M.-Lynx-Qualey

‘Forza Arabia’: Italians Show Growing Interest in Arabic Literature

‘Forza Arabia’: Italians Show Growing Interest in Arabic Literature

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Diving in the Red Sea is not the only pleasure from this region that is proving appealing to Italians. There is a growing interest in its literature.

 Eman-Al-Nafjan

‘Wadjda’: Is It The First Good Saudi-made Movie?

‘Wadjda’: Is It The First Good Saudi-made Movie?

EMAN AL NAFJAN: Go see it is my recommendation and the movie reminds me of my own childhood growing up in the Kingdom

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

PalFest 2013: Beyond ‘the Crisis Narrative’ To Art & Experiment

PalFest 2013: Beyond ‘the Crisis Narrative’ To Art & Experiment

M. LYNX-QUALEY: The organisers of this year’s Palestine Lit Fest have decided to ignore, as much as possible, the physical barriers separating Palestinians

 Mondoweiss

Gaza’s Assaf: The Arab World’s New Singing Sensation

Gaza’s Assaf: The Arab World’s New Singing Sensation

MONDOWEISS: He very nearly didn’t even make it to the audition but Mohammed Assaf has rapidly become a superstar with his patriotic songs.

 The View From Fez

A True Treasure Trove: Casablanca’s Vinyl Record Shops

A True Treasure Trove: Casablanca’s Vinyl Record Shops

Vinyl records are a rarity these days and many are collectors’ items. The shop we discovered held a treasure trove of recordings from the golden age of Egyptian music. Artists such as Umm Kulthum, Abd al-Halim Hafiz, Farid al-Atrash, etc., as well as some of the foundational Moroccan musicians from the mid-twentieth century, artists like […]

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Arab Writers at PEN: It’s Not Just About Politics

Arab Writers at PEN: It’s Not Just About Politics

M. LYNX-QUALEY: At major international writer events there seems to be an overwhelming focus on the politics of the region. Understandable but we’re neglecting a fuller picture

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

The UAE and ‘Big Culture’: What Role For Expats?

The UAE and ‘Big Culture’: What Role For Expats?

M. LYNX-QUALEY: My visit to the Abu Dhabi Book Fair caused me to muse on the issues of ‘localisation’ and the role that expats play in such a heavily skewed population

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

“If You Only Ever Read Five Arabic Books, Read These”

“If You Only Ever Read Five Arabic Books, Read These”

M. LYNX-QUALEY: So you’ve decided that there’s only enough time in your life to read five Arabic books (translated). Here’s a little help deciding which five.

 Tabsir

Banished: The Man Who’s ‘Too Handsome’ For Saudi Arabia

Banished: The Man Who’s ‘Too Handsome’ For Saudi Arabia

DANIEL M. VARISCO: He’s a danger to Saudi society. Women in the Kingdom must be protected from his dazzling good looks. All hail Handsome Omar!

 Rachel McArthur

Mohamed Salem: ‘Time to Support Arab Comedians’

Mohamed Salem: ‘Time to Support Arab Comedians’

Look out for Mohamed Salem, because chances are you’re going to hear a lot more about him in the coming year. One of the first stand-up comedians to emerge from Egypt, the 30-year-old Alexandria native has caught the attention of social network users thanks to his show Moga Stand-up, not to mention a few celebrity fans (word has it Egyptian actresses Basma and Donia Sameer Ghanem are just two of the big names who have attended his gigs in the past).

RACHEL MCARTHUR: Look out for Mohamed Salem, because chances are you’re going to hear a lot more about him in the coming year.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

‘Revolution Against Classical Arabic Is Now Required’

‘Revolution Against Classical Arabic Is Now Required’

M. LYNX-QUALEY: There is a strong and growing sentiment against the constraints put upon writers in the region who write in a collloquial style

 Tabsir

The Bible and Hollywood: A Match Not Made In Heaven

The Bible and Hollywood: A Match Not Made In Heaven

DANIEL VARISCO: Here we go again. Yet another filmed interpretation of the Bible stretches credulity to the limit.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Popular and Acclaimed: The Voice of Arab Women?

Popular and Acclaimed: The Voice of Arab Women?

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Her latest novel has sold more than 100,000 copies within the first two months of release. She is, though, a sharply divisive figure

 Common Ground News Service

#MyJihad: The Struggle To Reclaim a Word

#MyJihad: The Struggle To Reclaim a Word

MONIQUE PARSONS, CGNEWS: It is one of the most over-used yet least understood terms in relation to Islam. A concerted campaign has begun to claim it back.

 Common Ground News Service

‘Real Gains’ Being Made by Women In Saudi Arabia

‘Real Gains’ Being Made by Women In Saudi Arabia

MAHA AKEEL, CGNEWS: The appointment of 30 extremely well-qualified women to the Shura Council is just the latest in a string of recent achievements for Saudi women.