‘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.
‘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
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
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.
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 […]
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
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
“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.
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!
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.
‘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
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.
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
#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.
‘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.