Markaz Review editors share news of upcoming talks, film screenings, exhibitions, books, art and more.
3 OCTOBER 2025 • By TMR
Winner of the 2025 Azhar Writing Prize — A foreign correspondent confronts devastation and violence before crossing a line of no return.
26 SEPTEMBER 2025 • By Hussain A. Ayoub
A woman living in the capital of the United States during fascism and genocide nonetheless yearns for a progressive partner.
26 SEPTEMBER 2025 • By Souseh
“Diba’s House” is a fictional retelling of events in Wadi Salib in Palestine and won Second Place in the 2025 Azhar Writing Prize.
26 SEPTEMBER 2025 • By Sara Masry
At Brian Eno’s concert, 150 artists and 12,500 attendees raised funds for Gaza and called for sanctions against Israel.
19 SEPTEMBER 2025 • By TMR
Six years after the Hirak mass protest movement in Algeria in 2019, an atmosphere of fear and silence continues to loom over the country.
19 SEPTEMBER 2025 • By Ilhem Rachidi
TMR's October issue examines the multifaceted nature of friendship — intimate or communal, joyful or bittersweet.
A writer confronts the harsh reality of performative acceptance versus true solidarity as her community's struggles become inconvenient.
3 October 2025 • By Christina Adranly
TMR's editor interviews Jordanian fine artist Lamia Fakhoury on her circuitous journey to devoting herself full-time as a sculptor.
3 October 2025 • By Jordan Elgrably
Christopher Merrill "is one of the most gifted, audacious, and accomplished poets of an extraordinary rich generation."—W. S. Merwin
31 AUGUST 2025 • By Christopher Merrill
Mai Serhan is a Palestinian-Egyptian poet, writer, editor and translator. She is the author of, CAIRO: the undelivered letters and other titles.
31 AUGUST 2025 • By Mai Serhan
After living in London and Beirut, Sara Shamma returned to Damascus, where her hyperrealistic paintings reflect the chaos of today’s world.
5 SEPTEMBER 2025 • By Jordan Elgrably
Lina Mounzer interviews UN Special Rapporteur Michael Fakhri on Gaza, food and famine.
5 SEPTEMBER 2025 • By Lina Mounzer
Fiction
This excerpt from Play the Game by French-Algerian author Fatima Daas explores what it means to grow up queer and Muslim in France.
3 OCTOBER 2025 • By FATIMA DAAS
CENTERPIECE
A writer confronts the harsh reality of performative acceptance versus true solidarity as her community's struggles become inconvenient.
3 OCTOBER 2025 • By CHRISTINA ADRANLY
Fiction
This excerpt from Ahmed El-Fakharani's latest novel questions whether virtual friendships are real or simply a facade masking deep loneliness.
3 OCTOBER 2025 • By AHMED EL FAKHARANY
Essay
The Israeli army’s siege of Tulkarm prompts one writer to bear witness to the brutal consequences of conquest and murder.
3 OCTOBER 2025 • By THOTH
Fiction
Two Lebanese men who knew each other in childhood meet. Before they can become lovers, they must first become friends.
3 OCTOBER 2025 • By YOUSSEF MANESSA
Fiction
Winner of the 2025 Azhar Writing Prize — A foreign correspondent confronts devastation and violence before crossing a line of no return.
26 SEPTEMBER 2025 • By HUSSAIN A. AYOUB
