Rana Asfour

is the Executive Editor at The Markaz Review, as well as a freelance writer, book critic, and translator. Her work has appeared in such publications as Madame Magazine, The Guardian UK, and The National/UAE. She chairs TMR’s English-language Book Club, which meets online the last Sunday of every month. She can be found on X & Instagram @bookfabulous.

“Twelve Angels”—fiction from Ahmed Salah Al-Mahdi

“Twelve Angels”—fiction from Ahmed Salah Al-Mahdi

In this short story by Egyptian writer Ahmed Salah Al-Mahdi, translated from Arabic, a man contends with his...

3 DECEMBER 2023 • By Ahmed Salah Al-Mahdi, Rana Asfour
Huda Fakhreddine’s A Brief Time Under a Different Sun

Huda Fakhreddine’s A Brief Time Under a Different Sun

Exclusive excerpt from Huda Fahreddine's "A Brief Time Under a Different Sun," translated from the Arabic by Rana...

3 DECEMBER 2023 • By Huda J. Fakhreddine, Rana Asfour
A Jaha in the Metaverse—fiction by Fadi Zaghmout

A Jaha in the Metaverse—fiction by Fadi Zaghmout

A short story by Jordanian writer Fadi Zaghout in which a traditional Jordanian "Jaha" ceremony takes place in...

3 DECEMBER 2023 • By Fadi Zaghmout, Rana Asfour
Sustainability: Rethinking the City in the United Arab Emirates

Sustainability: Rethinking the City in the United Arab Emirates

Rana Asfour on the UAE's intervention solutions for energy-efficient, sustainable buildings rooted in the city.

5 NOVEMBER 2023 • By Rana Asfour
Waking Up To My Distorted City—an Interview with Hisham Bustani & Linda Al Khoury

Waking Up To My Distorted City—an Interview with Hisham Bustani & Linda Al Khoury

Hisham Bustani and Linda Al Khoury talk to TMR about their new bilingual book and the urban distortions...

5 NOVEMBER 2023 • By Rana Asfour
A Day in the Life of a Saturday Market Trawler in Cairo

A Day in the Life of a Saturday Market Trawler in Cairo

Karoline Kamel captures the enchantment of Egypt's flea markets where a nostalgic encounter with a Barbie doll fulfilled...

3 SEPTEMBER 2023 • By Karoline Kamel, Rana Asfour
“The Cactus”—new fiction from Mohammed Al Naas

“The Cactus”—new fiction from Mohammed Al Naas

Can a man who loves a woman prove his mettle by taking proper care of a cactus that...

2 JULY 2023 • By Mohammed Alnaas, Rana Asfour
Fiction: An Excerpt from Fadi Zaghmout’s Hope On Earth

Fiction: An Excerpt from Fadi Zaghmout’s Hope On Earth

In a dystopian world, thanks to AI, people no longer die because they can be upgraded to better...

4 JUNE 2023 • By Fadi Zaghmout, Rana Asfour
Cruising the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Cruising the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

TMR's managing editor, Rana Asfour, checks out one of the world's largest book events looking for literary mana.

29 MAY 2023 • By Rana Asfour
Artist At Work: Maya Youssef Finds Home in the Qanun

Artist At Work: Maya Youssef Finds Home in the Qanun

Rana Asfour talks to Syrian-born and raised qanunist Maya Youssef, who now lives and teaches in the UK.

22 MAY 2023 • By Rana Asfour
Did You Say Doha? (Books to Get You Started On Qatar)

Did You Say Doha? (Books to Get You Started On Qatar)

Our top picks on what to read from Qatar.

2 APRIL 2023 • By Rana Asfour
War and the Absurd in Zein El-Amine’s Watermelon Stories

War and the Absurd in Zein El-Amine’s Watermelon Stories

Rana Asfour reviews a collection of stories from writer and educator Zein El-Amine, who was born and raised...

20 MARCH 2023 • By Rana Asfour
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