Resources To Understand What’s Happening in Lebanon Right Now
The violence and atrocities that the Israeli occupation’s army is inflicting on Lebanon are not new. Today’s events sit within a long and bloody history that traces its roots far beyond October 7. Western media selectively forgets and deliberately omits the key historical context that situates today’s violence within the broader Zionist agenda. In the face of what we’re enduring in Lebanon, we have been seeking out resources — fiction and non-fiction — that help us trace this long history and contextualize today’s violence. We reached out to our community to find the best books and films out there and have added some of our own. This is intended as a growing list, so please share your suggestions with us too.
Daftar Digest
We select the best from the Arab world each month, and put it in your inbox.
Browse Daftar Digest Archive →Curated Recommendations
Every time a guest joins us on one of our podcast series, they leave us with breadcrumbs to further explore some of the topics that they covered in the episode. Browse through some of the best recommendations for films, books, and music from the Arab world.
Staff Pick: Podcast Episode
We did a deep dive into this upcoming episode of our This Is Not a Watermelon podcast with the author of "An Impossible Friendship: Group Portrait, Jerusalem Before and After 1948," professor Sonja Mejcher-Atassi.
From Daftar Journal:
Tsawwar
Tsawwar is a visual series enclosed monthly in our Daftar Digest and explores the stories behind a photograph taken in the region or by an Arab photographer.
The Egyptian Women’s Rights Movement
An introduction to the Egyptian Women’s Movement and its pioneers. With a link to our lesson plan that delves into this topic for high-schoolers.
The Travels of Ibn Battuta
A look at the life and travels of legendary wanderer Ibn Batutta. With an introduction to our afikra lesson plans!
House of Wisdom: Inventions in the Islamic Golden Age
Highlighting some of the scholars and their inventions from the House of Wisdom in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age.
Rhythms of the Sea: Pearl Divers of the Gulf & Their Music
The Pearl Industry and its music are an integral part of the Gulf’s cultural heritage. A brief look at its history and an introduction to our free-to-use lesson plan on this topic.
Stitching Identities: Palestinian Tatreez as Resistance
A short introduction to Palestinian tatreez and its symbolism as a tool of resistance, relating to the lesson plan we developed in collaboration with University of Chicago’s CMES.
Between Two Worlds: The Mahjar Literary Movement
An introduction to the Mahjar Literary Movement and the contents of our lesson plan developed in collaboration with the University of Chicago CMES.
Memories for Khaleeji Music
This mixtape is a collaboration with music creator and producer DJ Bonita (Farah A Bishara) who writes: "The short timespan between 2005 and 2008 holds tons of memories for Khaleeji music…”
Lesson Plans for Teachers
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