The afikra Podcast

We talked to Krystel Khoury and Karim Kattan about their work at Mophradat. Krystel is Mophradat's grants coordinator, and Karim is Mophradat's programs associate.  Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra Conversations: Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, ‎and medi...

In this conversation, we talked to Mona Kareem about her three poetry collections and her trilingual chapbook "Femme Ghosts".  Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra Conversations: Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, ‎and media experts who are helping document and...

We discussed Moustafa Bayoumi's book "How Does It Feel To Be a Problem? Being Young and Arab in America", and his work as a journalist, columnist, and editor. Created by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra  Hosted by: Mikey:  https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/ Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interv...

In this conversation, we discussed susan abulhawa's multiple novels including 'Mornings in Jenin'. We also talked about her experience with Playgrounds for Palestine, a children’s organization dedicated to uplifting Palestinian children.  Created by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra  Hosted by: Mikey:  https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/‎ Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.insta...

We talked to Charles Al-Hayek about his work on bringing Arab cultural heritage and history to social media on Heritage and Roots in engaging and enticing means. Created by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academics and...

We talked to Waddah Faris about his work as a designer, artist, photographer, art critic, and former gallerist. We also talked about his work at Contact Art Gallery and Galerie Faris, the Baalbek Festival catalogues he designed, and much more! Created by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra  Hosted by: Mysa Kafil-Hussain Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani...

We discussed Professor Mattawa's poetry, translation, and work as an academic at the University of Michigan. Khaled Mattawa is the author of five books of poetry, and a critical study of the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. His awards include the Academy of American Poets Fellowship prize, the PEN Award for Poetry in Translation, and a MacArthur Fellowship. Created & Hosted  by Mikey Muhanna , af...

In this conversation, we discussed Professor Makdisi's scholarship on Modern Arab History, snd Ottoman History. Dr. Ussama Makdisi is a Professor of History and the first holder of the Arab-American Educational Foundation Chair of Arab Studies at Rice University.  Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani...

We talked to Ghazi Faisal Al-Mulaifi, Ph. D. in ethnomusicology, on his research interests that include Kuwaiti pearl diving music, the music of the Indian Ocean civilizations trade routes, and global jazz.   A Venice Biennale artist, composer, Khaleeji-jazz musician, and ensemble leader, Ghazi's current musical efforts include performing with his ensemble "Boom. Diwan" where he and traditional Ku...

Khajag Apelian is a Lebanese graphic and type designer of Armenian descent. We talked to Khajag about his work and "debakir", which focused on Arabic typography projects with various organizations such as Opera Amsterdam, One/one, the Mediamatic Foundation, and the Khatt Foundation.  Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instag...

We talked to Todd Reisz, architect and writer, on his recently published book, Showpiece City: How Architecture Made Dubai (Stanford University Press), which explores architecture’s packaging to sell Dubai on a global stage.  Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series:...

We talked to Butheina Kazim about independent Cinema in the UAE and the region. Butheina is the Founder of Cinema Akil, an independent cinema platform in Dubai. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted on Zoom, featuring academ...

Philip Ciantar is a senior lecturer in music at the School of Performing Arts, University of Malta, where he teaches ethnomusicology, world music, and more. Ciantar is the author of The Ma’lūf in Contemporary Libya: An Arab Andalusian Musical Tradition and Studies in Maltese Popular Music, as well as of various articles in ethnomusicology. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramz...

In this conversation, we talked to Professor Jonathan Shannon, Cultural Anthropologist & Associate Dean of Arts and Humanities at NYUAD. Shannon is the author of books on Music and Modernity in Contemporary Syria, and Music and Nostalgia Across the Mediterranean. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/...

We discussed Anny Gaul's work as a cultural historian of food and gender specializing in Egypt and Morocco. We also talked about her research and writing and how she uses food and kitchens to explore how ideas like nationalism, modernity, and domesticity have felt and tasted through time. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.i...

We talked to Sherene Seikaly, a historian of capitalism, consumption, and development in the modern Middle East, about her book "Men of Capital: Scarcity and Economy in Mandate Palestine", her work as editor for Jadaliyya, Journal of Palestine Studies, and  Arab Studies Journal.  Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram....

In this conversation, we talked to Hala about her successful literary career and award-winning books and poetry collections (Salt Houses, The Arsonists’ City, The Twenty-Ninth Year) as well as her work as a clinical psychologist.  Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation se...

We talked to Amir ElSaffar and Arun Ramamurthy about Raga Maqam which is a 15-person ensemble featuring virtuosic artists that bring to life a unique and contemporary sound grounded in two ancient traditions.  Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form i...

We talked to Isabella Hammad, the author of "The Parisian", on writing her first novel and her new novel set in London and Palestine. Hammad's "The Parisian", was published in April 2019 and is being translated into 15 languages.  Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation se...

We're talked to Ramsey Nasser on Computer Science, Education, & why he created Qalb "قلب", a functional programming language allowing a programmer to write programs completely in Arabic. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form interview series, hosted...

Wissam Shawkat is an Iraqi Artist, Designer, Calligrapher, & Type Designer. In this conversation, we talked to Wissam about his work in those various fields, as well as his new calligraphy style "Al Wissam". Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long-form int...

In this conversation, we are talking to Dr. Lisa Urkevich, a Specialist in the Heritage and Music of the Arabian Peninsula, Chair of the Department of Music and Drama at the American University of Kuwait, and the General Editor of the College Music Symposium: Journal of the College Music Society.  Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https...

Mai Masri is a Palestinian filmmaker, director, and producer. We interviewed her about her career in directing and producing award-winning films that have been broadcast on more than 100 television stations worldwide. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afikra Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation series: Our long...

We talked to Ahmad Badr about his work with the United Nations, Narratio - the global platform for youth empowerment he founded, UNPACKED: Refugee Baggage, and his new book  "While the Earth Sleeps We Travel: Stories, Poetry, and Art from Young Refugees Around the World". Created by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna & Sarah Graff , Associate Curator, The Metropolitan Museum of Art...

We talked to Musician, Educator, and Entrepreneur, Hadi Eldebek, on his musical career as well as the several cultural startups he founded and runs, including grantPA and Circle World Arts.  Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra; https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/‎  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/ About the afikra conversation serie...