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

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 1950s3:33 Nostalgia, Time, and Loss7:09 The Broad Phases of Iraqi History9:33 Cultural Renaissance Under the Monarchy10:00 Vibrant Leftist Politics in the Monarchy Era11:39 Nostalgia for the Monarchy13:00 The Largest Effect on Daily Life: 1991 Bombardment and Sanctions16:29 Connecting the Wars: One Long War17:59 The Lead-up to Saddam's Invasion of Kuwait19:33 The Vision of the Neoconservatives20:40 Misunderstandings about US Imperialism22:11 The Myth of Iraqi Sectarianism23:24 The Institutionalization of a Sectarian System25:27 The Role of the Iraqi Opposition Abroad28:29 Phases of Post-2003 Iraq29:12 The Civil War and Proxy War (2006-2008)30:20 Displacement and the Reorganization of Iraqi Society30:52 Social Mobilization: 2011 and the Tishreen Uprising (2019)31:24 The Catastrophe of ISIS34:29 The Problem with Nostalgic Photos40:14 When One Dictator Becomes a Source of Nostalgia41:16 The Book: Political Undesirables and Denaturalization41:59 The Deportation of Iraqis of Iranian Origin (1980)44:48 Denaturalization as a Systemic Pattern48:19 Issuing Passports After World War I51:00 The Expulsion of Iraqi Jews (1950)51:25 Iraqi Jews as an Integral Part of Society52:44 The Ancient History of Babylonian Jews55:20 The Basis for Expulsion58:19 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 Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Introduction2:12 The Vision for the Dalloul Art Foundation: Pan-Arab Art3:36 Relationship to Art Growing Up5:55 Shifting from Western to Arab Art Collecting8:45 Failure Is Not An Option10:47 Authenticating Art and The Lack of a Reference Site for Arab Art12:53 Organizing the Single Largest Private Collection of Modern Contemporary Arab Art15:05 The Kinship of Arab Culture17:57 Artists as Archivists of History19:46 Beirut: A De Facto Cultural Hub With No Taboos22:54 Critiquing the Celebration of Western Art Over Arab Art25:57 Dalloul Artist Collective: Focusing on The Artist27:18 The Broken Global Gallery System32:11 The State of Art Collecting in The Arab World35:56 Artists Basel Dalloul Adores38:02 The Need to Educate the Arab Youth on Arab Artists38:48 The Story Behind Ayman Baalbaki’s Moulatham41:26 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 Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Introduction1:18 Meet Hiba Abid and the NYPL Exhibition Title2:16 The Exhibition's Core Idea and Historical Scope5:41 Is New York a Middle Eastern City?6:33 The Arab Roots of the Statue of Liberty9:15 The 1910 Portrait of Mohamed Juda and Early Exclusion12:34 Citizenship Guides for Early Arab Immigrants16:45 Amplifying North African Stories in New York20:47 Photography and a History of Arab Tattoos24:19 The Explosion of Arabic Publishing in New York28:27 Assimilation and Critique: Arab Views of America31:14 "America Ya Hilwa": An Arab Immigrant's Bid for the US National Anthem42:06 Salloum Mokarzel and the Arabic Linotype Revolution43:25 A 1917 Menu from a Syrian Restaurant in New York46:25 Confronting Anti-Arab Sentiment Through Archives51:53 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 Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Beirut01:23 Bernard Khoury's Karantina Studio and the Beirut Explosion03:12 His First Project: B018 in Karantina04:01 The Illusion and Disillusion of the Post-War Era05:42 An Architect's Dilemma: Designing for an Expiry Date12:56 Solidere, Immaterial Ownership, and a New Urbanism15:44 The Cultural Significance of B01817:05 B018's Site: A Macabre History19:40 From Furniture Factory to Architecture Practice22:52 Khalil Khouri: Modern Architect with Certainties27:23 A Generational Difference in Practice28:57 Rejected Labels: What Bernard Khoury Hates to Be Called...31:41 Style vs. Specificity 36:00 Estrangement and Addiction to a Very Intense Environment42:00 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 Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Introduction0:23 The Joy of Mentoring Arab Students3:19 The "Why" of Storytelling: Finding Your Authentic Voice4:44 Navigating Censorship and Risk in Filmmaking7:24 How Technology is Shaping New Narratives10:47 Shifting Away from the "Other" Narrative14:55 Building the Filmmaking Pipeline: The Role of the Doha Film Institute19:39 The Critical Need for Producers in the Arab World21:39 The Impact of Non-Regional Producers on Arab Films26:12 Recommending Authentic Arab Films for Students29:28 Addressing Class Bias in the Film Industry31:19 Unlearning Self-Orientalism in Storytelling33:40 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 Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

"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 Possibilities2:50 The Role of Imagination and Counteracting Despair4:01 Future-Oriented Projects Across the Middle East4:38 Comparing Futurescapes and Broadening the Academic Framework7:31 Imagining Different Outcomes: A Collective Task9:19 Futurisms: An Intellectual History of Future-Oriented Projects11:13 Contextualizing the Present and Artistic Currents12:31 Is Futurism Decidedly Optimistic?14:02 The Interconnectedness of Future and Past15:16 The Role of Language and Performance17:46 Imagining a Future Tolerant of Darkness20:00 Creating Space for Conversation, Not Just Conclusions21:11 Bringing Diverse Disciplines Together24:06 Gulf Futurism and Connecting Students26:19 Diverse Panels: From Graphic Novels to Environmental Law27:11 The Ancient Theater Tradition of Kutiyattam: Emperor Ashoka's Transformation29:40 The Radical Possibility of Performance and Nonviolence31:09 The Gulf, South Asia, and the Indian Ocean: A Unique Focus32:55 Rethinking Historical Space and Eurocentrism34:06 Prioritizing Local Perspectives and Interdisciplinarity36:46 Soviet Visions of the Arab World38:49 Development Schemes and Shifting Conversations39:56 The Academy's Value of Storytelling and Artists42:01 Breaking Down Formalized Barriers43:10 Rethinking Systems and Collective Support43:54 Fostering Interdisciplinary Collaboration44:50 Academic Conferences as Art Projects46:08 Untapped Topics and Intergenerational Knowledge48:58 Collective Power vs. National Identity52:42 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 Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Introduction1:21 The Artist's Studio and Creative Process2:46 From Childhood Curiosity to Sculptural Expression5:36 Embracing the Unromantic Side of Sculpture7:45 The Spoons Sculptures: A Defining Project8:42 Moving to Beirut and Accessing Craftsmanship10:18 Process and Meaning Behind the Spoons Sculture11:39 Capturing Movement and Life in Static Forms12:57 The Significance of Process and Durability14:10 "Distortion" Series: Motherhood and Identity18:50 "Fragmented Pillar": Fragility and Strength21:28 "Seduction" Series: The Journey of Connection23:17 A Deepening Relationship With Stone25:06 "Group of Five": Dynamics and Discovery27:49 The Qatar Museums Project: A Public Commission Amidst Crisis30:58 The Vision for Qatar's Cultural District34:12 Craftsmanship and the Human Element in Public Art37:16 The Collaborative Process: From Lebanon to Qatar40:34 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 Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Security0:02:40 "Pressure Cooker": Architecture and Food Flow0:03:33 The Blueberry Revelation: Origin of the Idea0:04:38 Why Food Security Is an Architectural Problem in the UAE0:05:48 The Urgency of Food Security In The UAE0:07:08 Global Warming and Food Production Challenges0:08:08 Inside The "Pressure Cooker" UAE Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 20250:10:41 A Call to Action and Moment of Reflection0:11:55 The True Cost of Food0:12:21 Greenhouses: a Common Practice in the UAE0:14:16 The "Kit-of-Parts" Innovation0:14:42 The Adaptable Greenhouse System0:16:07 Food Production in Apartment Living0:16:44 Sparking Broader Conversations0:17:30 Individual vs. Urban Scale Food Production0:19:08 Who Is Doing Food Security Well?0:20:32 Food Infrastructure in the UAE0:21:56 Regional Knowledge Sharing0:23:02 Local Food Production and Sufficiency0:23:53 Oil Revenue's Impact on Food Security0:25:01 Pressure Cooker Recipes: An Architectural Cookbook0:26:44 Engaging With Local Farmers0:28:18 Pathway to Food Independence0:29:03 Defining Food Independence0:30:54 Supermarkets: a Changing Landscape0:32:08 Historical Food Production in the UAE0:33:11 Migration and Food Systems0:35:00 Resources for Learning About Food Security0:36:51 The Problem of Food Waste0:39:17 Packaging Waste in the F&B IndustryUpcoming event 👉 https://publicprograms.nyuad.nyu.edu/en/the-institute/events/2025/october/pressure-cooker-curated-by-azza-aboualam.htmlAzza 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 Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Introduction0:22 The Oldest Carpet and Persian Heritage0:46 Tribal vs. City Carpets: Craft and Purpose0:50 The Evolution of Carpet Dealing: From Bazaar to Flagship1:08 Mohamed Maktabi's Role and Family Legacy3:31 The Craft of Hand-Knotted Carpets4:57 Tribal Weaving: A Woman's Art9:01 The Unparalleled Quality of Persian Carpets15:15 The Rise of Carpets in Every Household17:40 The Golden Age of Classical Carpets19:24 The Shifting Landscape of Carpet Dealing20:30 Contemporary Creations and Embedded Stories21:20 Mass-Produced vs. Hand-Knotted Carpets24:26 A Tour of Curated Antique Pieces25:06 Shahabs Suzani: A Needlework Diary from Central Asia28:32 The Paisley Design in Khorasan Carpets29:55 Isfahan Quran Cover Design: A Family Heirloom33:37 The Enduring Value and Care of Carpets35:11 Japan's Appreciation for Persian Carpets35:48 The Future of Classical Carpet Making36:38 Mohamed's Dream Carpet Collection38:32 The Legendary Ardabil Carpet40:33 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 Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 War1:03 Introducing Amir Moosavi's Book3:39 A Historical Primer on the Iran-Iraq War7:16 Shifting Narratives: Qadisiyyat Saddam and Operation Karbala11:49 Bridging Arabic and Persian Literary Worlds15:51 Understanding State Literature and Propaganda20:11 Examples of State Literature and Narrative Shifts29:36 Post-War Writers: Challenging Official Narratives35:26 Warfront Depictions and the Quest for Truth38:31 Artistic Communities and Collective Memory40:41 The Meaning Behind "Dust That Never Settles"43:18 Ecological Damage in War Literature48:22 Misconceptions and Nuances in War Literature50:39 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 Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.