The Maghreb
Each month, we release an edition that offers fresh insights from leading voices and a global community of enthusiasts covering disciplines like language and literature, art and design, photography, music, TV and cinema, performing arts, food and heritage, architecture and urbanism, and history.
Browse More Editions
Editor’s Picks
Curated Reading Lists
Palestinian Embroidery
By Wafa Ghnaim
North Africa Must-reads
By the afikra community
Architecture in the Gulf
By Roberto Fabbri
Palestine in Literature
By Sonja Mejcher-Atassi
Finding Palestine in Michigan
Samia Halaby
When people think of Michigan, among many things that come to mind is the state’s history as a home to Arabs. Dearborn is colloquially referred to as the heart of Arab America, and its cultural institutions, such as the Arab American National Museum, document the overlooked stories of Arab Americans. Yet the stories of the Arab diaspora span the state of Michigan—past and present. It was this line of thinking that prompted my journey to uncover the story of the inimitable Palestinian painter Samia Halaby in Michigan.
Arab Modern Art Books
As part of our discussion on Kawkaba: Highlights from the Barjeel Foundation—a landmark exhibition at Christie’s London— we welcomed Dr. Ridha Moumni (Deputy Chair of Middle East and North Africa at Christie's), and Sultan Al-Qassemi (founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation), who shared insights into the show and its behind-the-scenes efforts. We asked them to highlight important Arab Modern artists and books on the topic.
Remembering
Waddah Faris
With a keen eye for emerging talent and a deep understanding of the region’s artistic evolution, Waddah Faris played a key role in shaping the visibility of Iraqi and Arab artists on the global stage. His work bridges tradition and modernity, preserving cultural narratives while fostering new creative expressions.
Listen, Read, Watch
The History of Arab Comics
George Khoury
Better known to many as JAD, George Khoury joined us on The afikra Podcast to talk about the history of Arab comics. We learnt about his career, the duality of working as a political journalist and comic artist during the Lebanese Civil War, and the unique role that comics have played in spreading nationalist propaganda throughout the Arab world. We’re diving a little deeper into the world of comics, pairing our findings with some striking examples of the region’s best publications.
