Public Art Is Finding Its Place in Qatar
The transition from purely decorative art to more complex works proves a learning curve for society, artists and public art institutions
Online Book Clubs Keep Conversations on Arab Literature Alive
The coronavirus lockdowns inspired a shift to online book clubs among groups that focus on Arab authors and their international readers.
New ‘American’ University in Baghdad Aims to Train Future Leaders
The new American University of Iraq–Baghdad brings a liberal-arts approach to higher education to the Iraqi capital.
Preserving the Vanishing Heritage of East Africa’s Swahili Coast
Traces of a culture once at the center of exchange between Islam and East Africa are in danger of disappearing. Two authors hope to change that.
How Much Academic Freedom Should Students Have?
A history professor at an American university in Qatar explains how his students have free choice of media for their assignments.
Songs of Syria: The Syria Music Map Reconnects Millions Displaced by War
A musical and cultural heritage archive, the Syria Music Map offers displaced Syrians a chance to reconnect with their roots.
‘Poetic Justice’: A Snapshot of Contemporary Moroccan Poetry
Deborah Kapchan’s comprehensive new anthology pulls together a rich and varied tapestry of Morocco’s many poetic traditions.
Zeana Atarbashi: Women and History Inspire an Engineer-Turned-Artist
The Iraqi-Canadian artist Zeana Atarbashi draws on the heritage of her hometown, Mosul, and the life-giving power of women.
Qatari Artist Encourages Others to Find Freedom in Their Work
Art was a saving presence for the multidisciplinary artist Ameera AlAji in her youth. Now she hopes to inspire a new generation of Qatari artists to find a similar freedom.
Crime Fiction From the Maghreb: Not So Hidden After All
Who says the genre barely exists in the region? A little detective work turns up plenty of fictional bodies in the libraries of western North Africa.
