M.-Lynx-Qualey

Arts to ‘Flourish’ in a Ghaddafi-Free Libya

Arts to ‘Flourish’ in a Ghaddafi-Free Libya

M. LYNX-QUALEY: ‘Censorship is good for literature’? This was a curious refrain from some East European writers. No way, look at Libya today.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

The Silence of the Poets – And That Includes You, Adonis

The Silence of the Poets – And That Includes You, Adonis

M.LYNX-QUALEY: Poets have traditionally held a central role in reflecting the life of Arabs. Is that role, however, being usurped by other, more modern means of communication?

 Steve Royston

Libelling the Dead & the End of History

Libelling the Dead & the End of History

STEVE ROYSTON: Ending the principle that you cannot libel the dead would make it almost impossible to discuss the past without fear of litigation.

 Rachel McArthur

Interview: Arabs’ Got Talent’s Amr Qattamesh

Interview: Arabs’ Got Talent’s Amr Qattamesh

RACHEL MCARTHUR: Being part Egyptian, I’m happy to say I was the first UAE-based writer to interview the performer. Here’s what Amr Qattamesh had to say.

 Omar al-Issawi

Syria: Carrots on the End of a Very Long Stick

Syria: Carrots on the End of a Very Long Stick

OMAR AL-ISSAWI: It’s a ‘plot’, ‘foreign elements’ are at work, the word ‘conspiracy’ is never far from the lips of Syria’s official spokespeople. We’ve heard it all before – from Ben Ali, Mubarak, Gaddafi and Ali Abdullah Saleh.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Now That We Have Tasted Hope – A Poem

Now That We Have Tasted Hope – A Poem

M. LYNX QUALEY: “Now that we have lived on this hard-earned crust, We would sooner die than seek any other taste to life, Any other way of being human…”

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Five ‘Must Read’ Biographies from the Arab World

Five ‘Must Read’ Biographies from the Arab World

M.LYNX-QUALEY: It’s almost impossible to choose just five ‘must read’ biographies from the Arab world. When asked to do so I managed to limit it to six.

 Remona Aly

A Novel Approach to Improving the Perception of Islam

A Novel Approach to Improving the Perception of Islam

REMONA ALY: A bold initiative by young Muslim professionals to improve Britons’ view of Islam has sparked much debate. It may also be a template worth copying.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

The under-appreciated Sargon Boulus

The under-appreciated Sargon Boulus

A new translation of Boulus poem made M. Lynx Qualey reflect on how little-known the towering, excellent Boulus is in English—outside of Banipal readers.