The Orontes stands out as the sole perennial river in Western Asia, meandering northward from Lebanon through Syria before merging its waters into the Mediterranean Sea. This geographical feature – having long held profound historical significance as a boundary marker since antiquity – has witnessed a series of shifts, embracing and bidding farewell to various attributes that have sculpted its being over time.

Fairuz not only lived and thrived through radio, but she also grew out of it. Her career in the 50’s can tell us a bit about why radio stations are not as relevant as they once were.

Prison literature forms an important part of the Palestinian literary canon, yet it is often overlooked and understudied. This article offers a brief introduction to the genre, its history, and some recommendations for works and authors to read. Photo from the Digital Archive of the Palestinian Museum via Mondoweiss.

We put together an Arab Jazz mixtape that we hope is more accurate than what’s out there already. Here’s a little introduction to the big names you should know in Arab Jazz.

Mohammed Hammad writes about his family home in Nablus — Beit Hammad — sharing its history and its present.

A recap of a panel about Islamic Arts that our founder and executive director, Mikey Muhanna, hosted at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Featuring panelists Fakhera Al Kindi, eL Seed and Suheyla Takesh delving into Islamic arts – traditional and contemporary – and much more.

Our new series, Tsawwar, explores places, people and moments in time through the eyes of photographers and their photos. This week’s features a photo and blurb by Mohamed Osam.

In case you missed it: an introduction to the Community Jameel x afikra COP28 podcast Series that builds a forum for intergenerational collaboration and engagement, channels a unique voice and inspires thoughtful discussions between youth, experts, non-experts and key global decision-makers.

A cultural and archaeological history of Bahrain’s Dilmun Burial Mounds written by Zeina Alkhaja former archives assistant at the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities who now works at the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage. Image via Dilmun Mounds UNESCO nomination text

What are the most important buildings in Kuwait city’s skyline? Who are the architects that built the urban fabric of this gulf city? A quick guide to some of K

Introducing afikra’s community podcast that showcases community member’s presentations from global chapters around the world. Hear presentations on nerdy topics ranging from an unrequited love for Umm Kulthum to the Yemeni diaspora in Indonesia.

Recommendations for what to Listen, Watch, Read list from Morocco, featuring Bab L’Bluz, Laila Lalami, and Asmae El Moudir.

A look back at season two of the Tasmeem Doha x afikra podcast which marked VCUarts Qatar’s 25th anniversary and took us behind the scenes of the biennial design conference.

The NYUAD Arts Center Podcast spotlights theater, performing arts, poetry, music and more from Abu Dhabi. Each interview delves into the unique creative practices and inspirations of performers featured on NYUAD Arts Center’s programme this season.

We marked the inaugural edition of the Design Doha Biennial with a collaborative podcast. Find out more about this innovative festival celebrating MENA’s design landscape and what this podcast is all about. Image via @casablancafotografia.mx

Hamed Gohar — “King of the Red Sea” — was featured as a Google Doodle on November 15, 2023, to mark what would have been his 115th birthday. We were curious to learn more about his contributions to marine biology and pioneering work as a much-loved TV presenter

For classical music lovers and anyone who’s been looking to broaden their musical horizons, get started with what Kareem Roustom’s been listening to lately.

In Oct 2022, Google Doodle featured Haja El Hamdaouia — an icon of Moroccan Chaabi and El Aita music. We wanted to find out more about her life, music and legacy. Image via SRNT News.

For any architecture nerds looking for some weirdly and wonderfully shaped buildings from across the region, here are 5 buildings that have a unique form or structure.

Image via Pinterest.

Our new series, Tsawwar, explores places, people and moments in time through the eyes of photographers and their photos. This week’s features a photo and blurb by Adam Rouhana.