Naseem Tarawnah

‘The Square’: A Compelling View of Egypt’s Revolution

‘The Square’: A Compelling View of Egypt’s Revolution

NASEEM TARAWNAH: I have my personal memories of that tumultuous time. But ‘The Square’ is a vision that all Arabs and non-Arabs should view.

 Juan Cole

‘Too Extreme for Al Qaeda’: Al Zawahiri Disowns ISIL

‘Too Extreme for Al Qaeda’: Al Zawahiri Disowns ISIL

JUAN COLE: The insistence by many commentators in speaking about a single Al Qaeda entity in Iraq and Syria is plain wrong.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

The Arab Women Writers To Read: A Personal Choice

The Arab Women Writers To Read: A Personal Choice

M. LYNX-QUALEY: I’m a less than enthusiastic participant in the ‘Women to Read’ movement but here are some writers worth spending time with.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

‘Translating for Bigots’: One Author’s How-To Guide

‘Translating for Bigots’: One Author’s How-To Guide

M. LYNX-QUALEY: If you’re looking to communicate with an audience that is, let’s call it, less sympathetic to your views how should you go about it?

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

A Matter of Translation: Aswany Endures Fierce Attack

A Matter of Translation: Aswany Endures Fierce Attack

M. LYNX-QUALEY: He’s arguably Egypt’s best-known novelist but Alaa Aswany has come under ferocious criticism from his ex-translator

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Tawfiq al-Hakim: Let’s Celebrate The ‘First’ Arab Novelist

Tawfiq al-Hakim: Let’s Celebrate The ‘First’ Arab Novelist

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Naguib Mahfouz himself saw him as the originator of the modern Arab novel. His work and his life are deserving of celebration

 Jonathan Cook

‘Omar’: The First Wholly Palestinian Movie On Occupation

‘Omar’: The First Wholly Palestinian Movie On Occupation

JONATHAN COOK: It is written by Palestinians, stars Palestinians and is funded entirely by Palestinian money. Welcome to ‘Omar’.

 Crossroads Arabia

Saudi Film To Win An Oscar? ‘No Thank You!’

Saudi Film To Win An Oscar?  ‘No Thank You!’

CROSSROADS ARABIA: The Saudi made film Wajda has been nominated in the Best Foreign Film category for the Oscars. But the country doesn’t even have a cinema!

 Alexander McNabb

UAE: The World’s Smartphone Leader

UAE: The World’s Smartphone Leader

The United Arab Emirates leads the world in smartphone penetration, with 74% of mobile subscribers carrying one of the natty little devils in their pockets.

ALEXANDER MCNABB: The United Arab Emirates leads the world in smartphone penetration, with 74% of mobile subscribers carrying one of the natty little devils in their pockets.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Is the Divide Between ‘High’ and ‘Low-Brow’ A Myth?

Is the Divide Between ‘High’ and ‘Low-Brow’ A Myth?

M. LYNX-QUALEY: I confess – I read from both sides of the so-called ‘great divide’ in Egyptian literature. Should we even talk in these terms anymore?

 Common Ground News Service

‘Gaga, There’s More to The Burqa Than A Stage Prop’

‘Gaga, There’s More to The Burqa Than A Stage Prop’

KEZIA RIDGEWAY, CGNEWS: It’s not suprising that Lady Gaga has lit on the burqa as a garb-of-controversy but she could use the debate more constructively

 Jonathan Cook

‘We Fight With Our Imagination’: Feted Director Speaks

‘We Fight With Our Imagination’: Feted Director Speaks

JONATHAN COOK: He’s will not let Israelis forget about the impact that their occupation has on everyday Palestinian life.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Arab Writers Are Stuck In A Cultural Cul-De-Sac – Dabbagh

Arab Writers Are Stuck In A Cultural Cul-De-Sac – Dabbagh

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Unlike, say South American writers such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Arab writers appear to be defined by their geography and politics

 Crossroads Arabia

‘Little Green Men vs Arabs’: Simple Choice for U.S Readers

‘Little Green Men vs Arabs’: Simple Choice for U.S Readers

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Selling Arabic literature, in translation, to a U.S audience is particularly challenging

 Rachel McArthur

Message to Myriam – ‘You Have Plenty to Be Modest About’

Message to Myriam – ‘You Have Plenty to Be Modest About’

Lebanese singer Myriam Fares' latest television appearance has left viewers less than impressed.

RACHEL MCARTHUR: She’s made plenty of headlines this week but she would do well to reflect on the word ‘modesty’ in all its senses

 Steve Royston

‘Wadjda’ – A Beautiful, Nuanced Evocation of Saudi Life

‘Wadjda’ – A Beautiful, Nuanced Evocation of Saudi Life

STEVE ROYSTON: It’s the story of a young girl’s everyday life in Riyadh. How many Saudis, though, will give up the chance to see the latest CGI blockbuster to view it?

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Rare Interview With Rawi Hage: ‘I’m Free To Be Difficult’

Rare Interview With Rawi Hage: ‘I’m Free To Be Difficult’

M. LYNX-QUALEY: He came to writing late and he writes in his third language but Rawi Hage has developed a compelling, distinctive voice

 Alexander McNabb

The Dubai Book Club War: Curbed In the Nick of Time

The Dubai Book Club War: Curbed In the Nick of Time

ALEXANDER MCNABB: A new regulatory authority for social clubs in Dubai has appeared. So is the humble book club included?

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Children’s Puppet Show: A Threat to Israeli Public Security

Children’s Puppet Show: A Threat to Israeli Public Security

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Children’s puppets represent a new target for the Israeli authorities.

 Tabsir

Satire in the Arab World: Getting to the Crux of Issues

Satire in the Arab World: Getting to the Crux of Issues

TABSIR: Jon Stewart’s recent appearance on Bassem Youssef’s Egyptian show underscores the power that satirists have to unsettle holders of power