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."
Author: Jordan Elgrably
Museums in Exile—MO.CO’s Exhibition 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 you… 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 — 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.
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.
DC Welcomes New Cultural Institute for Yemen with Oct. 25th Concert
A new cultural center in the nation's capital announces its arrival with a concert designed to celebrate Yemeni heritage.
New Book Traces Roots of Saudi-Funded Extremism
The Saudi sect of Wahhabism—an extreme and merely 200-year-old iteration on Islam—exercises a dangerously pervasive influence on imams and believers.
Palestinian Women Were Heart & Soul of the First Intifada
"Naila and the Uprising" introduces us to Palestinian women activists who we come to recognize were the nexus of the first intifada.
A Humanitarian Catastrophe: Understanding the War in Yemen
Why is it that Americans know so little about Yemen, why has the country seemed so off the radar to us?
Fleeing oppression, Yemen—born Tasleem Mulhall Finds Herself in Art & Feminism
Yemen is where London-based artist and activist Tasleem Mulhall spent the first 15 years of her life and her roots remain firmly planted there. As she avows, “The culture and… Continue reading Fleeing oppression, Yemen—born Tasleem Mulhall Finds Herself in Art & Feminism
In a Suspicious World, Creative Arabs, Iranians Having a Banner Year
Arabs/Muslims and Iranians have become the scapegoats and villains du jour, yet many are thriving creatively.
Tough Love for Morocco
Jordan Elgrably interviews director Nabil Ayouch and star Maryam Touzani on their new movie, "Razzia."
Why Non-Arabs Should Read Hisham Matar’s “The Return”
Jordan Elgrably finds that the family memoir of a Libyan American is one that we can all identity with.
From L.A. to Baghdad: American Artists Remember Al-Mutanabbi Street
Lauren Marcus On Sunday, March 5th, we filed quietly into Chevalier‘s in Los Angeles, the book lover’s emporium founded in 1940 that occupies a modest storefront on Larchmont Boulevard. On the… Continue reading From L.A. to Baghdad: American Artists Remember Al-Mutanabbi Street
Muslim American Artists, Activists Cope with Trump’s Dystopian Reality
Following the travel ban, a constitutional confrontation between federal judges and the White House continues while Muslims regroup. The Markaz talks to key figures across the country. AN ABBREVIATED VERSION… Continue reading Muslim American Artists, Activists Cope with Trump’s Dystopian Reality
On Power, Palestine and Standing Rock
Jordan Elgrably Everywhere we look, we see epic struggles between the people and the powerful—battles for freedom and justice on one side versus domination and exploitation on the other. We… Continue reading On Power, Palestine and Standing Rock
The Tunisian Woman Who Wouldn’t Stop Speaking Her Mind
Medusa TN is the kind of Tunisian who has a lot on her mind, and doesn't mind sharing it with the world, wherever, whenever.
“Honky” Raises the Spectre of Racism in Us All
Jordan Elgrably America has never been more heartbreaking than when it is at war with itself, divided down lines of color, of so-called “race”—the illusion that color or ethnicity really… Continue reading “Honky” Raises the Spectre of Racism in Us All
Tamim Ansary’s Afghan-American Story
The story of an Afghan who became an American in the age of Haight-Ashbury.