Recommended Reading, 2019: Books From and About the Arab World
A sampling of works published, translated or honored in the past year illustrates the diversity of writing by Arab authors.
Iraqi Scholars Learn to Find Their Voice in Academic Publishing
Workshops in Iraq help scholars in the social sciences and humanities learn how to write for international, English-language academic journals.
A Kurdish Writer Tries to ‘Break the Silence’ Using Philosophy Instead of Politics
Bakhtiyar Ali rejects political solutions. Instead, his books pose questions about human responsibility in the face of conflict and corruption.
New Book Showcases Contemporary Arab Artists as Survivors
An anthology explores “Arabicity,” the cultural links and concerns shared by artists from disparate countries throughout the Arab world.
Arab Researchers Face Challenges in Studying Sexual Orientation
An Arab reluctance to discuss sexual orientation and sexuality makes it difficult to study related topics in the Middle East, researchers say. But they’re optimistic about the future as attitudes change.
False Research Results—A Global Problem That Includes the Arab World
Data analysis by Al-Fanar Media has found that two of the highest research producers in the Arab world—Egypt and Saudi Arabia—also have some of the highest rates of retracted articles, which are often related to scientific misconduct.
Artificial Intelligence Helps Computers Leap Forward in Reading Arabic
New projects use artificial intelligence to read Arabic publications of all kinds, opening up the possibility that local, print-only archives could be transformed into widely-available, searchable online resources.
2 Books Explore the Tricky Issue of Reform in Arab Higher Education
In a pair of recently edited volumes, experts gauge the current status of higher education and call for improvements.
Freedom of Creativity Is Under Siege in Egypt
Publishers, authors and bookstore owners feel pressure as the government clamps down on books with political content.
A Moroccan Publisher Reflects on the Struggles Independent Presses Face
At the Frankfurt Book Fair, Kenza Sefrioui gained insights on the problems faced worldwide by small publishing houses like hers.
