe
17:45 Ibn al-Haytham's Legacy and Influence
31:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Nadia Maftouni is an Iranian academic, philosopher, author, and artist. She's a leading scholar of Farabian, Avicennian, and Suhrawardian philosophy, and also specializes in Jurisprudence and Islamic History. She is a professor at the University of Tehran, a Senior Research Scholar at Yale Law School, and serves on the History of Philosophy Quarterly editorial board.

Explore Gulf Photo Plus 👉 https://gulfphotoplus.com/

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Dr Sohaira Siddiqui | Al-Mujadilah: Center & Mosque for Women

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 2 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the afikra podcast produced in collaboration with Qatar Foundation, we discover the impactful contributions and current challenges faced by Muslim women as Dr Sohaira Siddiqui discusses the vision and mission of the Al-Mujadilah Center and Mosque for Women in Qatar. We explore the center’s role as a community hub fostering civic engagement, education, and debate for Muslim women. Dr Siddiqui provides insights into the unique and essential space aimed at creating a sense of belonging and addressing contemporary issues within the framework of Islamic tradition. Learn about the historical context of Muslim women's participation in public life, as well as the center's efforts to support their development and empowerment globally.

00:00 Introduction: Unrecognized Contributions of Muslim Women
00:26 The Vision Behind Al-Mujadilah
01:22 What is Al-Mujadilah
02:00 The Importance of a Dedicated Space for Muslim Women
04:37 Building Al-Mujadilah from the Ground Up
06:28 The Meaning Behind the Name "Mujadilah"
09:15 Civic Engagement and Women's Agency
13:57 Three Pillars of Al-Mujadilah's Work
16:11 Challenges Faced by Muslim Women
21:09 Community Response and Program Offerings
27:57 Understanding Opinions vs Analysis
29:46 Navigating Religious Questions
31:57 Case Studies and Key Scholars
34:53 Historical Context of Islamic Law
38:48 Colonial Impact on Islamic Law
53:05 Future Vision for Al-Mujadilah

Dr Sohaira Siddiqui is the Executive Director of Al-Mujadilah and Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University in Qatar. Her work focuses on the relationship between law, theology and political thought in classical Islam; Islamic law during British colonization; Islamic law in contemporary Muslim societies; and secularism and modernity in relation to Muslims in the West. She is the author of Law and Politics Under the 'Abbasids: An Intellectual Portrait of al-Juwayni (Cambridge University Press, 2019) and Locating the Shari'a: Legal Fluidity in Theory, History and Practice (Brill, 2019). She has also published numerous articles in Islamic Law and Society, Journal of Islamic Studies, Journal of the American Oriental Society, and Middle East Law and Governance. She has held fellowships at Cambridge University, Tubingen University and Harvard Law School.

Connect with Dr Siddiqui 👉 https://www.instagram.com/sohairasiddiqui/

Al-Mujadilah is a center and mosque that seeks to cultivate a community of women who are committed to their own growth and that of their communities. It's a community of women who engage meaningfully and sincerely with their histories, who bravely address the injustices they identify, who are inspired by conversation, dialogue and debate, and who are continuously seeking new horizons.

Explore Al-Mujadilah 👉 https://www.instagram.com/almujadilah.qa
https://www.facebook.com/almujadilah.qa
https://x.com/almujadilah_qa

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Maha El Akoum | Obesity Epidemic & Health Policy in the Arab Gulf

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the afikra podcast, we chat with Maha El Akoum, the Manager of Content and Policy at WISH, to try to explore the causes of childhood obesity – especially in the Arab world and particularly in the Gulf – and to understand the complexities of dealing with it. Based in Qatar, Maha discusses the alarming rise in childhood obesity within the Gulf region, but also globally. She explores factors contributing to the epidemic such as lifestyle changes, dietary habits, economic factors, and urban planning. The conversation also covers potential solutions, highlighting successful policies in other nations and outlining the comprehensive approach needed to tackle obesity effectively. Maha emphasizes the societal efforts as well as the policy changes required for meaningful impact.

00:00 Understanding the Complexity of Obesity
00:18 Introduction to WISH and Its Mission
02:38 Childhood Obesity in Qatar and the Region
04:07 Factors Contributing to Obesity
04:59 Impact of Lifestyle and Economic Development
08:07 Global and Regional Contexts of Obesity
11:23 Effective Policies and Solutions
12:50 Understanding Taxation on Unhealthy Foods
13:16 Challenges and Successes of Food Taxation
14:33 Public Awareness and Healthy Eating Campaigns
15:53 The Societal Impact of Obesity
19:23 School-Based Interventions
23:22 Trends and Statistics in Childhood Obesity
27:20 Global Perspectives and Effective Policies
28:56 Comprehensive Policy Interventions
39:20 Next Steps and Future Plans
41:41 Recommendations and Resources

Maha El Akoum is the manager of Policy and Content Development at the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH). Her particular research interests include genomics and precision medicine, global health, health policy, healthcare innovation and health systems development. With a strong interest in patient safety, Maha has led several initiatives on a national level, such as the Academy for Emerging Leaders in Patient Safety in collaboration with MedStar Health, as well spearheading several research projects looking into the role of nurses in creating a culture of safety. Maha also managed what was formerly known as the WISH Young Innovators program (from 2015-2019), where she was involved in the shortlisting of the candidates and overall execution of the program.

Connect with Maha 👉 https://qa.linkedin.com/in/maha-el-akoum-mph-51228b66

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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Narcy at Habibi Festival 2024 With Appearances by Hamed Sinno, Nadine El Roubi, Omar Offendum & Niko | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 6 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Habibi Festival is back for another year at Joe's Pub, bringing Arabs, comrades, and lovers of music together in New York in these difficult times that our nations continue to endure. And for another year, afikra was on stage to speak to the musicians and bring their conversations and performances to you on afikra's Quartertones podcast.

Who better to kick off the season with than the one and only Iraqi-Canadian rapper, writer and teacher Narcy who's been – for decades – making music about the atrocities and racism that the Arab region and people have endured. Narcy calls on his friends and peers Hamed Sinno, Nadine El Roubi, Omar Offendum & Niko to join him on stage in an evening filled with poetry, music and solidarity.

Narcy shares his journey of grieving the Iraq War and the blessing and importance of community in the ongoing healing process. He also discusses cultural production as a form of resistance, reflecting on when to be silent, when to be loud, and when to amplify one’s voice in protest. He and his wife, Sondos, have embodied these principles through Maktaba, their Montreal-based library dedicated to celebrating Arab culture, which he also speaks on.

0:00 Narcy Intro Performance
10:21 Poetry on Sudan by Nadine El Roubi
13:57 Narcy Invites Niko on Stage to Perform With Him
21:36 Who Cares If Kamala's Black?: Narcy & Omar Offendum Perform Together
25:10 Poetry by Hamed Sinno
29:36 Narcy Joins Hamed Sinno to Perform a Mashrou' Leila Track & Tribute to Narcy's Brother Nawaf
37:41 Mikey Interviews Narcy on Stage

Yassin Alsalman, better known by his stage name Narcy (formerly The Narcicyst), is an Iraqi-Canadian rapper, author, university instructor and actor who has shaped the music and culture of the Arab world. He currently resides in Montreal and has produced albums such as World War Free Now, We Are the Medium, and SpaceTime.

Follow Narcy 👉 https://www.instagram.com/narcynarce

Check out Maktaba 👉 https://www.instagram.com/maktaba.bookshop

Created with the goal of giving a snapshot of contemporary and traditional music of the South West Asia North Africa (SWANA) region, every year Habibi Festival takes listeners on a journey of the sounds wafting through the airwaves and living rooms of cities spanning Marrakech to Baghdad. This performing arts festival (now in its fourth year) is a collaboration between the Director of Joe's Pub Alex Knowlton, artist/composer/curator Yacine Boulares, and curator/producer Meera Dugal who are bonded by the goal of creating more joyful spaces for performance, conversation, and storytelling from this part of the world.

Follow Habibi Festival 👉 https://www.instagram.com/habibifestival

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

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THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
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Beirut Southern Suburbs & Hezbollah: History & Truth | Mona Harb

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In this special episode of This Is Not a Watermelon podcast, we speak to Professor Mona Harb, co-founder of the Beirut Urban Lab at the American University of Beirut, to help us delve into the intricate socio-political dynamics and historical narratives of Beirut's southern suburbs, known as "Dahiyeh" that's been under severe Israeli bombardment since September.

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Manufacturing Consent and Fake News | Marc Owen Jones

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 2 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In this episode, produced in collaboration with the Qatar Foundation, Marc Owen Jones — Associate Professor of Media Analytics at Northwestern University Qatar — talks to us about this age of disinformation and how it manifests in the context of the Middle East. We discuss regulating social media platforms and try to understand what exactly disinformation is and where it came from. Touching on significant socio-political events such as the Arab uprisings of 2011, Professor Owen Jones reflects on the unique role that social media plays in the region. Referencing the dangers posed by monopolized social media platforms and data colonialism, we also talk about how the news industry is changing and what this means for historical records. Finally, the conversation moves to young people today and how they grapple with Ai, disinformation, false and new narratives, and orientalist perceptions of the Arab world.

Marc Owen Jones is Associate Professor of Media Analytics at Northwestern University Qatar. He is the author of Digital Authoritarianism in the Middle East: Deception, Disinformation and Social Media.

Connect with Marc 👉 https://www.instagram.com/marcowenjones/?hl=en

Get his book 👉https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/digital-authoritarianism-in-the-middle-east/

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=shared

ABOUT AFIKRA

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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Tracy Chahwan | Beirut Bloody Beirut

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Tracy Chahwan's bold and vibrant posters have become a common fixture of Beirut's walls, and her colorful illustrations are known and loved by people across the Arab world and beyond. For this episode of the afikra podcast, she joined us in our Beirut-studio to reminisce on the early days of her career, and discuss key influences and what it means to remain authentic as an artist. Referencing her work for Beirut Groove Collective, Samandal, the Nib and ultimately publishing her own comic novel "Beirut Bloody Beirut", Tracy maps how her style has evolved over time. She talks about the difference between commissioned and personal work, what it takes to brand and market yourself as an artist, and how her relationship with Beirut has shifted and changed over the years.

0:00 Introduction & Relationship to Beirut

1:29 Does Beirut Need to Get Its S*** Together?

5:12 Starting Out & Key Inspirations

9:12 Self-Censorship & Comic Journalism

14:54 Guantanamo & Current Projects

18:36 How the Comics Landscape Has Changed

24:56 Personal vs Commissioned Work

33:10 Emerging Talent & Illustrators From the Arab World

36:40 Beirut Bloody Beirut & How the City Has Changed

42:04 Resource Recommendations

44:38 The World of Comics

Tracy Chahwan is a cartoonist and illustrator from Lebanon. She started her career in Beirut, producing street art and posters for local independent music venues like the Beirut Groove Collective, and working with the Samandal and Zeez comics collective publishing experimental comics and anthologies. In 2018, she published her first graphic novel "Beirut Bloody Beirut", a story of two girls lost in the Beiruti night. After the Lebanese revolution in October 2019, she turned to journalistic comics, contributing to books such as "Guantanamo Voices" and "Where to Marie? Stories of Feminisms in Lebanon".

Connect with Tracy 👉 https://www.instagram.com/tracychahwan/

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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Personal Narratives in Collective History, Consumer Culture & Mass Production | Raed Yassin

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 08:05:37 +0000

What is the difference between being an artist and an entertainer? What are the nuances of conveying humour and comedy through art? In this conversation, multi-creative Raed Yassin gives us his take. From growing up in Beirut during the civil war and how this has impacted his work through to the story behind his "The Best of Sammy Clark" project from 2009, Yassin invites us behind the scenes of his creative practice. The conversation also touches on what it's like to work across disciplines and how being a creative has changed in the wake of October 7th and beyond.

Raed Yassin is an artist and musician. He graduated from the theater department at the Institute of Fine Arts in Beirut in 2003, and since then has developed his conceptual practice through multiple mediums such as video, sound, photography, text, sculpture and performance. Yassin’s work often originates from an examination of his personal narratives and their position within a collective history, through the lens of consumer culture and mass production. He is also one of the organizers of the Irtijal Festival for Experimental Music (Beirut), and has released several solo music albums. In 2009, he founded his independent music label Annihaya. Raed currently lives between Berlin and Beirut.

Connect with Raed 👉 https://www.instagram.com/raedyassinstudio/

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Lessons in Decolonization From North Africa's Global Thinkers | Idriss Jebari

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 5 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

What does it mean to decolonize our thinking? In this episode of the afikra podcast, we chat with Idriss Jebari, assistant professor at Trinity College Dublin, and discuss language, colonialism and 20th century North Africa. Tracking the transformation of North African countries through colonialism and independence, we learn about the ways that thinkers through the decades have approached decolonization.

Dive deeper into this episode with Idriss' reading list of books about decolonization, nation-building and culture in North Africa 👉 https://www.afikra.com/daftarjournal/decolonization-nation-building-amp-culture-in-north-africa-a-reading-list

This episode was recorded on June 7th 2024.

Idriss Jebari is a lecturer in Middle East Studies at Trinity College Dublin. He is a historian of Arab thought and his upcoming book will address North African cultural and social history after its independence's from France, on the radical sixties and seventies, on collective memory in the Arab world. After completing his doctorate the history of production of critical thought in Morocco and Tunisia at the University of Oxford, he held a postdoctoral research fellowship at the American University of Beirut (Lebanon), and at Bowdoin College in Maine (USA).

Connect with Idriss 👉 https://carnegieendowment.org/people/idriss-jebari?lang=en

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My Mother’s Extraordinary Life in Beirut of the Late 50s & Early 60s | Venetia Porter

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Venetia Porter is an Honorary Research Fellow at the British Museum. Formerly Curator of Islamic and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art at the British Museum, her published titles include "Reflections: Contemporary Art of the Middle East and North Africa", "The Islamic World: A History in Objects", "Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam" and "Word Into Art: Artists of the Modern Middle East".

Her mother, Thea Porter, known as the queen of 1960s Bohemian Chic, fused a love for Central Asian textiles with her personal experiences in Beirut working between Fashion & Interior Design. Her illustrious tapestry kaftans, Iraqi "Samawa" carpet coats, and antique chiffons saturated the pages of the era’s British Vogue. During the key decades of British boho-revival, beloved Porter designs were worn by the likes of Anita Pallenberg, Faye Dunaway, Lauren Hutton, the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd.

Connect with Venetia 👉 https://www.instagram.com/venetia_porter/

Thea Porter’s Scrapbook 👉 https://www.booksaboutart.co.uk/products/thea-porters-scrapbook

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

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THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl40ZRFvo_VVYg6i56flEjSK&si=hSVcqPQlXdqq3sgT

ABOUT AFIKRA

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

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#BohemianChic #TheaPorter #IslamicArt #Arab #ContemporaryArt #afikraPodcast #Beirut #Bloudan #Syria #Lebanon #ArabFashion

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Imperial Narratives vs Palestine’s Reality | Lorenzo Kamel

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 8 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +0000

This episode of the afikra podcast was recorded on April 10th at 1pm Palestine Time

Lorenzo Kamel teaches Global History and History of the Middle East and North Africa at the University of Turin. He has held teaching and research positions at Harvard University, the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, ‘Ain Shams University in Cairo, and a number of other universities in Europe and the Middle East. His most recent books are 'History Below the Global' (Routledge 2024) and 'The Middle from Empire to Sealed Identities' (Edinburgh UP 2020).

Connect with Lorenzo 👉 https://twitter.com/lorenzokamel?lang=en

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl40ZRFvo_VVYg6i56flEjSK&si=hSVcqPQlXdqq3sgT

ABOUT AFIKRA

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

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#Palestinian #Palestine #PalestinianHistory #HistoryPodcast #afikraPodcastNetwork

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Philanthropy in the Arab World | Maysa Jalbout

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 08:44:02 +0000

A masterclass in philanthropy in the MENA region. Maysa Jalbout has founded many private and corporate foundations along with starting the Queen Rania Foundation and being the founding CEO of the Al Ghurair Foundation. With over 25 years of experience in philanthropy in the Arab world, she offers a clear introduction to philanthropy in the region, points out its limits, and how it's changing. Reflecting on education in particular, she tackles short vs long-term issues, the chronic inefficiencies of the current status quo, and why it's time to start investing in local, grassroots organizations. This afikra podcast conversation also looks at Gaza's literacy rate and education system. Finally, Maysa shares her worry about the growing chasm between the West and East, especially when it comes to philanthropy, and addresses social enterprises vs non-profits.

Delve deeper into philanthropy in the Arab World with Maysa's recommendations for books and podcasts 👉 https://www.afikra.com/daftarjournal/maysajalbout

This episode was recorded on May 3rd 2024.

Maysa Jalbout is a global education advocate, philanthropy executive and impact advisor. She is an industry veteran and led the establishment of Al Ghurair Foundation, the Queen Rania Foundation and many other private and corporate foundations. A recognized leader in international development and philanthropy, Maysa has over 25 years of experience in building effective organizations, initiatives and innovative partnerships in Canada, the Middle East, and other territories.

Connect with Maysa 👉 https://twitter.com/maysajalbout

Listen to the Impact Room 👉https://open.spotify.com/show/4LJOSKamS6jZbCCVrAJI23?si=eccdb69003de48db

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

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Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=shared

ABOUT AFIKRA

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

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🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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Amazigh History of North Africa | Brahim El Guabli

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 08:00:00 +0000

The history of North Africa is infinitely complex and barbed with post-colonial tensions. In this conversation, Professor Brahim El Guabli helps to shed light on this region's history through an Amazigh lens. He tells us about the violence of the word "Berber", Morocco's Years of Lead, and qualifying French as a colonial language or not. The episode touches on the Jewish population of Morocco, searching for "other archives" in which absent histories can be found and engaged with, and how to decolonize one's own mind and self through research.

Discover more through Brahim's reading list 👉https://www.afikra.com/daftarjournal/north-african-history-through-an-amazigh-lens-resources-recommended-by-brahim-el-guabli

Brahim El Guabli is the Chair and Associate Professor of Arabic Studies. He is interested in topics of Maghrebi and Middle Eastern literature, including trauma and memory, Saharan imaginations, Jews in Arabic literature and film, transitional justice processes, translation, current events, Marxist Leninist Movements, Afro-Arab solidarities, and decolonization movements. He is the co-founder and co-editor of Tamazgha Studies Journal.

Connect with Brahim 👉https://twitter.com/sahraould

Read more about his book Moroccan Other-Archives: History and Citizenship After State Violence 👉https://www.fordhampress.com/9781531501464/moroccan-other-archives/

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

FOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:

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» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=shared

ABOUT AFIKRA

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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What We Can Learn From Political Defeat in Egypt | Atef Said

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 27 May 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Life as a human rights attorney in Egypt. Tahrir Square in 2011. How protests transforms into revolutions. It's all in this episode of the afikra podcast with professor Atif Said from the University of Illinois Chicago. He talks about rule of Law, liberalism, and what revolutions really mean in the Arab world, challenging its common definitions in reference to (de)coloniality, and offering an understanding that sees "revolution" as a coming together of dreams and reality. Atif also speaks about the symbolism that Tahrir Square gained as a site of revolution, life, death and spectacle versus the realities on the ground. Finally, he touches on the role that digital technologies have in shaping society, advocacy and repression and what the future of revolution might look like.

Atef Said is an associate professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, and a sociologist who's passionate about politics, revolutions and social change. His scholarship engages with the fields of sociological theory, political sociology, historical sociology, sociology of the Middle East, and global sociology. His book "Revolution Squared: Tahrir, Political Possibilities & Counterrevolution in Egypt" examines the 2011 Egyptian Revolution to trace the expansive range of liberatory possibilities and containment at the heart of every revolution.

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani

Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna

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About afikra | عفكرة: We are a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity. ⚡ Become a member today.

#Egypt #EgyptianRevolution #TahrirSquare #Egypt2011 #ArabSpring

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Kuwait's Architectural Awakening | Roberto Fabbri

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 13 May 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Architect, researcher, and associate professor at Zayed University, Roberto Fabbri, joined us on the afikra podcast to talk about Kuwait’s architectural transformation between 1949 and 1989 which he co-wrote a book about (with Sara Saragoça Soares and Ricardo Camacho) titled “Modern Architecture Kuwait 1949 - 1989”. In this deep dive into Kuwait’s architecture, Roberto contrasts “old Kuwait” and “new Kuwait”, maps out the modernist period in its context, and highlights the role of consumerism and obsolescence in how cities in the Gulf are understood. He points to a “cycle of demolition” for why cities such as Kuwait are unable to stratify or become preserved build environments that capture the memories of its inhabitants. Finally, we discuss the environmental impact of demolition and what we can learn from the story of Kuwait.

Read more about the architectural history of Kuwait's Skyline 👉 https://www.afikra.com/daftarjournal/kuwait-architecture And check out Roberto's recommendations for books to read about architecture in the Gulf 👉 https://www.afikra.com/daftarjournal/architecture-gulf

Roberto Fabbri is an architect, researcher, and associate professor at Zayed University, College of Arts and Creative Enterprises (UAE). His research interest engages with the notion of narrative spaces, reading the role of heritage and architecture in the definition of processes such as modernization, identity-making, knowledge exchange and establishment of traditions. With an emphasis on the Middle East and the Gulf, Roberto’s research embraces 20th-century architecture and its potential reuse as well as cultural spaces (museums and exhibitions) in the Global South. He co-authored the double-volume “Modern Architecture Kuwait 1949 - 1989” with Sara Saragoça Soares and Ricardo Camacho.

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#Kuwait #Architecture #ArchitecturalHistory #TheGulf #Modernism

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Cholera Changed Mecca Forever | Michael Christopher Low

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 7 May 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the afikra podcast, Professor Michael Christoper Low – director of the Middle East Center at The University of Utah – explains how Mecca and its burgeoning influx of pilgrims from around the world — transported by the recently invented steamships — became ground zero for cholera. He maps out how this situated the Hejaz within broader colonial interests. We reflect on perceptions and understandings of Mecca — placing it in a "trans-imperial" space — and Michael underscores that to understand the Arabian Peninsula we need to go beyond studying the Middle East and include the Indian Ocean and British Empire.

Michael Christopher Low received his PhD from Columbia University in 2015. He is the director of the University of Utah's Middle East Center and his primary research and teaching interests include the Ottoman Empire, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Ocean world, and environmental history. He is the author of Imperial Mecca: Ottoman Arabia and the Indian Ocean Hajj (Columbia University Press, 2020) which in 2021 won the Middle East Studies Association’s Albert Hourani Book Award.

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Eyeliner: A Cultural History | Zahra Hankir

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In this Ehkili episode with Zahra Hankir we discuss her book "Eyeliner: A Cultural History", the cultural significance of eyeliner, and the process of putting together an intersectional and cross-cultural study of its history. Zahra highlights eyeliner’s role as a cultural artifact, its use for protective, aesthetic and religious purposes, and how her book tries to decolonize the misunderstandings of the Arab world by centering its cultures and histories. We also touch on cultural preservation and erasure, particularly in the context of what is happening in Palestine.

This episode was recorded on March 27th, 2024.

Zahra Hankir is a Lebanese-British journalist, editor and author. She was awarded a Jack R. Howard Fellowship to attend the Columbia Journalism School and holds degrees in politics and Middle Eastern studies. Her first book "Our Women on the Ground" was a bestseller and won the Susan Koppelman award for best anthology in feminist studies. This second book "Eyeliner: A Cultural History" was a New York Times Book Review Editors’ pick and had starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal.

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Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna

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History of Slavery in North Africa | M'hamed Oualdi

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0000

M'hamed Oualdi – professor of history at Paris' Sciences Po University – joins us on the afikra podcast to delve into the often obscured and forgotten history of slavery in North Africa. Starting with his book "A Slave Between Empires: A Transimperial History of North Africa", he talks about why there's a pointed absence of awareness around the Arab world's own history of slavery, and details the history of slavery in Mamluk Tunisia and Egypt, the role of nationalism in erasing this period, and the position of anti-black racism in fueling the North African trade.

M’hamed Oualdi is full professor of history at Sciences Po-Paris. He is a historian of Early Modern and Modern North Africa trained in Arabic at Inalco-Paris and in history at the Sorbonne University (Paris 1-Panthéon Sorbonne) from which he obtained his PhD in 2008. Prior to joining the faculty at Sciences Po, he was associate professor at Princeton University (2013-2019) and maître de conferences at Inalco-Paris (2010-2013). His research has centered on two main topics: slavery and its social impacts on Ottoman Tunisia and the many effects of transitioning from the Ottoman rule to a French colonial domination in North African societies.

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Hijacked City: Urban Planning for a Better Beirut | Mona Fawaz

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the afikra podcast, we tackle the alternative histories of Beirut, planning cities that put communities first, and rethinking public spaces. Mona Fawaz — co-founder of Beirut Urban Lab and professor of Urban Studies and Planning at the American University of Beirut (AUB) — tells us about her research into Lebanon's temporary settlements, unearthing alternative histories of Beirut, and why the city still goes by its masterplan from the 50s which puts cars first. She explains the intricacies of urban studies, what "planning" as a profession actually means, and why she considers Beirut to be a "hijacked city". Finally, Mona tells us about the fascinating work and research that Beirut Urban Lab is doing and the visions she has for the future of this city.

Mona Fawaz is a Professor in Urban Studies and Planning at the American University of Beirut (AUB). She is also the co-founder of the Beirut Urban Lab at AUB, and serves as the director of the Social Justice and the City research program at the Issam Fares Institute of Public Policy (also at AUB). Mona was a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Studies at Harvard University during the 2014/15 academic year and in Summer 2017.

Beirut Urban Lab is a collaborative and interdisciplinary research space. It produces scholarship on urbanization by documenting and analyzing ongoing transformation processes in Lebanon and its region's natural and built environments. It intervenes as an interlocutor and contributor to academic debates about historical and contemporary urbanization from its position in the Global South.

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani

Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna

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Architectural Future of the Gulf: Out With the New In With the Old | Civil Architecture

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Read about Bahrain's Dilmun Mounds 👉 https://www.afikra.com/daftarjournal/dilmun-mounds

Civil Architecture is a cultural practice pre-occupied with the making of buildings and books about them. Civil's work asks what it means to produce architecture in a decidedly un-civil time, presenting a new civic character for a global condition. Since its founding by Hamed Bukhamseen and Ali Ismail Karimi, the practice has attracted a strong following for its provocative works and its offer of an alternate future for a nascent Middle East.

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Sole DXB: Bringing Street Culture to Dubai | Rajat Malhotra

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 8 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Rajat Malhotra — partner at Sole DXB: Dubai's annual footwear, music, art and lifestyle festival — comes on the afikra podcast to talk about bringing street culture to his home city. He shares what it was like starting the festival alongside his co-founders, reflects on his favorite acts from over the years, and what it's really like to curate an event of this scale. Rajat also reflects on Dubai's unique nature as a city that people of mixed heritage can easily make home, what Saudi Arabia's immense cultural investment might mean for Dubai's cultural eco-system, and whether political hip-hop can thrive in the Gulf.

Rajat Malhotra is a partner of Sole DXB alongside Hussain Moloohbhoy and Joshua Cox.

Sole DXB is an annual footwear, music, art, and lifestyle festival that takes place in the Dubai Design District in Dubai, UAE. It launched in 2011 as a modest gathering for sneaker enthusiasts and has since grown into a regional platform that brings global brands and performers to Dubai.

afikra partnered with Sole DXB in December 2023 to facilitate and moderate some talks as part of the festival.

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Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna

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Sharia Law, the State & Modernity’s Moral Predicament | Wael Hallaq

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 1 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Renowned professor of ethics, law and political thought and leading scholar of Islamic Legal Studies, Dr Wael Hallaq, joins us on this episode of the afikra podcast to discuss Sharia law, the modern state, Legal Orientalism, and the idea of a "stateless" yet still orderly world.

Dr Hallaq deals with reductionist understandings of Sharia law, critiques modernism and the modern state, and breaks down the successes and shortcomings of Edward Said's Orientalism. We discuss the concept of Legal Orientalism, delve into the advanced complexities of Sharia law, and talk about his book "The Impossible State: Islam, Politics, and Modernity's Moral Predicament". Finally, Dr Hallaq talks passionately about what he calls the "bankrupt realities" we're facing in the modern era and calls the very states and systems that make up our world into question.

Wael B. Hallaq is the Avalon Foundation Professor in the Humanities at Columbia University, where he has been teaching ethics, law, and political thought since 2009. He is considered a leading scholar of Islamic Legal Studies and Islamic Law. He has written several books including "The Impossible State: Islam, Politics, and Modernity's Moral Predicament" and "Restating Orientalism: A Critique of Modern Knowledge".

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani

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Unapologetically Palestinian: Arab Comedians in America | Maysoon Zayid

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 16:44:55 +0000

Maysoon Zayid, Palestinian comedian, actress, graphic novel author and co-creator of the NY Arab-American Comedy Festival, joins us on the afikra podcast to talk all things comedy, Palestine, Arab-America, and advocating for the disabled community.

Maysoon talks about how she grew up to be the confident, unapologetic, publicly Palestinian comedian we know and love today. She gives us an insight into the world of comedy: from testing new material, getting bored of making fun of Donald Trump, and being vilified as an Arab comedian in the United States. Finally, she tells us about her upcoming graphic novel "Shiny Misfits".

Maysoon Zayid is a Palestinian comedian, actress, writer and disability advocate who was born and raised in New Jersey. She is the co-founder and co-executive producer of the New York Arab American Comedy Festival and The Muslim Funny Fest.

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani

Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna

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Platforming Regional Design Excellence Design Doha | Fahad Al Obaidly

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000

The first of three live Design Doha podcast recordings features an interview with the Biennial's deputy director Fahad Al Obaidly. He takes us behind the scenes of Design Doha, breaks down what "Celebrating Regional Design Excellence" means in practice, and how the Biennial roots itself in locality. Fahad tells us about the strength of the design industry in the Arab World as well as his personal highlights from the Biennial.

Fahad Al Obaidly is the Deputy Director of Design Doha, as well as a fashion designer, artist and filmmaker.

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Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna

Design Doha is a landmark biennale dedicated to creative innovation, here to foster the design culture of the MENA region, and create a space of design excellence in Qatar. It provides creatives and institutions with a space to showcase their designs and ideas. The biennale is committed to offering tangible and authentic solutions, showcasing the richness of MENA culture and creativity, while highlighting the exceptional design environment of Qatar on the global stage.

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Where Media in the Arab World Stands Today | Marwan Kraidy

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Marwan Kraidy, CEO and Dean of Northwestern Qatar and leading scholar of global communication and media, joins us on the afikra podcast to discuss media, truth, and journalism in the Arab world.

This episode dives into the impact of mobile phones, reflects on whether social media is a force for good or not, and explores the notion of “socio-political maturity”. We discuss how the center of gravity for media in the Arab world has shifted to the Gulf and why the old adage “Cairo writes, Beirut publishes and Baghdad reads” no longer holds true. Finally, we talk about the business model for media in the Arab world right now and why Turkish TV series have seen such major success.

Marwan M. Kraidy is dean and CEO of Northwestern in Qatar. He founded the Institute for Advanced Study in the Global South, which hosts multidisciplinary teams of faculty and students dedicated to evidence-based storytelling on the diverse histories, cultures, societies and media of the Global south. He is a scholar of global communication and an authority on Arab media, culture and politics.

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani

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The History & Impact of Paper in the Islamic World | Jonathon Bloom

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Art historian, educator and author Jonathan Bloom joins us on the afikra podcast to talk about paper, print and the Islamic world. He talks us through changing understandings of "Islamic" art and architecture through the decades, explains the premise of his book "Paper Before Print: The History and Impact of Paper in the Islamic World" and whether it's worth using the term "Islamic Art" in the first place. We touch on the fascinating architectural history of the Minaret, the cultural impact of paper, and what it's like to co-write and work alongside his wife Sheila Blair.

Jonathan M Bloom is an art historian, author and educator. He retired in 2018 as the Norma Jean Calderwood University Professor of Islamic and Asian Art at Boston College and in 2019 as the Hamad Bin Khalifa Endowed Chair of Islamic Art at Virginia Commonwealth University, positions that he shared with his wife and co-author Sheila Blair.

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Building with a Future Vernacular | Wael Al Awar

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 6 Mar 2024 08:15:21 +0000

Wael Al Awar is an architect and founder of waiwai alongside Kazuma Yamao — an architectural, landscape, urban, interior and graphic design studio with offices in Dubai and Tokyo. Waiwai takes a highly contextual approach to address social, environmental and technological questions through design. Wael was the chief Curator of the National Pavilion of the UAE for the Bienalle di Venezia 2020 and 2021, and recipient of the Golden Lion Award.

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani

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Demystifying Sufism | Waleed Ziad

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Waleed Ziad is an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the author of Hidden Caliphate: Sufi Saints beyond the Oxus and Indus" which won the Albert Hourani Prize. His research concerns the historical and philosophical foundations of Muslim revivalism and revivalist responses to internal political fragmentation and colonialism in the "Persiante" world.

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Why is Islam So Misunderstood? | John Esposito

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

John Esposito is a Professor of Religion and International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University. He is the Founding Director of the Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding and The Bridge Initiative: Protecting Pluralism - Ending Islamophobia in the Walsh School of Foreign Service. He has written over 55 books including "What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam", "The Future of Islam", and "Islam and Democracy after the Arab Spring".

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What Exactly Is Islamic Art? | Wendy Shaw

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Wendy Shaw is an art historian and professor of the Art History of Islamic Cultures at the Freie Universität berlin. Her book "What is 'Islamic' Art?: Between Religion and Perception" explores the perceptions of arts, including painting, music and geometry through the discursive sphere of historical Islam including the Qur'an, Hadith, Sufism, ancient philosophy, and poetry. By emphasizing the experience of reception over the context of production, Shaw creates a new approach not only to Islam and its arts, but also as a decolonizing model for global approaches to art history.

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Decolonizing & Decentering Theater in the Arab World | Laila Soliman

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Thu, 8 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Laila Soliman is an independent Egyptian theater director and playwright who lives and works in Cairo. Born in Cairo, she gained a degree in theater and Arabic literature from the American University in Cairo and a MA at Dasarts in Amsterdam.

Her performances have been shown across the Arab world, India, South Africa and Europe. Her first opera production – Woman at Point 0 – based on Nawal el Saadawi’s novel by the same name premiered in 2022.

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani

Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna

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ERIC CALDERWOOD | Rethinking Al-Andalus | The afikra عفكرة podcast

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 5 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

We reflect on why it's difficult to put an exact date on when al-Andalus actually "ended", the brotherhood it has created between Spain and Morocco and the importance of these interconnected histories.

Finally, Eric shares how music and dance led him to study al-Andalus and why he chose to explore this topic from five different perspectives including from Pan-Arab, Feminist and Palestinian viewpoints.

Eric Calderwood is Associate Professor of Comparative and World Literature at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the author of the award-winning Colonial al-Andalus: Spain and the Making of Modern Moroccan Culture. He is a contributor to NPR, the BBC, and Foreign Policy. His most recent publication is On Earth or in Poems: The Many Lives of Al Andalus.

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MEHDI BENCHAABANE | AI in Education: The Challenges & Opportunities for Schools | The afikra عفكرة podcast

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Thu, 1 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

We sat down with Mehdi Benchaabane, director of Qatar Academy Doha, to discuss the current advantages and shortfalls of AI in the classroom. We discuss the significant questions AI has raised around educational honesty and integrity, key concerns at all levels from students, educators and policymakers to parents, and whether the educational system as a whole is broken. Mehdi highlights the unique dynamic between teachers and their students who, as digital natives, are naturally adept at working with and leveraging new technologies. Finally, we reflect on whether AI will redefine educators as "master prompt engineers" who are simply teaching their students how to work effectively with these tools and the linguistic challenges of AI in Arabic.

Mehdi Benchaabane is the director of Qatar Academy Doha. Before taking up his current position, he was the director of the Qatar Foundation’s Education Development Institute where his work focussed on teacher professional learning, curriculum improvement and developing school leadership capacity.

The Qatar Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that brings together centers and programs focused on education, research and innovation, and community development.

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Nesrine & Bab L' Bluz at Habibi Festival 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the fourth of six, featuring a conversation with and performance by Nesrine Belmokh, along with more snaps from a performance by Bab L'Bluz at Joe's pub.

Nesrine Bolmokh is a Franco-Algerian singer, cellist and songwriter who brings the Mediterranean together with North Africa in her music.

Bab L'Bluz is a Moroccan-French rock band that was formed in Marrakesh in 2018 by Yousra Mansour and Brice Bottin. Their music takes inspiration from Gnawa music, blues, Chaâbi and Afrobeat and is born out of the "Nayda" movement which seeks to honor local culture and heritage.

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani

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ALIA AL-SENUSSI | Why We Should Pay Attention to Cultural Patronage & the Creative Economy in the Arab Region | afikra عفكرة Podcast #390

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Finally, she highlights the critical role that artists and their art play as “interpreters of our time” and the difficulties of building private and public collections, and shares her “playbook” for building a successful cultural institution. For art lovers and curious minds alike, Alia also shares her favorite museums, cultural institutions and galleries, and communities from across the region as well as her favourite North African artists.

Alia Al-Senussi is a cultural strategist and art world affairs advisor with nearly 20 years of experience in the field. She works with cultural organisations across the world to support the creative sector. She is Art Basel's UK and MENA representative and advisor for the Milken Institute of Arts and Culture, and has previously been chair of the Tate Young Patrons, founding member of the Tate's Acquisitions Committee for the Middle East and North Africa, and the board of Patrons of Art Dubai.

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani

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Bab L' Bluz, Tarek Yamani & Yacine Boulares at Habibi Fest 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the third of six, featuring a conversation with Bab L'Bluz's Yousra Mansour and Brice Bottin, along with snaps from a performance by Tarek Yamani and the the Yacine Boulares Quartet at Joe's pub.

Tarek Yamani is a Lebanese jazz-pianist, composer, producer and educator. Through his music, he explores the relationship between African-American jazz and Classical Arabic music.

Yacine Boulares is a French-Tunisian saxophonist, clarinetist and composer based in New York. His music explores North & West African rhythms as well as Jazz. He founded the Shems Record label and Habibi Festival in 2020.

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The Quartertones Podcast is a part of The Afikra Podcast Network

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Goodbye Julia: A Beautifully Nuanced Film About Sudanese Society | Mohamed Kordofani

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

We asked him about his decision to set the film between 2005 and 2011 — a significant moment in Sudan’s recent history — and who he made the film for: international viewers curious about Sudan or Sudanese cinema-goers reflecting on themselves. Finally, we untangle some of the main social critiques and themes that the film seeks to confront — in particular, racism between Northern and Southern Sudanese people.

Mohamed Kordofani is a Sudanese film director and screenwriter. He started out as an aviation engineer, before changing careers to pursue his passion for film. His first feature film, Goodbye Julia, gained international recognition and won the Freedom Prize at Cannes Film Festival. Since then, it has also been screened internationally and was selected by the Sudanese National Committee operating in exile in the category of Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.

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The kawalis Podcast is a part of The Afikra Podcast Network

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Amal Murkus & Firas Zreik at Habibi Fest 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

We partnered with Habibi Festival for a six-night celebration of ancient + contemporary sounds from Lebanon, Tunisia, Syria, Morocco, Palestine, Algeria and more! It all took place from October 1-7 at Joe's Pub in NYC.

Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the second of six, featuring a conversation with mother-son duo Firas Zreik – who has previously joined us on Quartertones – and Amal Murkus, as well as snaps from their performances at Joe's Pub.

Amal Murkus is a Palestinian singer, actress, producer, TV & Radio host. Born and raised in Kufer Yasef in the Galilee, her career has been dedicated to the promotion, preservation and enrichment of Palestinian music and culture around the world. Her music is pioneering in its creation of a post-modern musical style that brings different Mediterranean influences together.

Firas Zreik is an artist, composer, lyricist and educator. A Palestine-born New Yorker, Zreik has revolutionized global perceptions of the Kanun instrument. While still preserving its identity as a vital part of the Maqam tradition, Zreik has "stretched its potential as a cultural chameleon enhancing a range of fresh, evolving sounds." He has collaborated with a number of leaders including Roger Waters, Simon Shaheen, Amir ElSaffar, Fabrizio Cassol and his internationally-renowned mother and frequent artistic partner Amal Murkus, for who he works as musical director.

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

QuarterTones is afikra’s music podcast which hosts current Arab musicians from different geographies who play contemporary and modern music, including alternative scene or hip-hop, electronic, classical music, among other genres. The guests are invited to talk about their work and play their music – whether live or recorded – in three segments. The audience gets a chance to listen to some of the most interesting work from across the region and genres, and understand the music that these musicians and musicologists perform or study.

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg2zwxYLPXg&list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

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Apartheid, BDS & Palestinian-South African Transnational Solidarity | Andy Clarno

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

We're excited to announce that our special episodes on Palestine are turning into their own podcast. The atrocities that continue to take place in Palestine are a reminder that, more than ever, we need to dedicate our platforms to stand for justice and truth.

"This is not a watermelon" is a podcast about Palestinian history and culture. In this episode, we sat down with Andy Clarno, author of "Neoliberal Apartheid: Palestine/Israel and South Africa after 1994" to understand more about transnational solidarity particularly between South Africa and Palestine.

He helped us define apartheid and neoliberalism, sharing what he considers to be a useful working definition of the terms, unpacking their origins, and explaining what systems and realities they actually refer to.

We discussed what it takes to dismantle such systems and how essential the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction movement is. Andy sheds light on the decades-strong transnational solidarity between South Africa and Palestine, walks through the steps it took to achieve liberation in South Africa, and considers whether the post-apartheid South African model is what Palestine should be aspiring to.

Finally, Andy explains the concepts of racial capitalism and the relationship between neoliberalism and new forms of apartheid.

This episode was recorded on December 21st 2023 at 6pm Palestine Time.

Andy Clarno is an associate professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is the coordinator of the Policing in Chicago Research Group and specialises in Sociology and Black Studies. HIs research interests include racism, capitalism, colonialism, empire, policing and comparative racial formation. He is the author of Neoliberal Apartheid. About "Neoliberal Apartheid": This book traces the shifting dynamics of racial capitalism and settler colonialism in South Africa and Palestine/Israel after 1994. The book addresses the limitations of liberation in South Africa, highlights the impact of neoliberal restructuring in Palestine/Israel, and argues thata new form of “neoliberal apartheid” has emerged in both regions.

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

The afikra Podcast is our flagship series featuring experts from academia, art, media and beyond who are helping document and/or shape the histories and cultures of the Arab world through their ‎work. Our hope is that by having the guest share their expertise and story, the community walks away with a new ‎found curiosity and maybe some good recommendations about new nerdy rabbit holes to dive into head first. ‎

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/watchv=-0voh_EioBM&list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX

ABOUT AFIKRA

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

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Omar Offendum & Hadi Eldebek at Habibi Fest 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is one in six, and features a conversation with Hadi Eldebek and Omar Offendum – both of whom have been on Quartertones so make sure to go and check out those podcast episodes – as well as snaps from their performances at Joe's Pub.

Omar Offendum is a Syrian-American rapper and spoken word artist living in Los Angeles. An Architecture graduate, he was able to carve a distinct path for himself as a thoughtful entertainer and activist able to speak to a multitude of relevant issues and a diverse global audience over the course of a decade-long career. Offendum was named a Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Fellow for 2018/2019. Known for his unique blend of Hip-Hop & Arabic poetry, he’s been featured on prominent world news outlets, lectured at a number of prestigious academic institutions, collaborated with major museums & cultural organizations, and helped raise millions of dollars for various humanitarian relief groups.

Hadi Eldebek is a musician, educator and entrepreneur based in New York City. He has collaborated with prominent figures and institutions in the Arts, culture, and education sectors, including Yo-Yo Ma's Silkroad Ensemble, Harvard Graduate School of Education, The Kennedy Center, TED, and Disney World Imagineering. His piece for Oud & String Quartet, Istimrar, was played at Farkas Hall in Cambridge, MA featuring Yo-Yo Ma on Cello. In addition, Hadi has founded several cultural startups, including grantPA and Circle World Arts. His TED talk, discussing the importance of funding the arts and artists, has gone viral with over 1.25 million views.

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg2zwxYLPXg&list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

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RERUN Rashid Khalidi | 100 Years War on Palestine

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 10:56:51 +0000

This conversation is a rerun of a 2021 episode with Professor Rashid Khalidi author of "The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917–2017". We are rerunning this episode since our team is on a break until after the second week of January and the episode is filled with lots of great information.

Rashid Khalidi is the Edward Said Professor of Arab Studies in the department of History at Columbia University. He received his B.A. from Yale in 1970, and his D.Phil. from Oxford in 1974. He is co-editor of the Journal of Palestine Studies, and was President of the Middle East Studies Association, and an advisor to the Palestinian delegation to the Madrid and Washington Arab-Israeli peace negotiations from October 1991 until June 1993. He is author of: Brokers of Deceit: How the U.S. has Undermined Peace in the Middle East (2013); Sowing Crisis: American Dominance and the Cold War in the Middle East (2009); The Iron Cage: The Story of the Palestinian Struggle for Statehood (2006); Resurrecting Empire: Western Footprints and America's Perilous Path in the Middle East (2004); Palestinian Identity: The Construction of Modern National Consciousness (1996); Under Siege: PLO Decision-Making During the 1982 War (1986); British Policy Towards Syria and Palestine, 1906-1914 (1980); and co-editor of Palestine and the Gulf (1982), The Origins of Arab Nationalism (1991), and The Other Jerusalem: Rethinking the History of the Sacred City (2020).

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present, and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

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Unpacking the Phrase “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free” | Maha Nassar

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

This conversation offers a brief history of Palestine and its peoples, a look at the Palestinian experience both in exile and within modern-day Israel.

Professor Maha Nassar – author of Brothers Apart: Palestinian Citizens of Israel and the Arab world – talks us through the daily indignities, state repression, and racism faced by Palestinians in Israel. She unpacks the origins and meanings of the phrase "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" and how she goes about dismantling false narratives.

This episode was recorded on Friday, November 24 at 5pm Palestine Time Please note that we're recording special podcast episodes relevant to understanding the historical context of what is happening in Palestine. Make sure to check out the other highly informative conversations with guests from completely different disciplines who are generously sharing their time and insight in these dark times.

About Maha Nassar: Maha Nassar is an Associate Professor of Modern Middle East History and Islamic Studies at the University of Arizona. Specifically, she is a cultural and intellectual historian of the 20th century Arab world with a focus on Palestinian history. Nassar's research looks at the intellectual constructs of social, political and cultural identities to trace the circulation of political vocabularies that construct as well as contest nationalist narratives.

Nassar's book "Brothers Apart: Palestinian Citizens of Israel and the Arab World" examines how Palestinian cultural producers in Israel during the 1950s and 60s positioned themselves within an Arab and "Third World", social, cultural and intellectual milieu that extended far beyond the confines of the Israeli nation state. By mapping the strategies they deployed, her book demonstrates the importance of Arabic newspapers and literary journals in traversing national boundaries and in creating transnational and transregional communities of solidarity. In 2018 Brothers Apart received a Palestine Book Award for academic titles.

(via https://menas.arizona.edu/person/maha...)

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present, and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

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Navigating Sudan's Crisis: Insight on State, Society & Solidarity | Kholood Khair

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Sudan’s ongoing crisis gets little attention in western media if in any media at all. Kholood Khair helps us go beyond the sparce headlines to get a better sense of how the daily atrocities are affecting the broader society right now.

Kholood is a policy and political analyst and founding director of Khartoum-based “think-and-do” tank Confluence Advisory. We spoke to her about what it means to be Sudanese in this moment in time, tried to define "statehood" and "nationhood" in the Sudanese context, and explored the fragile relationship between democracy and stability.

She explains the repercussions of the capital Khartoum being at the epicenter of destruction and the wider impacts this has had on civil society, education and cultural production. Finally, laying bare her frustration around the fact that very few people are paying attention to Sudan, Kholood underscores the importance of transitional solidarity.

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present, and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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IBRAHIM ABUSHARIF | Unlearning Western Bias in Journalism | afikra عفكرة Podcast #383

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 4 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

As journalists on the ground in Gaza are targeted, the “truth” weaponized, and an information war for the ages unravels, we sat down with Professor Ibrahim Abusharif to discuss the construction of narratives, framing terminologies, and the ethics of journalism. Delving into questions of decolonizing journalism, the boundaries between storytelling and reportage, and pushing back against established journalistic practices, we explore the state of (war) reporting and how coverage of the Arab world has changed over time.

Professor Abusharif points us towards the Al Jazeera effect and what he sees as a destabilization of western dominance over media narratives. He also offers some tips for how to decolonize pitches and reporting and some recommendations for what to read.

This episode was recorded in collaboration with the Qatar Foundation.

Ibrahim Abusharif is an associate professor in residence in Northwestern University Qatar’s Journalism and Strategic Communication Program. His research focuses on narrative journalism, religious studies, and the decolonization of storytelling. He looks in particular at the intersection of religion and media, as well as digital media disruptions and their effects on contemporary religious authority. His work also explores the origins, promulgation, and effects of key journalistic framing terminologies used in prominent Western news sources in their coverage and reportage of the Middle East and Muslim minorities in the West.

***** ABOUT THIS SERIES *****

The afikra Podcast is our flagship program featuring experts from academia, art, media and beyond who are helping document and/or shape the histories and cultures of the Arab world through their ‎work. Our hope is that by having the guest share their expertise and story, the community walks away with a new ‎found curiosity - and maybe some good recommendations about new nerdy rabbit holes to dive into head first. ‎

Explore all afikra Podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0voh_EioBM&list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present, and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 30 locations worldwidehttp://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work: http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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The Nakba on Netflix: Through the Eyes of a 14-year old Palestinian Girl | Darin Sallam

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Farha – the internationally acclaimed film that brought the Nakba to screens around the world – depicts the heartwrenching events of 1948 through the eyes of a 14-year old girl. In her debut film, director Darin Salam creates an intense, feminine story that captures the emotions and human experience of the Nakba in a raw yet approachable way.

In this special podcast episode, Darin explains how the story of Farha found her, offers context for viewers who aren’t familiar with events around the Nakba, and breaks down the logistical elements of casting, shooting and producing the film. She talks about how she positions Farha as a meaningful contribution to a wider conversation that uses art and film as a means to preserve this history for generations to come.

Finally, Darin speaks to the fear and initial reluctance she faced from the film industry as well as the challenges she overcame to secure funding that respected the integrity of the story she was trying to make.

This episode was recorded on November 9 2023 at 11am Palestine time.

***** ABOUT THIS SERIES *****

Movie Night is an interview series that calls for afikra community members who are interested in all types of production for the small and big screen to zoom into the work of professionals from the field – from actors and directors to scriptwriters and cinematographers. This interview series is an opportunity to ask questions about the plot, the behind the scenes, themes and information about a film or TV series and discover some of the best work from experts in the field who are from the Arab world.‎

Explore all Movie Night episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39iF2VuxlZ0&list=PLfYG40bwRKl7IMTj6Jk7yAJXCMMqxaP5A

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BENJAMIN BROWER | France’s Colonial Violence in the Algerian Sahara | Conversations

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Colonial violence, resistance movements and French-colonial Algeria. Professor Benjamin Brower explains the ways in which violence is conceptualized, treating it as a historic lens to understand colonial events in the past and what is happening right now in Palestine.

This conversation is key for anyone who wants a detailed history of the French presence in Algeria and their mechanisms for colonial expansion and control, and to have a critical base of knowledge around colonialism and violence that can inform our understanding of what we’re witnessing in Palestine.

Benjamin Brower is an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a historian of colonial-era Algeria (1830-1962) whose research focuses on social and political questions, which he approaches through critical and literary theories, and postcolonial studies.

His first book, A Desert Named Peace: The Violence of French Empire in the Algerian Sahara, 1844-1902 (2009) tells the story of colonial violence in nineteenth-century Algeria, and it won two major book prizes.

****** ABOUT THE SERIES ******

afikra Conversations is our flagship program featuring long-form interviews with experts from academia, art, ‎and media who are helping document and/or shape the histories and cultures of the Arab world through their ‎work. Our hope is that by having the guest share their expertise and story, the community still walks away with new ‎found curiosity - and maybe some good recommendations about new nerdy rabbit holes to dive into head first. ‎Following the interview there is a moderated town-hall style Q&A with questions coming from the live virtual audience ‎on Zoom.‎

Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp

Watch all afikra Conversations: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity.

🖥️ Live Events & Conversations hosted on Zoom http://afikra.com/rsvp

📍 Local Events in 30 locations worldwide (17 in MENA, 7 in Europe, 6 in Americas) http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New Podcasts + Videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

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*******

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Reporting the Truth About Palestine & the Failure of Western Journalism | Dima Khatib

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 18:00:00 +0000

Dima Khatib, managing director at AJ+, is leading crucial work to speak truth to power in the face of what we’re witnessing in Palestine: tackling misinformation, dismantling false narratives on multilingual platforms, and standing apart in the current media landscape.

We start with a reflection on the targeting of journalists and the assassination of the truth from Iraq to what we’re witnessing right now in Gaza. We explore the idea of war of information and “embedded journalists”. Dima shares her first-hand experience in combating misinformation and replacing dehumanizing narratives, explaining AJ+’s approach to speaking to different audiences in their own languages about what’s happening on the ground.

We ponder about western media, the notable absence of journalists speaking up against injustice and war crimes, and the debilitating but far reaching double standards that permeate western media and popular narratives.

In a more hopeful light, Dima points to the powerful role of Gen Z on platforms like TikTok and Instagram and the fact that vocabulary such as “Nakba” and “settler colonialism” is becoming part of a common, global language.

Finally she shares reading recommendations from Jewish, Israeli and South American writers that have helped her understand what is happening in Palestine and to Palestinians, and the realities of colonialism and idigineity.

This episode was recorded on Tuesday November 14 at 6:45pm Palestine Time

Please note that we're recording special podcast episodes relevant to understanding historical context to what is happening in Palestine. Make sure to check out the other highly informative conversations with guests from completely different disciplines who are generously sharing their time and insight in these dark times.

About Dima:

Dima Khatib is the managing director of the award-winning AJ+ channels in four languages: English, Arabic, Spanish and French. She joined the Network in 1997 as a junior broadcast journalist in Qatar and went on to become the first female executive within Al Jazeera. Later, Dima set up bureaus in China and Venezuela where she was Al Jazeera’s bureau chief for almost a decade. Dima has reported from over 30 countries in five continents, interviewing presidents and people from all walks of life. Dima is a polyglot who has published the book “Love Refugee”. She has been classified as one of the most influential Arabs online since the early days of social media.

***** ABOUT THIS SERIES *****

Explore all afikra Podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0voh_EioBM&list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present, and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 30 locations worldwidehttp://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work: http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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Violence, Nonviolence & the Palestinian National Movement | Wendy Pearlman

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Peace processes, two-state vs one-state solutions and nonviolent protests. In conversation with Professor Wendy Pearlman from Northwestern University, we take two of her books as a foundation to examine grassroots activism historically and to consider a potential future “just” solution.

Wendy shares her views on realistic outcomes for the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli condition, and takes us through the history of Palestinian grassroots activism both in Palestine and internationally, delving deeper into the parallel between the apartheid in South Africa and in Palestine. Finally, we talk about the atmosphere on US college campuses right now — both for students and teaching staff. Wendy explains why she aims to speak to all her students in the classroom, regardless of where they stand on the Palestine issue.

This episode was recorded on November 8, 17:10 Palestine time

About Wendy:

Wendy is the Crown Professor of Middle East Studies and the interim Director of the Middle East and North Africa Studies Program at North Western University. She is a scholar of the comparative politics of the Middle East, social movements, and forced migration and has studied or conducted research in Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Spain, Germany, Israel and the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. She is the author of five books including Occupied Voices: Stories of Everyday Life from the Second Intifada (Nation Books, 2003) and Violence, Nonviolence, and the Palestinian National Movement (Cambridge, 2011).

Since June 2023, Wendy has served as co-editor-in-chief of the journal Perspectives on Politics. Previously, she was a Fulbright Scholar in Spain, a Starr Foundation Fellow at the Center for Arabic Studies Abroad at the American University in Cairo, a Junior Peace Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace, and a postdoctoral Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

***** ABOUT THIS SERIES *****

Explore all afikra Podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0voh_EioBM&list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present, and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 30 locations worldwidehttp://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work: http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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A Collective Responsibility Towards the Children of Palestine | Steve Sosebee

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Thu, 9 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund’s president and founder, Steve Sosebee, joins us to talk about Gaza’s children, the nature of the work that the PCRF is doing and the immense pressure that the healthcare and sanitary systems are under right now in Gaza.

Steve lays out the state of the healthcare system in Gaza pre- and post-October 7 and how the absolute destruction taking place is impacting their ability to support Gaza’s children and vulnerable patients. He conveys the reality of what “operational” means for hospitals doing their best to support the community in Gaza right now, as well as the risks posed by the spread of disease now and in the imminent future.

Finally, he explains why he believes there’s no sufficient psychological treatment or support for the trauma that Palestinian children are facing because the real source of the trauma is the continued occupation and state violence that they are enduring. This episode was recorded on Tuesday Nov 7, at 7pm Palestine time.

About Steve Sosebee:

Steve Sosebee is the president and founder of the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF). While working as a journalist, Sosebee met two children in Hebron who had been injured by a bombing of their home. He brought them from the West Bank to the USA for free medical care. Following this, he met and later married a Palestinian woman named Huda al Masry, a social worker with the YMCA in Jerusalem. Together, they built the PCRF with the support of a network of volunteers from all over the world. In 2009, Huda passed away from cancer and Sosebee moved back to Palestine with their daughters, building the first public pediatric cancer department in Beit Jala Hospital in his late wife’s name.

About PCRF:

Since its establishment in 1992, PCRF has become the primary humanitarian organization in Palestine that delivers critical and life-saving medical relief and humanitarian aid. To date, they’ve sent over 2000 children abroad for free medical care, as well as thousands of international doctors and nurses to provide tens of thousands of children free medical care in local hospitals. They have also delivered crucial humanitarian aid to Palestine’s children. PCRF has also established two pediatric cancer departments, a new PICU and pediatric cardiology department in Ramallah, amongst other projects that support the country’s healthcare system.

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****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present, and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 30 locations worldwidehttp://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work: http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

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The Architecture of Occupation | Nadi Abusaada

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 6 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

This conversation is about the spatiality and architecture of occupation. Abusaada talks to us about our very understanding of the land of Palestine, how maps invent geography and not the other way around, and why colonialism should be studied while it’s happening and not when it’s over and done with. We examine the way that humans interact with space – specifically under occupation – as well as the history of the Palestinian landscape and how it has been artificially and purposefully manipulated to further the Israeli agenda of control.

This episode was recorded on October 28, 10:42 Palestine time

Please note, we're recording special podcast episodes relevant to understanding historical context to what is happening in Palestine. Make sure to check out the other highly informative conversations with guests from completely different disciplines who are generously sharing their time and insight in these dark times.

Dr. Nadi Abusaada is an architect and historian. He is a Zürich Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute for the History and Theory of Architecture (GTA) at the Department of Architecture, ETH Zürich. Prior to moving to Zurich he was an Aga Khan Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Architecture and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He completed his PhD and M.Phil degrees at the University of Cambridge and his BA (Hons) at the University of Toronto. Abusaada is also the co-founder of Arab Urbanism which is a global network dedicated to historical and contemporary urban issues in the Arab region.

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Explore all afikra Podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0voh_EioBM&list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present, and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 30 locations worldwidehttp://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work: http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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German Guilt or Structural Racism Towards Palestinians | Sarah El Bulbeisi

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Thu, 2 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

A raw and honest conversation about Palestine, Germany and Palestinians in Germany. Sarah El Bulbeisi discusses the history of the Palestinian diasporic experience in Germany, the erasure, tabooization and criminalization of this very experience and the structural hostility, racism and trivialization faced by the Palestinian community and anyone in support of it there. Finally, she grapples with the notion of post-War guilt and its impact (or lack thereof) on the German perception and treatment of Palestinians.

This episode was recorded on Friday Oct 27 at 16:41 Palestine time.

Sarah El Bulbeisi completed her PhD at the Institute for Near and Middle East Studies at the LMU Munich, Germany and currently works as a post-doctoral research assistant at the Oriental Institute Beirut. Before joining the OIB she coordinated the DAAD project “Violence, Forced Migration and Exile: Trauma in the Arab World and in Germany”, a Higher Education Dialogue between Palestinian and Lebanese universities as well as with the LMU Munich. Prior to that, she worked as a lecturer and research associate at the Institute for Near and Middle East Studies at the LMU Munich. Her PhD thesis “Taboo, Trauma and Identity: Subject Constructions of Palestinians in Germany and Switzerland, 1960 to 2015” draws on conversations, life stories and participant observation and explores the tension between the (family) histories of first and second generation Palestinians, which are characterized by the experience of expulsion and dispossession, and the reshaping of this experience in the Western European representation of the so called Middle East conflict.

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Explore all afikra Podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watchv=-0voh_EioBM&list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present, and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 30 locations worldwidehttp://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work: http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

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غزة: التاريخ الاجتماعي تحت الاستعمار البريطاني | أباهر السقا

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

محادثة مهمة وغنية بالمعلومات حول مدينة غزة. من ثقافتها الخاصة وتاريخها الواسع الى الأثر الزلزالي للاستعمار البريطاني. عمر ذوابه يحاور البروفيسور أباهر السقا، مؤلف كتاب "غزة: التاريخ الاجتماعي لغزة تحت الاستعمار البريطاني (1917- 1948)" الذي يرسم صورة حية للحياة الاجتماعية والاقتصادية والثقافية في غزة منذ العصر المملوكي وحتى الاستعمار البريطاني. يسلط السقا الضوء على المدينة من عدسة التاريخ الاجتماعي وعلى الهوية المادية والثقافية المتعددة الأوجه لغزة وكيف تغيرت على مر العقود.

سجلت هذه الحلقة في 26 أكتوبر

يرجى ملاحظة أننا نقوم بتسجيل حلقات بودكاست خاصة لفهم السياق التاريخي لما يحدث في فلسطين. اطلع على المحادثات الأخرى الغنية بالمعلومات مع ضيوف من تخصصات مختلفة والذين يعطون من وقتهم ويشاركون رؤيتهم بسخاء في هذه الأوقات المظلمة
A timely and vital conversation about the city of Gaza: its rich history, culture, and the seismic impact of British colonial rule.

Omar Thawabeh interviews professor Abaher El-Sakka, author of Gaza: A Social History under British Colonial Rule, 1917-1948 paints a vivid picture of Gaza’s social, economic and cultural life from the Mamluk period through to the British colonial rule. He illuminates the city through a social history lens, shedding light on Gaza’s multifaceted physical and cultural identity and how it’s changed through the decades. This episode was recorded on October 26 Please note, we're recording special podcast episodes relevant to understanding historical context to what is happening in Palestine. Make sure to check out the other highly informative conversations with guests from completely different disciplines who are generously sharing their time and insight in these dark times

****** ABOUT THE SERIES ******

Watch all afikra Conversations: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

**** ABOUT AFIKRA ***‎*

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local Events in 30 locations worldwide (17 in MENA, 7 in Europe, 6 in Americas) http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New Podcasts + Videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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Centuries of Social History in Palestine | Professor Beshara Doumani

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 14:00:00 +0000

In conversation with Professor Beshara Doumani, the inaugural Mahmoud Darwish Professor of Palestinian Studies at Brown University. Professor Doumani gives us critical historical context for what's happening now in Palestine. Explaining why and how pre-colonial Palestinian history is relevant today, he draws a stark contrast between pre-WW1 Gaza and the besieged Gaza of the present-day.

This episode was recorded on October 24 at 20:44 Palestine time.

Please note, we are dedicating all the afikra podcast programming to special podcast episodes relevant to understanding historical context to what is happening in Palestine. Each episode will be recorded in real time and uploaded to YouTube and anywhere you get your podcasts.

About Beshara Doumani:

Beshara Doumani is the inaugural Mahmoud Darwish Professor of Palestinian Studies, the first chair of its kind dedicated to this field of study. He is also the founding director (2012-2018) of Brown's Center for Middle East Studies (CMES), and founder of New Directions for Palestinian Studies, a CMES initiative since 2012. From 2012-2020 he was the Joukowsky Family Distinguished Professor of Modern Middle East History.

Doumani's research focuses on groups, places, and time periods marginalized by mainstream scholarship on the early modern and modern Middle East, with a focus on the social, economic, and legal history of Eastern Mediterranean. He also writes on the topics of academic freedom, and the Palestinian condition.

His books include Rediscovering Palestine: Merchants and Peasants in Jabal Nablus, 1700-1900, and Family Life in the Ottoman Mediterranean: A Social History. He is currently working on the modern history of the Palestinians through the social life of stone. Doumani is the editor of a book series on Palestinian Studies published by the University of California Press, co-editor of the Jerusalem Quarterly and editorial committee member of the Journal of Palestine Studies. From 2009-2011, Doumani led a team that produced a strategic plan for the establishment of the Palestinian Museum. In 2015, Doumani and received the Sawyer Seminar award from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for the proposal, Displacement and the Making of the Modern World: Histories, Ecologies, and Subjectivities.

****** ABOUT THE SERIES ******

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity.

🖥️ Live Events & Conversations hosted on Zoom http://afikra.com/rsvp

📍 Local Events in 30 locations worldwide (17 in MENA, 7 in Europe, 6 in Americas) http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New Podcasts + Videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

*******

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Justice & Transnational Solidarity | Brendan Ciaran Browne

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

In conversation with interdisciplinary scholar Brendan Ciarán Browne, author of “Transitional (in)Justice and Enforcing the Peace on Palestine”, who has degrees in Law and a PhD in Sociology.

This episode was recorded on October 24 at 11:30 Palestine time.

About Brendan Ciarán Browne:

A native of Belfast, Dr Brendan Ciarán Browne is an interdisciplinary scholar with degrees in Law (LL.B, LL.M Human Rights) and a PhD in Sociology. He has held academic and research positions at Queen's University Belfast, Al Quds (Bard) University, Palestine and is currently Assistant Professor of Conflict Resolution, and a Fellow of Trinity College Dublin (FTCD). His research interests are focused on transitional justice, settler colonialism and liberal peacebuilding, and conflict and forced displacement. Dr Browne is an award-winning teacher, having been nominated twice for Trinity College Dublin's prestigious Provost's Teaching Award, winning the accolade in 2019. In addition, he has been nominated twice for the Trinity Civic Engagement Award in recognition of his work on community engagement in the North of Ireland and Palestine (being shortlisted in 2018). In 2023 he was again nominated for an award, the Excellence in Research Supervision at Trinity College Dublin, in recognition of his commitment to his research students.

In: 'Refugees and Forced Displacement in Northern Ireland's Troubles: Untold Journeys' (co-authored with Dr Niall Gilmartin, Liverpool University Press) Dr Browne challenges and broadens prevailing understandings of conflict-related violence, harm, and loss in Northern Ireland, so as to demonstrate the centrality of forced movement, territory, and demographics to the roots and subsequent trajectory of the 'Troubles'.

His most recent work: 'Transitional (in)Justice & Enforcing the Peace on Palestine' (Palgrave Macmillan) critically unpacks transitional justice practices that have been trialled in Palestine by arguing that such interventions mimic a deeply flawed liberal peacebuilding agenda, one that has been weaponised against the Palestinian population.

***** ABOUT THIS SERIES *****

Explore all afikra Podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0voh_EioBM&list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present, and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 30 locations worldwidehttp://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work: http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza #Palestine | Mara Kronenfeld | UNRWA-USA

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 16:10:00 +0000

Mara Kronenfeld, the Executive Director of UNRWA-USA, gives context about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza right now and the devastating impact the 17-year-long blockade has had on Palestinian life.

This episode was recorded on October 20 at 15:30 Palestine time.

Please note, that we are dedicating all the afikra podcast programming to special podcast episodes relevant to understanding the historical context of what is happening in Palestine. Each episode will be recorded in real-time and uploaded to YouTube and anywhere you get your podcasts.

Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra Founder & Executive Director

👉: https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity.

🖥️ Live Events & Conversations hosted on Zoom http://afikra.com/rsvp

📍 Local Events in 30 locations worldwide (17 in MENA, 7 in Europe, 6 in Americas) http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New Podcasts + Videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

*******

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Slavs and Tatars | Eurasian Narratives & the Linguistic History of the Muslim World

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

This conversation is a deep dive into every corner of the Muslim world. We hear about the story of Slavs and Tatar’s origins, what their work is concerned with, and why much of their activity is about disarticulation and decentering. We reflect on linguistic gravitas, the meaning of language, paying attention to “small peoples'', and the racist origins of the very term “Tatars”. We move onto the role of art, why it’s infantilising, and how it should scramble things and harness its social capital – and about the Slavs and Tatar’s slavic aperitivo “Pickle Bar '' as a facilitating space.

Slavs and Tatars is an art collective and faction of polemics and intimacies devoted to an area east of the former Berlin Wall and west of the Great Wall of China known as Eurasia. It was founded as a collaboration between artists and designers Payam Sharifi and Kasia Korczak. The group’s work is centered around exhibitions, books and lecture performances. Slavs and Tatars has a residency and mentorship program for young professionals from their region, a slavic aperitif bar-cum-project space called Pickle Bar in Berlin, and an online store by the name of MERCZbau.

***** ABOUT THIS SERIES *****

Explore all afikra Podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0voh_EioBM&list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present, and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 30 locations worldwidehttp://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work: http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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BASMA HAMDY | Ethics, AI & Art in the Arab World | Conversations

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 4 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

What does the post-AI era hold? And what do these kinds of conversations look like in the context of the Arab world? In this captivating conversation, Basma Hamdy sheds light on everything AI and the Arab world, from ethics to art. What are ownership, originality and intellectual ownership? How will AI impact the visual arts? How are ethics going to be re-defined? Why is Arabic-language processing lagging behind? And what does algorithmic bias have to do with it?

Basma delineates between the pre and post-AI worlds, pressing for an adaptation of our principles and ethical frameworks that takes the changing landscape into account. We reflect on the influence of Western modernity on the region’s ethics and how collaboration and cooperation may be re-centered in this new AI age. As well as on what skills are going to be lost and gained for the AI-native generation.

Basma Hamdy is an assistant professor of Graphic Design at VCUarts Qatar. She is a research-based designer, author and educator producing work that bridges historical, political and social issues with archival, documentarian, participatory and critical mechanisms. She collaborated with Don Karl to research and document the creative output of the Egyptian Revolution in the book “Walls of Freedom: Street Art of the Egyptian Revolution”. She is currently working on her second book, Found Khatt, in collaboration with Noha Zyed, which documents found typography across Egypt. The Qatar Foundation is a not-for-profit organization which brings together centers and programs focused on education, research and innovation, and community development.

Watch our previous conversation with Basma as part of a panel for Tasmeem 2022: Radical Futures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1sX1pVqpKU

****** ABOUT THE SERIES ******

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity.

🖥️ Live Events & Conversations hosted on Zoom http://afikra.com/rsvp

📍 Local Events in 30 locations worldwide (17 in MENA, 7 in Europe, 6 in Americas) http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New Podcasts + Videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

*******

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HICHAM SAFIEDDINE | Banking on the State: Lebanon's Economic Rise & Fall

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 2 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

In conversation with Professor Hicham Safieddine, we get to grips with Lebanon’s banking system. He walks us through the history of central banks, who Lebanon’s Barons of Banking were, and how Lebanon’s banking sector got to where it is today. We reflect on Beirut’s economy and banking system from the 1800s to the present day, taking into account the Ottoman Imperial Bank, Banque de Syrie et du Liban, Banque du Liban and the Intra-affair. Finally, we discuss the current state of affairs and if change is on the horizon.

Hicham Safieddine is an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in the History of the Modern Middle East at the University of British Columbia. His research mostly focuses on the 19th and 20th century financial, economic and intellectual history of the MENA region. Safieddine is currently examining the emergence and transformation of global and national monetary regimes and financial systems under capitalist expansion, debt, war, colonial conquest, national liberation and revolution. Outside of his academic work, Hicham is the co-founder of e-zines Al-Akhbar English and The Legal Agenda’s English Edition.

About “Banking on the State: The Financial Foundations of Lebanon”:

Banking on the State reveals how the financial foundations of Lebanon were shaped by the history of the standardization of economic practices and financial regimes within the decolonizing world. The system of central banking that emerged was the product of a complex interaction of war, economic policies, international financial regimes, post-colonial state-building, global currents of technocratic knowledge, and private business interests. It served rather than challenged the interests of an oligarchy of local bankers. As Hicham Safieddine shows, the set of arrangements that governed the central bank thus was dictated by dynamics of political power and financial profit more than market forces, national interest or economic sovereignty.

****** ABOUT THE SERIES ******

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity.

🖥️ Live Events & Conversations hosted on Zoom http://afikra.com/rsvp

📍 Local Events in 30 locations worldwide (17 in MENA, 7 in Europe, 6 in Americas) http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New Podcasts + Videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

*******

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Producing for Arab Pop Stars: Metrics & Mental Health | Sleiman Damien

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

With a vast discography featuring both emerging artists and some of the biggest names in Arabic music, Sleiman Damien is completely tapped into the region’s pop genre. We asked him what he thinks of the phrase “Arab pop fusion”, which metrics actually matter to him, and why he thinks legacy superstars have more sticking power in today’s fickle industry.

We reflect on the role of ego in the region’s music industry, comparing the “old guard” to emerging musicians and their approach to collaboration. Sleiman also talks about his experience working as a ghost producer and how he reacts emotionally to his own work.

He also shares his mental health journey, especially when it comes to the emphasis placed on performance metrics and an obsession with knowing how people feel about his own creations.

Sleiman Damien is a music producer, DJ and audio engineer from Beirut, Lebanon. Much of his work is focussed on the Arab pop genre.

He has worked with music talents from across the region such as Georges Wassouf, Nassif Zeytoun, Haifa Wehbe, Assi Hallani, Ragheb Alama, Abeer Nehme, Dana Hourani, Maritta Hallani, Adonis, Zef and many more.

Theme music: "Peninsular", Tarek Yamani

👉: https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

🔊: https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra Founder & Executive Director

👉: https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/

**** ABOUT THE SERIES ****

Quartertones is a music show. It is an opportunity to listen to music, across genres, from musicians of and from the Arab world. This series is similar to NPR’s All Songs Considered that is focused on the Arab world. afikra will be inviting musicians of all genres, as well as music historians, to help better understand the music that they perform or study. In this series, the guests will be invited to talk about their work and play their music, whether live or recorded, in three segments. The series will host current musicians who play contemporary and modern, including alternative scene or hip-hop, electronic, classical music, among other genres. The musicians will also be from different geographies.

Join the live audience:

https://www.afikra.com/rsvp

Watch all afikra Conversations:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity.

🖥️ Live Events & Conversations hosted on Zoom http://afikra.com/rsvp

📍 Local Events in 30 locations worldwide (17 in MENA, 7 in Europe, 6 in Americas) http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New Podcasts + Videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

*******

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Abu Dhabi's Performing Arts: Present & Future | Bill Bragin

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Bill Bragin – executive artistic director of the NYUAD Arts Center – talks to us about the center’s upcoming season, how it's impacted the city of Abu Dhabi so far, and what he envisions for the future of both the center and its ripple effect on the country as a whole.

Bill shares his approach to curatorial work and practice, as well as the importance of responding to a space/venue when programming. We also reflect on what it means to exchange culture and build long-lasting educational institutions, and how Abu Dhabi’s unique audience has reacted to the center’s work so far.

This conversation kicks off the second season of the podcast series in collaboration with The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi and delves deep into the intricate tapestry of the Arab world's histories and cultures. This podcast is your passport to the Arab world's rich and diverse histories and cultures. Get ready to embark on an immersive journey of knowledge, inspiration and endless curiosity.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Join us on an intellectual odyssey with The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi Podcast Series that delves deep into the intricate tapestry of the Arab world's histories and cultures.

As our guests share their expertise and personal journeys, we invite you to embark on a voyage of discovery. Prepare to be enlightened, entertained, and intrigued, as each conversation sparks a new flame of curiosity within you.

The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi Podcast Series is your passport to the Arab world's rich and diverse histories and cultures. Get ready to embark on an immersive journey of knowledge, inspiration, and endless curiosity.

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity.

🖥️ Live Events & Conversations hosted on Zoom http://afikra.com/rsvp

📍 Local Events in 30 locations worldwide (17 in MENA, 7 in Europe, 6 in Americas) http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New Podcasts + Videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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FADI BARDAWIL | Arab Marxism, the New Left & Political Realities | Conversations

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Learn about Arab Marxism, radical patriarchal politics, and Lebanon’s political economy over the last century in this conversation with professor Fadi Bardawil from Duke University. Starting with his book “Revolution and Disenchantment: Arab Marxism and the Binds of Emancipation”, Professor Bardawil maps out the history of the Political Left in Lebanon and more broadly in the region, pointing us to key moments over the past century. We also touch on the New Left, Lebanon’s new political realities and the significance of October 17th as a moment of feminist resurgence.

Fadi Bardawil is assistant professor of contemporary Arab cultures in the Department of Asian Studies and Middle East Studies at Duke university. He also regularly writes for Megaphone, an online independent media platform based in Lebanon. His work is interdisciplinary, combining political anthropology, critical theory and intellectual history. In particular, Bardawil focuses on Lebanon investigating articulations of cultural production and political practice.

About “Revolution and Disenchantment: Arab Marxism and the Binds of Emancipation”:

The Arab Revolutions that began in 2011 reignited interest in the question of theory and practice, imbuing it with a burning political urgency. In Revolution and Disenchantment Fadi Bardawil redescribes for our present how an earlier generation of revolutionaries – the 1960s Arab New Left – addressed this question. Bardawil excavates the long-lost archive of the Marxist organization Socialist Lebanon and its main theorist, Waddah Charara, who articulated answers in their political practice to fundamental issues confronting revolutionaries worldwide: intellectuals as vectors of revolutionary theory; political organizations as mediators of theory and praxis; and non-emancipatory attachments as impediments to revolutionary practice. Drawing on historical and ethnographic methods and moving beyond familiar reception narratives of Marxist thought in the postcolony, Bardawil engages in "fieldwork in theory" that analyzes how theory seduces intellectuals, cultivates sensibilities, and authorizes political practice. Throughout, Bardawil underscores the resonances and tensions between Arab intellectual traditions and Western critical theory and postcolonial theory, deftly placing intellectuals from those traditions into a much-needed conversation.

****** ABOUT THE SERIES ******

Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp

Watch all afikra Conversations: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity.

🖥️ Live Events & Conversations hosted on Zoom http://afikra.com/rsvp

📍 Local Events in 30 locations worldwide (17 in MENA, 7 in Europe, 6 in Americas) http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New Podcasts + Videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

*******

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Chromeo: From Beirut to Planet Funk | P-Thugg

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 5 Sep 2023 07:45:00 +0000

P-Thugg, one half of music duo Chromeo, shares the secrets to a successful and long-term musical collaboration. On set with us in Beirut, he talks about the experiences that led to his discovering funk and hip hop, growing up between Lebanon and Canada and his changing relationship with the former, and what it’s like attending the VMAs. He tells us of Chromeo’s early days when he and David “Dave 1” Macklovitch met and started making music together. We also reflect on how the craft of making music videos has changed and how important humor, honesty and musical knowledge are. P-Thugg also talks about the origins of his online marketplace “Ya Habibi Market” and names his all-time-favorite dance artists. P-Thugg, also known as Patrick Gemayel, is a Lebanese musician and one half of the electro-funk duo Chromeo. He’s also the founder of Ya Habibi Market, a collective of multidisciplinary MENA creatives, artists and designers from around the world.

Theme music: "Peninsular", Tarek Yamani

👉: https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

🔊: https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra Founder & Executive Director

👉: https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/

**** ABOUT THE SERIES ****

Join the live audience:

https://www.afikra.com/rsvp

Watch all afikra Conversations:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity.

🖥️ Live Events & Conversations hosted on Zoom http://afikra.com/rsvp

📍 Local Events in 30 locations worldwide (17 in MENA, 7 in Europe, 6 in Americas) http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New Podcasts + Videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

*******

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OMAR KHOLEIF | Downloading Arab Identity | Conversations

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Did “Arabness” die in 1973? How meaningful is the word Arab now anyway? And what role does the internet play in visual culture and civic imagination? In this multifaceted conversation with Dr Omar Kholeif, we explore many strands of thought, venturing from Arab culture as a “creole culture” to looking at the internet as a “pesky medium”. We share afikra’s core tenets and philosophy and reflect on key players in the production of Arab pop culture now in 2023.

Dr Omar Kholeif is an Egyptian-born artist, author, broadcaster, edit and curator (among other things). They are currently director of collections and senior curator at the Sharjah Art Foundation. Kholeif started their career as a music writer, researcher and documentary producer, going on to found the UK’s first Arab Film Festival (now called the Safar Film festival). They have since worked across film, media, fine art and visual culture. They have taught at many institutions including the University of Chicago and University of Oxford.

About their most recent publication “Art_Internet: From the Birth of the Web to the Rise of NFTs”:

“A leading figure in the world of networked culture explores the artists and events that defined the mass medium of our time.”

Since 1989, the year the World Wide Web was born, the art world has grappled with the rise of networked culture. This unprecedented survey of the artists and innovators in this area from 1989 to today is interwoven with the personal narrative of one of the leading voices of the digital world. In this book, Omar Kholeif, whose prolific career parallels the growth of the internet, tells the story of this mass medium and how it has fostered new possibilities for artists, both analog and digital.

The book showcases work spanning a range of media from legendary artists including Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Nam June Paik, Heather Phillipson, and Wu Tsang. Tracing the key artists and innovators from the emergence of browser-based art to the dawn of NFTs, this is a tale for the present and the future.

****** ABOUT THE SERIES ******

Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp

Watch all afikra Conversations: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity.

🖥️ Live Events & Conversations hosted on Zoom http://afikra.com/rsvp

📍 Local Events in 30 locations worldwide (17 in MENA, 7 in Europe, 6 in Americas) http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New Podcasts + Videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

*******

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BASSAM HADDAD | Syria's Business Model | Conversations

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

What is Syria’s business model? How will the current political constriction, brain and human drain, and regional geo-politics affect the country moving forward? In this fascinating conversation with Bassam Haddad, we consider money as a mentality, Syria’s political economy, and reflect on the growing drug trade and rentierism. He also shares his experience founding (and naming) Jadaliyya and being the executive director of the Arab Studies institute.

Bassam Haddad is the Founding Director of the Middle East and Islamic Studies Program and an associate professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. He’s also the co-founder and editor of Jadaliyya and executive director of the Arab Studies Institute. He wrote “Business Networks in Syria: The Political Economy of Authoritarian Resilience” and co editor of “A Critical Political Economy of the Middle East.”

About “Business Networks in Syria: The Political Economy of Authoritarian Resilience”:

Collusion between business communities and the state can lead to a measure of security for those in power, but this kind of interaction often limits new development. In Syria, state-business involvement through informal networks has contributed to an erratic economy. With unique access to private businessmen and select state officials during a critical period of transition, this book examines Syria's political economy from 1970 to 2005 to explain the nation's pattern of state intervention and prolonged economic stagnation. As state income from oil sales and aid declined, collusion was a bid for political security by an embattled regime. To achieve a modicum of economic growth, the Syrian regime would develop ties with select members of the business community, reserving the right to reverse their inclusion in the future. Haddad ultimately reveals that this practice paved the way for forms of economic agency that maintained the security of the regime but diminished the development potential of the state and the private sector.

****** ABOUT THE SERIES ******

Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp

Watch all afikra Conversations: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity.

🖥️ Live Events & Conversations hosted on Zoom http://afikra.com/rsvp

📍 Local Events in 30 locations worldwide (17 in MENA, 7 in Europe, 6 in Americas) http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New Podcasts + Videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

*******

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BERNARD HAYKEL | Saudi Arabia in Transition | Conversations

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Studying Yemen, al-Shawkani, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and football. In this fascinating conversation with Professor Bernard Haykel, he offers deep insight into contemporary Saudi Arabia, the realities of pivoting an entire economy away from oil, and what MBS’ vision 2030 actually looks like for the country.

We talk about why Haykel started out studying Yemen before moving onto Saudi Arabia, contemporary geopolitics, and key axes of power between China, the US, and Saudi Arabia.

Bernard Haykel is a professor of Near Eastern Studies and the director of the Institute for Transregional Study of the Contemporary Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia at Princeton University. Between 1992 and 1993, he was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in Yemen. He has taught at New York, Oxford, and Princeton Universities. His research is primarily focused on the political and social tensions that arise from questions about religious identity and authority. He has written two books: “Saudi Arabia in Transition” and “Revival and Reform in Islam”.

About “Saudi Arabia in Transition: Insights on Social, Political, Economic and Religious Change”: Making sense of Saudi Arabia is crucially important today. The kingdom's western province contains the heart of Islam, and it is the United States' closest Arab ally and the largest producer of oil in the world. However, the country is undergoing rapid change: its aged leadership is ceding power to a new generation, and its society, dominated by young people, is restive. Saudi Arabia has long remained closed to foreign scholars, with a select few academics allowed into the kingdom over the past decade. This book presents the fruits of their research as well as those of the most prominent Saudi academics in the field. This volume focuses on different sectors of Saudi society and examines how the changes of the past few decades have affected each. It reflects new insights and provides the most up-to-date research on the country's social, cultural, economic and political dynamics.

****** ABOUT THE SERIES ******

****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity.

🖥️ Live Events & Conversations hosted on Zoom http://afikra.com/rsvp

📍 Local Events in 30 locations worldwide (17 in MENA, 7 in Europe, 6 in Americas) http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New Podcasts + Videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work http://afikra.com/support

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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DJing in the Middle of Nowhere | Nooriyah Qais

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 9 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

DJ Nooriyah’s iconic Boiler room set with her Baba on the oud, growing up between Saudi, Japan and London, and her beloved CDJ 2000s Pioneer decks. We sat down with Nooriyah Qais to talk about everything DJing, her guide to safeguarding yourself in the club industry, and how she transforms a sample into an infectious dance track.

We also touch on the community she’s built with her curated event and party series “Middle of Nowhere”, how she’s bringing SWANA music into the mainstream, and her favorite Arab cities to play.

Nooriyah Qais is a radio host, producer, DJ and journalist. Through her work as a DJ and audio producer, she champions music from the Arab region and diaspora, founding “Middle of Nowhere” which is a “SWANA focused collaborative in London”. Her iconic Boiler Room set reached over 1 million streams in the first 3 months. Nooriyah has performed at global dance festivals including Glastonbury.

Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra

Edited by: Ramzi Ramman

Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

About Quartertones:

QuarterTones is a music show. It is an opportunity to listen to music, across genres, from musicians of and from the Arab world. This series is similar to NPR’s All Songs Considered that is focused on the Arab world. afikra will be inviting musicians of all genres, as well as music historians, to help better understand the music that they perform or study. In this series, the guests will be invited to talk about their work and play their music, whether live or recorded, in three segments. The series will host current musicians who play contemporary and modern, including alternative scene or hip-hop, electronic, classical music, among other genres. The musicians will also be from different geographies.

Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp

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