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Journey Into Raï With Cheb Mimo
Curated by Cheb Mimo for afikra, introducing what raï music production looked like between the late 80s and the early 2000s. "Raï is a music genre that originates from the rich cultural tapestry of Algeria. It places a significant emphasis on lyrical improvisation."
Listen, Read, Watch: Palestine
Recommendations for what to Listen, Watch, Read list from Palestine, featuring Lana Lubany, Karim Kattan and Lina Soualem.
Roadtrip Through the Arab World in a Mixtape
Travel through geography, space and time in this roadtrip playlist that crosses genres, eras, regions and covers that celebrate the Arab world and being on the road.
The Orontes River: On Water Imagery and Local Knowledge
The Orontes stands out as the sole perennial river in Western Asia, meandering northward from Lebanon through Syria before merging its waters into the Mediterranean Sea. This geographical feature – having long held profound historical significance as a boundary marker since antiquity – has witnessed a series of shifts, embracing and bidding farewell to various attributes that have sculpted its being over time.
Rare Recordings of Fairuz's Voice & First Impressions on the Radio
Fairuz not only lived and thrived through radio, but she also grew out of it. Her career in the 50’s can tell us a bit about why radio stations are not as relevant as they once were.
Prison Literature: A Defining Genre of Palestinian Literary Production
Prison literature forms an important part of the Palestinian literary canon, yet it is often overlooked and understudied. This article offers a brief introduction to the genre, its history, and some recommendations for works and authors to read. Photo from the Digital Archive of the Palestinian Museum via Mondoweiss.
An Arab Jazz Mixtape
This is an Arab Jazz compilation, intended as a growing – and accurate –playlist for the genre. Make sure to save and come back to it when you're in the mood for jazz.
Beit Hammad: The History of a Family Home in Nablus
Mohammed Hammad writes about his family home in Nablus — Beit Hammad — sharing its history and its present.
“Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World” at the Louvre Abu Dhabi
A recap of a panel about Islamic Arts that our founder and executive director, Mikey Muhanna, hosted at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Featuring panelists Fakhera Al Kindi, eL Seed and Suheyla Takesh delving into Islamic arts – traditional and contemporary – and much more.