Bas Sou'al | afikra Community Podcast

In this afikra FWD, Hazem forwards a documentary Miguel de Olaso on National Geographic. The film and Hazem tell on one of the longest and heaviest trains in the world, the 1.8-mile beast runs from the mining center of Zouerat to the port city of Nouadhibou on Africa’s Atlantic coast. Note: Hazem is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the s...

In this afikra FWD, Mohamad tells the story of the People’s Champ: Grendizer as told by an article on Arab News. The article and Mohamad discuss how Grendizer found its way to Arab TVs and become an icon for young children. Note: Mohamad is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi...

In this afikra FWD, Muhammad forwards a film from Aljazeera World on Britain’s First Yemenis. The film discusses the first wave of Yemeni immigrants to Britain and their life during that time. Note: Muhammad is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by The Broo...

In this afikra FWD, Madison forwards the article "Breaking the Mold: Can the MENA Region Be a Leader in Inclusive Capital?" published by Middle East Institute. The article starts out by setting the stage of what has been happening in the Middle East region over the last decade when it comes to unicorns, a privately-held company that is valued at $1 billion or more.  Note: Madison is not an expert...

In this afikra FWD, Jude talks to us about the book “The Meursault Investigation” by Kamel Daoud. The Meursault Investigation is a response to Albert Camus’ novel, The Stranger, by retelling the story from the perspective of the Arab’s victim’s brother, Harun. Note: Jude is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey M...

In this afikra FWD, Helana forwards an article on the presence of elements of Latin American music in songs of Mohamed Abd El-Wahab and Farid al-Atrach. The article was originally written by Bacim Mejri in french and published by The Tunisian Center for Musicological Publication (CTUPM). Note: Helana is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in t...

In this afikra FWD, Nisrine tells about the children's book "Shams" through an article on Scene Arabia. The article and this FWD explore the presentation of trauma in the book and relate it to what the author has experienced as a child in 2009 Iraq. Note: Nisrine is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna ,...

In this afikra FWD, Farah Kader discusses Etel Adnan's exhibition “Light’s New Measure”, this comes weeks after the passing of Adnan and to know more about the artist in honor of her memory. Note: Farah is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by The Brooklyn...

In this afikra FWD, Caroline Schaefer forwards Vogue Arabia's article on the first Arab supermodel the Lebanese Andrée Acouri. Caroline explains Acouri's career and her life today years after walking Dior, Channel runaways around the world. Note: Caroline is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra ...

In this afikra FWD, Batoul Khalifeh talks about the article “Between Art and Activism: Inji Efflatoun’s Life Revisited” from Ahram Online. Batoul talks about how Efflatoun's art changed along the years between her upbringing, activism, and imprisonment.  Note: Batoul is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey Muhan...

In this afikra FWD, May Khalil forward the Journal of Arabic Literature article “Microcosming the Nahdah: Mayy Ziyadah’s Salon as a Hybrid Space” that discusses the intellectual circles, also known as “Salon” of Lebanese-Palestinian poet, essayist, and translator: Mayy Ziyadah. Note: May is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. H...

In this afikra FWD, Yasmeen Shahzadeh talks about the Moriya Productions documentary series "Bus 47: The Bus That Knew No Borders” which can be found on youtube. Bus 47 follows the reconstruction and research about bus routes in the first half of the 20th century. Note: Yasmeen is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by:...

In this afikra FWD, Farah Cheaib talks about "Ziryab, the Incredible Story of the Baghdad Singer" - El legado andalusi. Farah forwards the Spanish article, to talk about Ziyrab, taken as a slave from Mosul to Baghdad where he became a master of the oud and song. He was then exiled and fled to Cordoba. Note: Farah is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring...

In this afikra FWD, Mohamad Tassabehji forwards a BBC news article breaking down the connection between Shawarma and Taco Al Pastor. Note: Mohamad is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by The Brooklyn Nomads https://www.instagram.com/thebrooklynnomads/ Abou...

In this afikra FWD, Zayoun abu Mayleh forwards the ArabLit Quarterly article "Climbing up the Mountain - Reviving Folk Songs of Palestinian Resistance" by Shaimaa Abu Lebda. Zayoun talks further about folk songs and the song “Ya Tala'ayn El-Jabal”. Note: Zayoun is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , a...

In this afikra FWD, Ahmed Ashour talks about "Koolaids: The Art of War" by Rabih Alameddine. Ahmed talks about the characters, plot, and post-modern literature. Note: Ahmed is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by The Brooklyn Nomads https://www.instagram.c...

In this afikra FWD, Nihal Abdellatif talks about "Indigo in the Arab World" by Jenny Balfour-Paul. Nihal discusses the uses of indigo in Oman, Syria, and Morocco and its symbolism in clothing. Note: Nihal is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by The Brookly...

In this afikra FWD, Dema Mourad talks about "Emotion, Performance, and Temporality in Arab Music: Reflections on Tarab." Dema discusses repetition, protension, and retention in Muwashahat and Tarab. Note: Dema is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by The Br...

In this afikra FWD, Mirna Abdo talks about "From Asir to Coachella- How the Flower Men of Saudi Arabia were sporting flower crowns before it was cool." Mirna discusses the life of the tribe in which men wore flower crowns and talks about their style. Note: Mirna is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna ,...

In this afikra FWD, Mudassir Azam talked about "Abu Zayd al-Balkhi's Sustenance of the Soul: The Cognitive Behavior Therapy of A Ninth Century Physician" by Malek Badri. Mudassir discusses the relationship between the mind and the body, phobias, and notions of depression, anger, and stress. Note: Mudassir is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest...

In this afikra FWD, Tanya Sukkari talked about "On Photography in Lebanon" from Kaph Books. On Photography in Lebanon is a book in which forty contributors share their perspectives on photography in Lebanon, evoking its equally numerous forms of existence. Examining techniques, practices, uses, objects, images, histories, and artistic approaches, this publication presents 380 photographs produced...

In this afikra FWD, Maha Kamel talked about Arbo Cubano: The seminal album by Hanine y Son Cubano. Maha discusses the musical elements, turning the album to reality, and the theme of universal longing. Note: Maha is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by The...

In this afikra FWD, Laila Karaman talked about "Gazbia Sirry- When Modern Arab Form Meets Politics" by Fatenn Mostafa-Kanafani. Laila discusses the themes in Sirry's artwork which are polygamy, gender preference/roles, gender equality, occupation/civil rights, and new political era (post 1952 revolution) and the aftermath. Note: Laila is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in...

In this afikra FWD, Pilar Rashad talked about "The Controversial Street Music that Won't Be Silenced," an article written by Adham Youssef for BBC Culture on Egypt's popular working-class music. Note: Pilar is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by The Brook...

In this afikra FWD, Naif Al Bidh talked about the history of South Yemen as the only Arab communist state and how the essence of a collective South West Asian culture was lost. Note: Naif is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna , afikra  Edited by: Ramzi Ramman Theme music by The Brooklyn Nomads https://...