Episode 89: Storybook ending for Mosul’s famous leaning minaret

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews take a closer look at the reactions to The Voice of Hind Rajab at the Venice Film Festival. The film uses real audio from the harrowing distress call of a five-year-old girl trapped in a car in Gaza as she came under Israeli fire. It won a Silver Lion and received a record-breaking standing ovation, but some critics called it out for using “tear-jerking tactics”. Enas and Farah talk about the director’s response in an interview she gave to The National, and discuss the profound impact the film could have on audiences. In the literary world, a new book by Indian author Chetan Bhagat has stirred up controversy over its age-gap love story. The novel, 12 Years: My Messed-up Love Story, centres on a relationship between a 33-year-old and a 21-year-old. Social media users called it “creepy” but is this age difference really so strange? The hosts reflect on different cultural norms when it comes to age and look back at examples in literature.

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews follow the story of Mosul’s historical landmarks from construction to destruction and finally restoration. This week, The National’s team visited the 2,500-year-old Iraqi city to observe the completion of a seven-year UAE-led project to rebuild Al Nuri Mosque with its famous leaning minaret, as well as the churches of Our Lady of the Hour Convent and Al Tahera. After standing tall for hundreds of years, the structures were destroyed by ISIS. Now, they rise again as symbols of hope and co-existence in Mosul. The hosts talk about the immense scope of the restoration efforts and the importance of reviving such historical treasures. Meanwhile, solidarity with Palestine is in the spotlight at the 82nd Venice Film Festival. A large protest was staged at the start of the event on the back of an open letter signed by 1,500 industry professionals calling on the organisers to amplify Palestinian voices. Enas and Farah comment on the bolder actions taken by artists this year in contrast to the year before. They also preview the The Voice of Hind Rajab ahead of its premiere at the festival, and discuss what it means to have high-profile backers such as Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix.

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews trace back the origins of the seven emirates, and how they got their names. Drawing from both official records and local narratives, they look at the connection between human activity and geography that shaped each emirate. Abu Dhabi for example derives its meaning from accounts of early settlers following a gazelle to fresh water. As for Dubai, popular theories suggest that the name stems from daba, meaning “to flow slowly” – probably a reference to the movement of vessels. The hosts also share some of the powerful testimonies published in Daybreak in Gaza, an anthology book documenting life during war. The project was compiled and released in record time out of fear that its contributors in the strip would be killed before the book was finished. Enas and Farah talk about the editors’ mission of cultural preservation, and effort to humanise Palestinians, who are often reduced to mere statistics. This week, the presenters recommend their pick of television shows, including Love is Blind and Platonic, and films. 

This week on Culture Bites, host Farah Andrews chats with her colleagues at The National about the UAE’s cultural representation in Japan, and the regional music scene. Gaming and Culture Reporter Faisal Al Zaabi joins Farah to talk about exploring the UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. The exhibit invites visitors to appreciate the country’s past, present and future and is designed to evoke their senses through scent, sound and touch. Faisal described the nostalgia evoked by the fragrance of two million date palm fronds, arranged into towering columns. He and Farah also discuss the evolution of the UAE pavilion since Expo 2020 Dubai.  In music, a new generation of rich and diverse talent is driving the industry to new heights. Music Reporter Saeed Saeed talks about the creative renaissance in the Middle East and North Africa that is making it the fastest-growing music market. Saeed will be hosting Tarab, a new podcast from The National featuring powerful voices from across the region, such as Lebanese artist Yasmine Hamdan and Palestinian singer Lina Makhoul.

In this episode of Culture Bites, host Farah Andrews explores the intersection of cities and street art through No Trespassing, an exhibition at the Ishara Art Foundation in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue, running until August 30. Curated by Priyanka Mehra, the show presents six site-specific interventions that brought street materials into the gallery space. Priyanka joins Farah in the studio to share her insights on what street art means in the UAE, common misconceptions about this form of art in the region, how it has evolved in recent years, and which neighbourhoods are becoming creative hotspots. The conversation then moves into the exhibition itself and the meaning behind the title of No Trespassing. Priyanka also talks about the artists behind the exhibition and how their works reflect the relationship between urban art and cities.

On Culture Bites this week, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews offer some inspiration for a richer summer with their recommendations of what to read, watch and see during the holidays. For long flights, the hosts suggest skipping cinematic spectacles and opting instead for breezy, entertaining films that are more suitable for smaller screens. If video is not an option, Enas and Farah also share some ideas for podcasts and audiobooks to enjoy. The holidays are a good time to pick up a bingeable book. Farah recommends Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez for an easily digestible read. Enas’s pick is The List by Yomi Adegoke, a novel about a journalist who seems to have it all until a list changes everything. For globetrotters planning a holiday to Amman or Edinburgh, the hosts also suggest standout museums and exhibits to visit there.

This week on Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews discuss their favourites from this year’s Emmy nominations. From dramas to comedies, some of the most highly rated TV series from 2025 have made the list, including Adolescence, The Last of Us and the latest season of The White Lotus. Some of the shows that Enas and Farah have recommended before on the podcast made the cut, such as The Bear's new season, and Shrinking, a comedy about a grieving therapist who says too much. Also in this episode, the hosts explore the Arabic roots of common English words and trace their journeys. Coffee, for example, originated in Yemen and evolved from the Arabic word “qahwa”. Others are less commonly known, such as candy – which evolved from the word “qandi” meaning sugar, and hazard, taking its root from “al-zahr”, or dice, an object used in games of chance. Enas and Farah talk about the spread of the Arabic language through ancient trade and how it reflects the region’s golden era of knowledge and innovation. Editor’s Note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

In this week’s episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews give a preview of the Zayed National Museum which is set to open in December. The building has already become a landmark of Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District. Its five steel structures are shaped like feathers, inspired by the country’s tradition of falconry, and the museum itself will tell the story of the UAE over 300,000 years. Enas and Farah highlight some of the main galleries to visit and notable pieces to view, including a full-scale replica of a Bronze Age Magan boat and an Iron Age stamp etched with a camel motif. On the big screen, James Gunn’s new Superman has audiences drawing parallels between its storyline and real-life events. Social media users have drawn links from the film to Israel’s war in Gaza, with references to military might and political dynamics. Farah has watched the film and talks to Enas about the scenes that appear to resemble the conflict.

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews offer some inspiration for an art-infused summer with respite from the heat. Enas discusses a family day out at Saadiyat Cultural District, including a stop at teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. The Japanese multisensory digital art concept was founded in 2001 and has expanded across the globe, most recently to the UAE where it opened a 17,000-square metre space in April. Enas tells Farah about the installations that captivated her and the interactive features her children most enjoyed. In the entertainment world, Syrian television is preparing for a revival after US President Donald Trump removed sanctions on the country. For decades, Syrian dramas dominated screens across the Arab world but the civil war, and subsequent financial challenges, disrupted the industry. Farah and Enas talk about the creative and economic boost that easing sanctions will bring to Syrian actors and producers.

On Culture Bites this week, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews talk about the perks of going phone-free during comedy shows. Enas tells Farah about her experience of watching Dave Chappelle’s stand-up act in Abu Dhabi where the provocative comedian took to the stage for a second year in a row. Attendees had to secure their smart devices in locked pouches to ensure no one filmed the performance. The hosts reflect on how a phone-free environment can enrich the audience experience and protect the arts from being overshared and diluted. Meanwhile, the Glastonbury Festival continues to make headlines all over the world even after it wrapped. Beyond the A-star line-up of headline acts, plenty of surprise sets kept fans on their toes: from an unexpected return by Lewis Capaldi to a performance by New Zealand singer Lorde. Enas and Farah talk about the power of commodifying surprises in a world where predictability reigns. We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our two-minute listener survey. Click here.