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- Yesterday1h 9m
The Weirdest Items in the Library of Congress | Muhannad Salhi
Rare artifacts within the vast archives of the Library of Congress (LOC) represent a shift in how our region's history is fundamentally understood. Moving beyond traditional nationalist timelines, Arab World specialist in the African and Middle East division at the LOC, Dr. Muhannad Salhi, explores the transition of diverse items in the library's "Near East" collection, from 3000-year-old economic receipts to unique cultural fragments, into autonomous objects of study that define a global narrative. Reclaiming these stories serves as a resistance against regional erasure and the invisibility often felt in the global cultural landscape. 0:00 Introduction 1:52 The "Near East" Section: Geographic and Linguistic Scope 3:02 The Library's Path 4:46 Overview of the Arabic Collection 5:20 The Library's Oldest Items 7:06 Digitization Efforts and Copyright Restrictions 9:10 The Purpose of the Library of Congress 13:24 Regional Context and Cultural Insight 16:00 A Public Resource and Supporting Global Scholarship 18:36 Overseas Offices and Book Dealers 19:17 A Typical Week with Rare Materials and Scholarly Research 22:11 The Oldest Piece of Islamic object in the Americas 25:00 Calligraphy Styles: From Kufi to South Asian and Persian Aesthetics 27:03 The Chinese Quran: A Unique Intersection of Cultures 28:03 The Dalail al-Khayrat and Mantle of the Prophet 31:55 Manuscripts from Gambia 33:24 Arabic Translations of Greek Medicine 35:45 A Unique Work on Petroleum 36:54 Astronomy and Astrology 39:53 Mapping the Region 44:42 Archiving Historic Newspapers and Pop Culture 48:42 Early Arabic Printing 52:10 The Jefferson Quran: Myth vs. Reality in Pop Culture 57:00 Arab-American Literature: Ameen Rihani's The Book of Khalid 58:20 Iraq's Most Wanted Deck of Cards 01:00:22 A Lost Letter from West Africa 01:02:15 Photography Archives 01:03:33 The Items That Got Away 01:06:08 What Policymakers Should Understand About the Region Muhannad Salhi is the Arab World Specialist in the African and Middle Eastern Division at the Library of Congress, where he covers the Arab world, North Africa, and Islam. He received his doctorate in history and his MAs in history and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Chicago. He is the author of Palestine in the Evolution of Syrian Nationalism (1918-1920) as well as other book chapters, book reviews, and blogs. His interests include the Ancient Near East, Classical Islam, the Modern Middle East, and Islamic studies. Prior to coming to the Library of Congress, he taught courses on the Arab World and Islam at various colleges and universities in the Chicago area, including the University of Chicago and Governors State University. Connect with Muhannad Salhi 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/muhannad-salhi-09b20549/ Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/afikra
- 1 weeks ago59 min
Invention of the Maghreb: Beyond the Native Colonial Gaze | Majid Hannoum
Beyond the Orientalist myth of being seductive, mysterious, and dangerous, what is the reality of Tangier? Professor of anthropology Majid Hannoum deconstructs the invention of the Maghreb and delves into the complex socioeconomic and racial fabric of contemporary Moroccan cities. He explores how colonial legacies continue to shape identity, from the very term "Maghreb" – which he argues did not exist in pre-colonial Arabic historiography in its current sense – to the phenomenology of color that influences modern social hierarchies in Tangier. 00:00 Introduction 01:50 The Colonial and Post-Colonial Invention of the Maghreb 03:31 Neighborhood Politics and Class Dynamics in Meknes, Morocco 06:12 Historical Evolution of Maghreb in Arabic Historiography 09:17 Deconstructing Orientalist Myths and the Seductive Image of Tangier 12:47 Historical European Gazes 18:03 Tangier in Pre-Colonial Times 19:41 Tangier in Fiction, Songs, and Folktales 23:41 Exploring Migration, Sexuality, and the City’s Unseen Sides 25:59 Socioeconomic Realities 30:23 Migration Patterns and the Phenomenology of Color in Moroccan Urbanism 32:59 The Native Colonial Gaze and Socioeconomic Racialization 39:46 Decolonizing Ibn Khaldun & Challenging the Myth of European Discovery 43:24 Translation Ideology 50:43 Discourse Analysis and the Radical Critique of Academic Categories 53:40 Scholarly Recommendations for Unlearning and Decolonizing Knowledge Majid Hannoum is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Kansas whose extensive research focuses on North Africa. Growing up in Meknes, Morocco, his personal history is rooted in the very urban and socioeconomic dynamics he explores in his academic work, such as the internal class and neighborhood hierarchies within Moroccan cities. His scholarship is deeply concerned with deconstructing colonial narratives and unlearning entrenched mindsets. Connect with Majid Hannoum 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-hannoum-04661ab/ Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 2 weeks ago58 min
Modern Egyptian Art & Post-Colonial Cultural Politics | Clare Davies
Modern Egyptian art was not simply an institutional byproduct of the 20th century, but rather a profound ontological shift in how the nature of the art object was fundamentally understood. Moving beyond traditional nationalist timelines, this transformation was deeply intertwined with the physical dismantling of historic Cairo, where stripped architectural fragments were repurposed into autonomous art objects for a new elite. Today, reclaiming these narratives serves as an urgent resistance against the regional erasure and invisibility often felt in the global cultural landscape. 00:00 Introduction: Defining the Autonomous Art Object 02:28 Challenging the "East Meets West" Trope 05:28 The Ontological Shift 10:20 The Nahda Influence 13:31 Memories of Gaza and the Weight of Regional Crisis 18:03 The Urgency of Representation and Invisibility 22:22 Huda Sha'arawi: Feminist Icon and Anti-Colonial Art Patron 25:32 Disrupting Colonial Markets 30:14 Mahmoud Mukhtar & Publicly Funded Neoperonism 34:02 The Rise of Surrealist Criticism 37:06 Connectivity Across Lebanon, Syria, and the Cairo Salon 41:44 The National Salon vs. the European Cairo Salon 46:13 Confronting Pseudomorphism 51:39 Scholarly Recommendations for Re-centering Arab Art History 54:03 The Art and Liberty Group’s Interruption of Futurism 56:11 Marxism, Feminism, and the Social Unconscious Clare Davies is an associate curator at the The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. She has contributed to a wide range of research, programming, and archival projects related to art and photography in the Middle East since serving as associate curator of the Townhouse Gallery in Cairo between 2004 and 2006. She completed her doctoral dissertation at New York University Institute of Fine Arts and was subsequently awarded the inaugural Irmgard Coninx Prize Fellowship at the Forum Transregionale Studien, Berlin. She is the coauthor of "Robert Morris: Object Sculpture, 1960–65" and has published regularly on contemporary art from the Arab world. Connect with Clare Davies 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-davies-a49a9b143/ Hosted by Mikey Muhanna Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns FOLLOW & RATE THE THE AFIKRA PODCAST: » Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743 » Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze » Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869 THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast,
- 3 weeks ago59 min
Shar & the Forgotten Genocide of Libya | Ali Abdullatif Ahmida
Unveiling the suppressed history of "Shar," Professor Ali Abdellatif Ahmida details the forgotten genocide of the Libyan people under Italian settler colonialism in 1911. As a distinguished political scientist and historian at the University of New England, Professor Ahmida dedicated 15 years to investigating why this mass tragedy was systematically erased from global scholarship and collective memory. Through meticulous research and rare oral testimonies from survivors, he reconstructs the horrors of forced displacement and concentration camps that claimed the lives of tens of thousands. He offers a nuanced critique of the "collective amnesia" in Western academia and the strategic silence of post-war Italy, challenging myths of "moderate" Italian fascism. 00:00 Introduction: An Extensive Scholarly Void 02:28 Beyond the Stereotypical Image 05:28 Navigating the Colonial Transition in 1911 10:20 Perspectives From the Southern Frontier 13:31 The Slow Dismantling of an Empire 18:03 The Ideological Weight of the Roman Myth 22:22 Artificial Lines and the Unified Movement 25:32 The Roots of Organized Resistance 30:14 Negotiating the Terms of Independence 34:02 Contradictions of the Post-War Client State 37:06 The Logic of the Fourth Shore 41:44 The Mechanics of Mass Displacement 46:13 Global Complicity and the Politics of Amnesia 51:39 Reclaiming a Seat in Historical Memory 54:03 The Ethics of the Freedom Fighter 56:11 Shar: The Survivors’ Conceptualization of Death Professor Ali Abdellatif Ahmida is the founding chair and a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of New England in Maine. Born in Waddan, Libya, and educated at Cairo University and the University of Washington, his scholarship focuses on historical sociology, political theory, and anti-colonial resistance in North Africa. A prolific author, his major works include "The Making of Modern Libya" and his most recent investigative research into "Shar," the forgotten colonial genocide in Libya. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 4 weeks ago54 min
A Love Letter to Tunisian Artisans | Kenza Fourati
Model and entrepreneur Kenza Fourati discusses her origins, growing up 1990s in Tunisia to becoming a trailblazing figure in the international fashion industry. She reflects on how she initially viewed beauty through a French lens and the subsequent realization of how limiting that perspective was to the beauty of her immediate surroundings. The conversation delves into her brand, Osay (Our Stories Are Yours), which seeks to challenge the traditional fashion hierarchy by making Tunisian artisans the central designers and protagonists of their own craft. Through Osay, Fourati emphasizes the importance of supply chain accountability and human connection, moving away from a model of nameless, faceless hands toward one that celebrates the ingenuity and heritage of the Global South. 0:00 Introduction 2:06 Reclaiming Arab Aesthetics 3:01 Growing Up in Tunisia and Early Notions of Beauty 5:42 Navigating the Modeling Industry 7:52 Lack of Arab Role Models in Global Fashion 9:18 Choosing Creative Freedom 11:04 Finding Power in a Discardable Industry 12:59 Osay: Elevating Tunisian Artisans 14:16 Challenging the Fashion Supply Chain 16:06 Reversing the Design Hierarchy: Artisans as Protagonists 18:05 Modeling as a Blank Canvas vs. Projecting a Story 19:57 A Love Letter to Tunisian Heritage 23:14 Reflections on the Sports Illustrated Milestone 25:52 Amplifying the Tunisian Revolution 27:21 Stereotypes and the Western Gaze 30:23 Finding Your Tribe 35:08 Local Critique and Patriotism 38:06 The Influence of Producer Dora Bouchoucha and Life on Film Sets 42:10 Creative Production in Hollywood and the Middle East 43:24 The Shift Toward Individualism 46:30 Celebrating Tunisian Brands 49:08 Remembering Master Artisan Mansour and the Preservation of Craft Kenza Fourati is a Tunisian model and entrepreneur whose career is defined by a commitment to bridging global fashion with authentic cultural heritage. After gaining international recognition as the first Arab Muslim woman featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition in 2011, she leveraged her platform to advocate for social and labor rights, even sharing personal letters regarding the Tunisian revolution through major media outlets. Fourati co-founded the brand Osay (Our Stories Are Yours), which centers on elevating the visibility of artisans from the global south by making them the primary designers of modern textile and leather goods. Currently based in New York, she continues to challenge traditional industry hierarchies by advocating for transparency, ethical labor practices, and the preservation of ancestral craftsmanship. Connect with Kenza Fourati 👉 https://instagram.com/kenzafourati Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm
- Apr 13, 202649 min
Domicide in Homs & Beyond | Architect Ammar Azzouz
The concept of domicide and its profound impact on Homs, Syria, is explored through the work and personal experiences of architect Ammar Azzouz. A research fellow at the University of Oxford, Dr. Azzouz discusses the deliberate destruction of homes, the trauma of exile, and his eventual return to his homeland. He examines how international attention frequently prioritizes the loss of ancient heritage sites, such as Palmyra, while often overlooking the intimate grief associated with the destruction of residential areas where people lived their daily lives. The discussion also delves into the slow violence of pre-war urban projects, like the "Homs Dream", which proposed demolishing parts of the historic old city for modern development, and how these top-down models continue to threaten the city's identity during current reconstruction efforts. 01:04 Introduction 01:35 Personal Memories of Home 05:00 The Architectural Identity of Homs 06:11 Exile and Return 10:51 Domicide vs. Urbicide 13:16 Slow Violence and the Homs Dream 17:18 The Politics of Reconstruction and Dubaization 21:04 Alternative Visions for Healing 33:00 Empowering the Next Generation 34:32 The Limitations of International Heritage Organizations 41:06 Highlighting Favorite Historical Sites Dr. Ammar Azzouz is a British Academy Research Fellow at the School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford. Originally from Homs, Syria, he studied architecture before moving to the UK to complete his PhD. Since leaving Syria in 2011, he has not been able to return. Dr. Azzouz is the author of Domicide: Architecture, War and the Destruction of Home in Syria (2023, Bloomsbury), with a foreword by Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent. He is the Principal Investigator of the Slow Violence and the City research project, which explores the connection between violence and the built environment in both wartime and peacetime. His current research focuses on art and culture in exile, particularly within the Syrian diaspora. Dr. Azzouz has contributed to platforms such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and The New Statesman, and has been invited to speak at over 130 events worldwide, from Mexico and the US to Germany, the Netherlands, and Qatar. Connect with Dr. Ammar Azzouz 👉 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ammar-azzouz Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Apr 6, 20261h 6m
The Secrets of Ancient Egypt: Dynasties, Pyramids & Pharaohs | Egyptologist Aidan Dodson
What made Egypt the longest-surviving country in the world? Aidan Dodson is a professor and author of over 30 books and helps us explore fundamental shifts in our understanding of ancient Egypt. The discussion spans the civilization's long run, from the unification around 3000 BC—a feat commemorated by the crucial Narmer Palette—until Christianity began to erode its religious and linguistic foundations around 300 AD. Dodson examines the Pyramid Era, explaining these structures as magical machines designed to transition the dead king into a god. He also covers the rise of the sun cult and the political power of female pharaohs, including Nefertiti, whose historical importance lies in her role negotiating the religious transition from Akhenaten's revolution to Tutankhamun's return to tradition. The episode concludes with Dr. Dodson's top archaeological discoveries he wishes he had witnessed. 00:00 Introduction 01:30 A Passion for Egyptology 02:47 How Ancient Egypt is Presented to Young Audiences 03:47 Defining the Span of Ancient Egypt 04:21 The Unification of Egypt 08:18 Narmer: The Unifier of Egypt 09:56 Daily Life in Early Ancient Egypt 11:31 The Political Center: Memphis 12:57 Knowing the Personalities of Ancient Rulers 15:48 The Narmer Palette and the Discovery of Human Sacrifice 24:29 The Dawn of the Pyramid Era 27:44 Imhotep: Djoser’s Right-Hand Man 30:38 Sneferu: The Greatest Pyramid Builder 33:36 The Purpose of the Pyramids 38:35 The Elevation of the Sun Cult 40:34 The Pyramid Texts and Egyptian Religion 44:49 The Female Pharaohs 49:25 Nefertiti: From Glamour to Political Power 53:57 Dr. Dodson’s Top Archaeological Moments 54:50 The Discovery of Tutankhamun’s Tomb 01:00:04 The Imperial Relationship of Ancient Egypt and Nubia 01:03:17 The Nubian Pharaoh Aidan Dodson is honorary full professor of Egyptology in the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology at the University of Bristol, and has authored some thirty books. He was also Simpson Professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo in 2013, and Chair of the Egypt Exploration Society during 2011–16. Awarded his PhD by the University of Cambridge in 2003, he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 2003. Connect with Aidan Dodson 👉 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/aidan-dodson-57179434 Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Mar 30, 20261h 1m
Inheriting a Legacy and a Platform | Najla Said
As the daughter of the renowned intellectual Edward Said, Najla Said discusses the unique pressures of navigating her family's legacy while forging her own creative voice in the shadow of his immense influence. The conversation explores her journey from attempting to assimilate into American culture as a youth to confronting her heritage during a pivotal trip to Palestine and Lebanon. Said details her entry into professional theater and the development of her acclaimed one-woman show, Palestine, which grew from an intimate journal entry. She also offers a personal perspective on her father's moral backbone, the impact of recent global events on her sense of safety in New York, and the evolution of her activism through new collaborative theater projects. The discussion touches on the enduring intimacy of her memoir, Looking for Palestine, and how sharing her inner monologue has helped her find a community based on genuine solidarity. 0:00 Introduction 1:37 Childhood Stories and Typewritten Plays 2:54 Growing Up in the Shadow of Intellectual Giants 7:23 The Weight of Family Legacy 10:00 Journaling and the Discovery of a Personal Voice 12:47 Acting, Identity, and Hollywood Reality Checks 20:36 Defining "Arab" through Theater 22:10 Navigating Identity Shifts: Lebanon, Palestine, and New York 33:32 Misunderstandings and the Moral Backbone of Edward Said 36:58 Current Work: Dialogue in a Time of Hostility 44:30 Erasing Legacy: Columbia University and Global Activism 47:40 Politics and Perception 52:14 Looking for Palestine: The Vulnerability of Memoir 56:56 Shedding the Need to Be Liked 58:07 Solidarity as the Greatest Expression of Love Najla Said is a Palestinian-Lebanese-American actress, playwright, author, and activist, recognized for her memoir Looking for Palestine: Growing Up Confused in an Arab-American Family (2013), which chronicles her struggles with cultural identity amid a privileged New York City upbringing as the daughter of prominent Palestinian intellectual Edward W. Said and his Lebanese-born wife Mariam Cortas Said. Said initially distanced herself from her Arab heritage, assimilating into American and Jewish social circles while attending elite institutions like Dalton School and Princeton University, before a transformative trip to the Middle East prompted her to embrace Palestinian roots more fully. Said's career spans theater and performance, including her solo show Palestine, which she has presented at over 25 high schools, colleges, and universities worldwide since its off-Broadway debut, addressing themes of diaspora, stereotyping, and Arab-American experiences. She has worked with New York institutions such as New York Theatre Workshop, The Public Theater, and Second Stage, and maintains affiliations like a "Usual Suspect" at NYTW. As an activist, Said advocates for Palestinian self-determination, drawing on her father's legacy of critiquing Western orientalism, though her public engagements, including support for campus protests, reflect a personal evolution from identity confusion to vocal solidarity with causes tied to her heritage. Connect with Najla Said 👉 https://instagram.com/kittybubble Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: <a href="https://www
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About The afikra Podcast
The afikra Podcast is our flagship series featuring experts from academia, art, media, urban planning and beyond, who are helping document and shape the histories and cultures of the Arab world through their work. Our hope is that by having the guest share their expertise and story, the community walks away with a newfound curiosity, and recommendations about new nerdy rabbit holes to dive into head first.
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The afikra Podcast covers topics including Education, Arts, Culture, Society & Culture. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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