Browse the Archive
Rayess Bek’s Musical Evolution and Inspirations
Over his career, Wael Kodeih has gone by many names: From Aks’ser, Good Bye Schlöndorff to Rayess Bek, and his music has evolved with it. Here you’ll find the links to all the tracks mentioned in his Quartertones interview.
Tsawwar... Tanya Traboulsi
Our new series, Tsawwar, explores places, people and moments in time through the eyes of photographers and their photos. The first of this series is Tanya Traboulsi, a Lebanese photographer.
Arabic Covers of International Hits: a Mixtape by The Lick Records
Compiled by record store owner Mohamad Rifaï (aka @ri_fo) who's behind @thelickrecords in Beirut, and features some of his favorite Arabic interpretations of international hits that even your grandad might know.
Listen, Read, Watch: Resistance
A curated Listen, Watch, Read list spotlighting works of resistance from Palestine. With work by Riad Awwan, Tawfiq Zayyad and Rakan Mayasi.
Who Built Casablanca?
A look at Casablanca’s colonial-era architecture and its main figures.
Kuwait's Drive-In Cinemas of the 1970s
A nostalgic personal essay in which Ghada Al-Bahar takes us back to the drive-in cinemas of 70s Kuwait.
Remembering Waddah Faris
Waddah Faris was one of the Arab world’s most foremost cultural figures. In this profile, Mysa Kafil-Hussein looks back on his vibrant life and his wonderful photography.
A Mixtape To Celebrate Music by Arab Women
Music writer and curator Danny Hajjar has compiled a five-and-a-half-hour long mixtape that celebrates the voices of some of the best up-and-coming (but also some old favorite) musicians from the Arab world. Make sure to play it at your next party.
Listen, Read, Watch: Algeria
A curated Listen, Watch, Read list from Algeria, featuring work by Dahmane El Harrachi, Mohammed Dib and Mounia Meddour.
Curating an Artist's (and Parent's) Biography
This blog dives further into the lives and artwork of Amine El Bacha, Paul Guiragossian and Saloua Raouda Choucair. Three leading artists of Lebanon’s art world, they were the focus of a Moving Biographies podcast episode entitled “Curating an artist’s (and parent’s) biography” — which featured a conversation between Mahita El Bacha Urieta, Manuella Guiragossian and Hala Schoukair — daughters of each artist respectively.
Andy Clarno Recommends Books on Transnational Solidarity & Liberation
Author and Associate Professor Andy Clarno’s book recommendations to learn more about transnational solidarity and liberation.
The Baron: Syria's First Hotel
A vibrant personal essay and travelogue that transports us to Aleppo’s iconic Baron Hotel, weaving together its history with its present.
Books & Films To Understand What’s Happening in Sudan
After our conversation with Aida Abbashar, we wanted to continue educating ourselves about the current situation in Sudan. We hope this watch and read list acts as a good starting point for getting to grips with what’s happening in Sudan.
Gaza’s Cinemas & Theatres
A brief look at Gaza’s vibrant theatre and cinema scene in the 20th Century with wonderful images, stories and facts we’ve come across.
Inside the Arab Classroom: Education in the Arab World
In case you missed it — an introduction to “Inside the Arab Classroom” an NYU Global TIES for Children podcast all about education in the Arab world.
Books To Get Informed About What's Happening In Palestine
A reading list intended as a resource for learning about what’s happening in Palestine right now.
The Egyptian Women’s Rights Movement
An introduction to the Egyptian Women’s Movement and its pioneers. With a link to our lesson plan that delves into this topic for high-schoolers.
A Few Words From Our Global Chapter Ambassadors To Wrap Up This Incredible Year
To mark afikra’s 9th birthday, we asked a few of our global ambassadors to reflect the journeys they’ve had so far, how they set up their chapters, and what they’re excited about for the coming year.
House of Wisdom: Inventions in the Islamic Golden Age
Highlighting some of the scholars and their inventions from the House of Wisdom in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age.
Fijiri Music & Pearl Diving in the Arabian Gulf
The Pearl Industry and its music are an integral part of the Gulf’s cultural heritage. A brief look at its history and an introduction to our free-to-use lesson plan on this topic.