The Editor’s Letter Following the US 2024 Presidential Election
The Markaz Review responds to the results of the 2024 US presidential election, in which Donald Trump prevailed over Kamala Harris.
Jordan Elgrably
Aïda Nosrat of Atine: Artist at Work
Jordan Elgrably interviews free-spirited Iranian performer Aïda Nosrat on music, exile, freedom, and a passion for mixing cultures.
Censorship and Cancellation Fail to Camouflage the Ugly Truth
Israel’s war on Gaza and Palestinians in the West Bank has prompted dissent around the world that refuses to be silenced.
Why GATEKEEPERS?
Free speech for the Middle East and North Africa — voices from across the center of the world — is what we fight for.
Soudade Kaadan: Filmmaker Interview
Syrian filmmaker Soudade Kaadan is a jury member of the 81st Venice Film Festival, and the only Arab woman director to have won twice in Venice.
Woe to the Conquered: Selim Temo’s Nightlands
Kurdish poetry abounds but rarely appears in English. Jordan Elgrably reviews a bilingual English-Kurdish edition of Selim Temo's "Nightlands."
Why FORGETTING?
What shall we forget and what shall we remember, and can forgetting also be a force for good? The editors inquire.
Why Paris?
Editor Jordan Elgrably muses on a PARIS issue mostly from the viewpoint of its Arab and Middle Eastern residents.
Undoing Colonial Geographies from Paris with Ariella Aïsha Azoulay
With genocidal violence raging in Gaza and muzzling of pro-Palestinian voices throughout France, Ariella Azoulay's word is now inescapable.
Happy as an Arab in Paris
Wanis El Kabbaj fondly reminisces about his father's elation while in Paris and the profound significance the city held for him.
“The Map of a Genocide Victim”—fiction from Faris Lounis
A few entries on a genocidal map...A walk in the Valley of Death that is the war on Gaza and the reckoning to come.
Why Endings & Beginnings?
An editorial from the editor in chief as we close the end of an often painful, difficult and yet at times hopeful year.
Why We Stay in Beirut, Despite Its Countless Crises
TMR's editor in chief, Jordan Elgrably, asks four Beirutis why they stay, and how they manage, enduring one crisis after another.
The End of Arabic and the Dumbing Down of America
What happens when public universities begin shutting down entire area studies departments, and learning foreign languages becomes a luxury?
“The Afghan and the Persian”—a short story by Jordan Elgrably
An Afghan refugee, survivor of a shipwreck, washes up on the shores of southern France and applies for asylum in Montpellier.
EARTH: Our Only Home
The editors explain why they chose the EARTH theme for the 32nd issue of The Markaz Review.
The Artist at Work—a Conversation with Souad Massi
Jordan Elgrably interviews the Algerian-French iconoclast about her first album after Covid and about why she's devoted her life to freedom.
The Markaz Review Interview—Ayad Akhtar
A Pultizer winner for his play "Disgraced," Ayad Akhtar is the current President of PEN America and author of the novel "Homeland Elegies."
Museums in Exile—MO.CO’s show for Chile, Sarajevo & Palestine
Jordan Elgrably tours the MO.CO exhibition in Montpellier devoted to the people of Chile, Sarajevo and Palestine.
You Resemble Me Deconstructs a Muslim Life That Ends Radically
We saw Dina Amer's debut feature film based on the life of Hasna Ait Boulahcen, yet another victim of Wahhabi/Salafi extremism.
Changing Colors — Reflections on The Last White Man
Jordan Elgrably reads a book about white fear and racism and finds that colorism isn't our only problem.
Free Alaa Now
The Markaz Review joins 15 Nobel Prize for Literature laureates and millions around the world in calling for Alaa Abd El-Fattah's immediate release.
44th CINEMED fest to Fête Simone Bitton & Abdellatif Kéchiche
Montpellier's venerable Mediterranean film festival announces retrospectives and avant-premières.
Why Berlin?
Editor Jordan Elgrably introduces the BERLIN issue guest editor, Viola Shafik, and more than a dozen new contributors to TMR.
Attack on Salman Rushdie is Shocking Tip of the Iceberg
An attack on one writer anywhere is an attack on freedom of expression everywhere.
Who is Poet-Translator Mbarek Sryfi?
Jordan Elgrably paints a portrait of a translingual Moroccan American who champions the inbetween.
World Refugee Day — What We Owe Each Other
World Refugee Day is the first of seven days during which refugees will be recognized in events across the world.
Palestinian Filmmaker, Israeli Passport
Jordan Elgrably talks to Palestinian filmmakers with Israeli citizenship to learn about identity and belonging.
Conversations on Food and Race with Andy Shallal
Washington DC's artist-entrepreneur-philanthropist (and one-time mayoral candidate) Andy Shallal dishes on matters of hunger and racism.
Palestine in Pieces: Hany Abu-Assad’s Huda’s Salon
A new film depicts the treachery of being Palestinian living under the Israeli Occupation Forces in Bethlehem.
“There’s Nothing Worse Than War”
Letter from the Editor: Russia’s Attack on Ukraine seen from European and Middle Eastern Vantage Points
“The Translator” Brings the Syrian Dilemma to the Big Screen
Jordan Elgrably reviews the recent feature film from directors Rana Kazkaz and Anas Khalaf.
Refuge, or the Inherent Dignity of Every Human Being
TMR's editor reflects on the experience of seeking home and refuge.
The Fabulous Omid Djalili on Good Times and the World
British Iranian actor, comedian and podcast host Omid Djalili opens up about comedy, racism and his beauty secrets in this informal interview with TMR's editor.
Recovering/Remembering Love, Sex and Trauma
Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi follows her novels "Fra Keeler" and "Call Me Zebra" with a story set in Andalucia.
Victims of Discrimination Never Forget in The Forgotten Ones
TMR reviews a film on discrimination in Israel and the original Jews of the Middle East and North Africa. The Forgotten Ones screened in October’s annual CINEMED festival in Montpellier and screens in the DOC NYC Fest on 11/09 (press screening), 11/14 and 11/15. More info.
Interview With Prisoner X, Accused by the Bashar Al-Assad Regime of Terrorism
A Syrian refugee successfully resettled in Brussels shares part of his story.
Will Love Triumph in the Midst of Gaza’s 14-Year Siege?
Jordan Elgrably reviews the new film from the Nasser brothers, starring Hiam Abbass and Salim Daw.
Kurdish Poet and Writer Meral Şimşek Merits Her Freedom
Jordan Elgrably Imagine, if you will, being put on trial for publishing poems and stories extolling the values of human rights and equality — or rotting in prison as… Continue reading Kurdish Poet and Writer Meral Şimşek Merits Her Freedom
The Harrowing Life of Kurdish Freedom Activist Kobra Banehi
Excerpted from the anthology Kurdish Women’s Stories (Pluto Press, 2020), by special arrangement with editor Houzan Mahmoud. The Prison Speakers Played Islamic Verses Kobra Banehi Kobra Banehi, also known… Continue reading The Harrowing Life of Kurdish Freedom Activist Kobra Banehi
Remember 18:07 and Light a Flame for Beirut
We remember the devastating blast at the Port of Beirut last August 4th, 2020, and call for justice and restitution for its many victims.
Malak Mattar — Gaza Artist and Survivor
TMR's editor Jordan Elgrably talks to young Malak Mattar in Gaza, who has survived massive state violence and begun a promising career in art.
“Sumud” — the Gazan Secret to Survival
The Palestinians of Gaza continue to survive despite incredible odds, thanks in no small part to their steadfastness or "sumud."
Why “Wasta” When Nepotism & Corruption are Equally Rife in the West?
Our editorial outlines the fact that wasta isn't exclusively an Arab problem, but one that plagues societies east and west.
Why WALLS?
"I would like to break the walls of ignorance between East and West." Walls and barriers are what we erect when we have no words.
Free Speech, Palestinian Stories and the Oscars
In anticipation of Sunday's Oscars, in which another Palestinian film has been nominated, Jordan Elgrably talks to Palestinians and Israelis about their films and activism.
Drought and the War in Syria
Jordan Elgrably explores whether the drought in Syria fueled the country's civil war and what climate change means for our global future.
A Beheading for the Prophet and a Reckoning for France
Jordan Elgrably on rising tensions in France and in the Arab/Muslim world follow Samuel Paty's beheading at the hands of a young Islamic radical who was shot dead by police.
How Are You Feeling? Have the Trump Years Been Good to You?
We asked Arab and Iranian Americans how they view the Trump years and which way folks are voting.