The afikra Podcast

• "The Future is Not a Grave" With the NYU Institutes | Masha Kirasirova & Tishani Doshi

  "The Future Is Not a Grave" is a three-day workshop happening next week at NYUAD which explores futurisms and futurescapes across the MENA, Gulf, and Indian Ocean regions. In this collaborative episode with NYU Abu Dhabi Institute, conveners Tishani Doshi and Masha Kirasirova delve into challenging despair, fostering collective imagination, and integrating diverse perspectives from artists, scholars, and performers. Discover how this initiative seeks to redefine conversations about the future, moving beyond conventional narratives and embracing a more open-ended, tolerant, and inclusive approach.November 10-12, 2025 in Abu Dhabi 👉 https://publicprograms.nyuad.nyu.edu/en/the-institute/events/2025/november/the-future-is-not-a-grave.html 0:00 The Future Is Not A Grave: Provocative Title and Imagining Possibilities2:50 The Role of Imagination and Counteracting Despair4:01 Future-Oriented Projects Across the Middle East4:38 Comparing Futurescapes and Broadening the Academic Framework7:31 Imagining Different Outcomes: A Collective Task9:19 Futurisms: An Intellectual History of Future-Oriented Projects11:13 Contextualizing the Present and Artistic Currents12:31 Is Futurism Decidedly Optimistic?14:02 The Interconnectedness of Future and Past15:16 The Role of Language and Performance17:46 Imagining a Future Tolerant of Darkness20:00 Creating Space for Conversation, Not Just Conclusions21:11 Bringing Diverse Disciplines Together24:06 Gulf Futurism and Connecting Students26:19 Diverse Panels: From Graphic Novels to Environmental Law27:11 The Ancient Theater Tradition of Kutiyattam: Emperor Ashoka's Transformation29:40 The Radical Possibility of Performance and Nonviolence31:09 The Gulf, South Asia, and the Indian Ocean: A Unique Focus32:55 Rethinking Historical Space and Eurocentrism34:06 Prioritizing Local Perspectives and Interdisciplinarity36:46 Soviet Visions of the Arab World38:49 Development Schemes and Shifting Conversations39:56 The Academy's Value of Storytelling and Artists42:01 Breaking Down Formalized Barriers43:10 Rethinking Systems and Collective Support43:54 Fostering Interdisciplinary Collaboration44:50 Academic Conferences as Art Projects46:08 Untapped Topics and Intergenerational Knowledge48:58 Collective Power vs. National Identity52:42 Workshop Dates and Further Information Masha Kirasirova is a historian of exchanges between the Soviet Eurasia and the Middle East. Her work approaches modern Middle Eastern history from a “Second World” perspective. It brings together several hitherto separate scholarly domains: Soviet nationalities policy with regard to the USSR’s Muslim populations; social and cultural history of Stalinism in shaping the experience of Arab communists in the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s; cultural exchange with Arab leftist intellectuals during the Cold War; and the impacts of these exchanges on artistic, bureaucratic, and political practices inside the USSR and on those exported to Syria, Lebanon, Israel/Palestine, and Egypt. Tishani Doshi FRSL is an Indian poet, journalist and dancer based in Chennai. In 2006 she won the Forward Prize for Best First Collection due to Countries of the Body. Her poetry book "A God at the Door" was later shortlisted for the 2021 Forward Prize for Best Collection. She is widely acclaimed as a creative writer; her first book of poetry, Countries of the Body (2006), won a Forward Prize for Best First Collection. Connect with Tishani Doshi 👉 https://instagram.com/tishanidoshi Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Sculpting Public Art | Najla El Zein

  Award-winning sculptor and artist Najla El Zein is most recently known for her work on a public commission by Qatar Museums for Doha's cultural district — a work titled "Us, her, him". She joins us to talk about her creative process, the evolution of her work, and the profound impact of personal experiences on her art. Based between Beirut and Amsterdam, Najla's work explores the relationship between space, object, and the human body, often challenging conventional perceptions of sculpture. She delves into the emotional depth behind her most significant projects, including her iconic spoons sculpture, the "Distortion" series, as well as her monumental public commission in Qatar, reflecting on themes of motherhood, female identity, and collective creation amidst challenging times. 0:00 Introduction1:21 The Artist's Studio and Creative Process2:46 From Childhood Curiosity to Sculptural Expression5:36 Embracing the Unromantic Side of Sculpture7:45 The Spoons Sculptures: A Defining Project8:42 Moving to Beirut and Accessing Craftsmanship10:18 Process and Meaning Behind the Spoons Sculture11:39 Capturing Movement and Life in Static Forms12:57 The Significance of Process and Durability14:10 "Distortion" Series: Motherhood and Identity18:50 "Fragmented Pillar": Fragility and Strength21:28 "Seduction" Series: The Journey of Connection23:17 A Deepening Relationship With Stone25:06 "Group of Five": Dynamics and Discovery27:49 The Qatar Museums Project: A Public Commission Amidst Crisis30:58 The Vision for Qatar's Cultural District34:12 Craftsmanship and the Human Element in Public Art37:16 The Collaborative Process: From Lebanon to Qatar40:34 Influences: Saloua Raouda Choucair, Noguchi, and Hockney Najla El Zein's work embodies an intuitive approach to art and design, where narrative, craft, and materiality are central to her creative process. Each piece offers a personal yet universal language that evokes curiosity and emotion. Born in Beirut in 1983, she is a Lebanese-French artist and designer based in Amsterdam. She graduated from the École Camondo in Paris with a degree in Product Design and Interior Architecture, Spatial Design. In 2024, she received the Dia Al-Azzawi Prize for Public Art for her monumental installation "Us, Her, Him" in Doha, Qatar. In 2025, she was honored as one of the AD100 most important influential figures in art and design. Her works are part of prestigious collections, including Dallas Museum of Art, Saint Louis Art Museum, Qatar Museums, and the Victoria & Albert Museum.Connect with Najla El Zein 👉 https://instagram.com/najlaelzein Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Pressure Cooker: National Pavilion UAE at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale | Azza Aboualam

  We delve into the UAE National Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Biennale, titled "Pressure Cooker" with curator Azza Aboualam. An assistant professor at the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University Dubai and co-founder of Holesum Studio, Aboualam explains how architecture can be a cornerstone for achieving food security, particularly in challenging climates like UAE's and the broader Gulf region. Inspired by a simple question from her mother about the origin of blueberries in the UAE, Aboualam's work explored the intersection of architectural design and food production, focusing on innovative greenhouse typologies. The "Pressure Cooker" exhibition showcases how traditional and high-tech architectural elements can be reconfigured to prolong growing seasons and expand food production within the UAE. We unpack the complexities of food security as a national priority, the economic and environmental costs of imported food, and the surprising prevalence of individual-led greenhouse projects in the UAE. We also touch upon the fascinating historical context of food in the UAE, the impact of population growth on food systems, and a unique architectural cookbook attached to the project, which frames the conversation around food and built environments. 0:00:00 The UAE's Vision For Food Security0:02:40 "Pressure Cooker": Architecture and Food Flow0:03:33 The Blueberry Revelation: Origin of the Idea0:04:38 Why Food Security Is an Architectural Problem in the UAE0:05:48 The Urgency of Food Security In The UAE0:07:08 Global Warming and Food Production Challenges0:08:08 Inside The "Pressure Cooker" UAE Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 20250:10:41 A Call to Action and Moment of Reflection0:11:55 The True Cost of Food0:12:21 Greenhouses: a Common Practice in the UAE0:14:16 The "Kit-of-Parts" Innovation0:14:42 The Adaptable Greenhouse System0:16:07 Food Production in Apartment Living0:16:44 Sparking Broader Conversations0:17:30 Individual vs. Urban Scale Food Production0:19:08 Who Is Doing Food Security Well?0:20:32 Food Infrastructure in the UAE0:21:56 Regional Knowledge Sharing0:23:02 Local Food Production and Sufficiency0:23:53 Oil Revenue's Impact on Food Security0:25:01 Pressure Cooker Recipes: An Architectural Cookbook0:26:44 Engaging With Local Farmers0:28:18 Pathway to Food Independence0:29:03 Defining Food Independence0:30:54 Supermarkets: a Changing Landscape0:32:08 Historical Food Production in the UAE0:33:11 Migration and Food Systems0:35:00 Resources for Learning About Food Security0:36:51 The Problem of Food Waste0:39:17 Packaging Waste in the F&B IndustryUpcoming event 👉 https://publicprograms.nyuad.nyu.edu/en/the-institute/events/2025/october/pressure-cooker-curated-by-azza-aboualam.htmlAzza Aboualam is an Emirati architect and curator of the National Pavilion UAE for the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2025. She is an Assistant Professor at the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University in Dubai and a co-founder and Director of Research at Holesum Studio, an interdisciplinary architecture and design practice based between New York, USA, and Sharjah, UAE. She co-founded the studio in 2021 a few years after graduating from the Yale School of Architecture. She worked with the UAE Ministry of Culture’s Architecture Initiative, and her field research, sketches, and writing were published in the book "In Search of Spaces of Coexistence: An Architect’s Journey" (2019), edited by Dr. Alamira Reem Al Hashimi and Adina Hempel. While working in Sharjah’s Department of Public Works, Aboualam managed the design and construction of large-scale projects such as the Aga Khan Award–winning Wasit Wetland Center.Connect with Azza Aboualam 👉 https://instagram.com/azza.aboualam Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• History of Carpets | Mohamed Maktabi

  We visit Maktabi's flagship store in Beirut to unravel the rich history and intricate artistry of carpets. A third-generation carpet dealer from the renowned family behind Iwan Maktabi, Mohamed Maktabi delves into everything from the first carpet every discovered, the ancient origins of carpet weaving and the unique characteristics of tribal versus city carpets, to the esteemed legacy of Persian rugs and the evolving nature of the carpet dealing business. Maktabi shares personal family anecdotes, discusses the cultural significance embedded in some woven masterpieces, and offers insights into caring for these cherished objects. Whether you're a long-time admirer or new to the world of carpets, this conversation offers a deep appreciation for an art form that has captivated humanity for millennia. Maktabi also gives us his carpet wishlist from around the world. 0:00 Introduction0:22 The Oldest Carpet and Persian Heritage0:46 Tribal vs. City Carpets: Craft and Purpose0:50 The Evolution of Carpet Dealing: From Bazaar to Flagship1:08 Mohamed Maktabi's Role and Family Legacy3:31 The Craft of Hand-Knotted Carpets4:57 Tribal Weaving: A Woman's Art9:01 The Unparalleled Quality of Persian Carpets15:15 The Rise of Carpets in Every Household17:40 The Golden Age of Classical Carpets19:24 The Shifting Landscape of Carpet Dealing20:30 Contemporary Creations and Embedded Stories21:20 Mass-Produced vs. Hand-Knotted Carpets24:26 A Tour of Curated Antique Pieces25:06 Shahabs Suzani: A Needlework Diary from Central Asia28:32 The Paisley Design in Khorasan Carpets29:55 Isfahan Quran Cover Design: A Family Heirloom33:37 The Enduring Value and Care of Carpets35:11 Japan's Appreciation for Persian Carpets35:48 The Future of Classical Carpet Making36:38 Mohamed's Dream Carpet Collection38:32 The Legendary Ardabil Carpet40:33 Proper Carpet Care and Maintenance Mohamed Maktabi is a third-generation carpet dealer and a scion (and now CEO) of the Iwan Maktabi family, an institution in the carpet business established in Beirut in 1926. His grandfather immigrated from Isfahan to Beirut, with his father, Abbas Maktabi, continuing the family tradition. Mohamed, alongside two of his five sisters, joined the family business, which his father initially envisioned as a small gallery for esoteric textiles and unique tribal pieces. Mohamed is known for his deep knowledge of carpet history, from ancient origins to contemporary creations, and his appreciation for the cultural and artistic significance embedded in each piece. He maintains a focus on both traditional and modern designs, ensuring the legacy of hand-knotted carpets endures.Connect with Mohamed Maktabi 👉 https://instagram.com/mo_maktabi Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Dust That Never Settles: Literary Afterlives of the Iran-Iraq War | Amir Moosavi

  Amir Moosavi discusses the profound impact of the Iran-Iraq War – the longest two-state war of the 20th century – on the literature of both nations. Through his book "Dust That Never Settles: Literary Afterlives of the Iran-Iraq War," he explores in this conversation the official state-sanctioned narratives that emerged during and after the war, comparing them with the more nuanced, critical, and often experimental literary responses from writers in Iraq and Iran, including those in the diaspora. The conversation also highlights how these diverse literary works grapple with the war's legacy, from its human and environmental costs to its enduring presence in collective memory. 0:00 The Enduring Legacy of the Iran-Iraq War1:03 Introducing Amir Moosavi's Book3:39 A Historical Primer on the Iran-Iraq War7:16 Shifting Narratives: Qadisiyyat Saddam and Operation Karbala11:49 Bridging Arabic and Persian Literary Worlds15:51 Understanding State Literature and Propaganda20:11 Examples of State Literature and Narrative Shifts29:36 Post-War Writers: Challenging Official Narratives35:26 Warfront Depictions and the Quest for Truth38:31 Artistic Communities and Collective Memory40:41 The Meaning Behind "Dust That Never Settles"43:18 Ecological Damage in War Literature48:22 Misconceptions and Nuances in War Literature50:39 Diaspora Authors and Freedom of Expression Amir Moosavi is an assistant Professor in the Department of English at Rutgers University- Newark. He started teaching at Rutgers-Newark in the fall of 2018, following a year-long EUME postdoc funded by the Volkswagenstiftung and Mellon Foundation in Berlin (2016-17) and a visiting assistant professorship in modern Iranian studies at Brown University (2017-18). His research and teaching interests cover modern Arabic and Persian literatures and the cultural history of the Middle East, with an emphasis on Iran, Iraq, and the Levant. At RU-N, he teaches courses on Arabic and Persian fiction and film, world literature, translation studies, and war culture. He is particularly interested in how cultural production deals with violent pasts, wars, notions of transitional justice, representations of urban space, and the climate crisis. He has written a book manuscript titled "Dust That Never Settles: Literary Afterlives of the Iran-Iraq War."Connect with Amir Moosavi 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amir-moosavi-1b348224 Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gbFOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-afikra-podcast/id1529437743» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nafoF1Zs7F48mGZjlhrze» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014643869THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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