Leaving One’s Country in Mai Al-Nakib’s “An Unlasting Home”
Rana Asfour reviews Mai Al-Nakib's debut novel, in which the protagonist always thought she would leave her country.
The Imagination Interviews
Why I left Lebanon and Became a Transitional Citizen
More Lebanese live abroad than at home, and the exodus continues. Some have the option to leave, others cannot.
Traps and Shadows in Noor Naga’s Egypt Novel
Ahmed Naji reviews "If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English" just out from Graywolf.
Roxana Vilk’s Personal History of Iranian Music
In this month's music column, Melissa Chemam talks to a British national with an Iranian heart and musical heritage.
A Poet and Librarian Catalogs Life in Gaza
Eman Quotah reviews "Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear: Poems from Gaza" — the debut poetry collection of Mosab Abu Toha.
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.
“Asha and Haaji”—a story by Hanif Kureishi
The author of the story collection "Love in a Blue Time" weaves a dystopian tale of migrants, love and literature.
Featured Artist: Steve Sabella, Beyond Palestine
The artist and writer from Palestine has a universal vision to bring people together across boundaries and borders.
Mai Al-Nakib: “Naaseha’s Counsel”
The author of the novel "An Unlasting Home" recalls stories of African slaves in Iraq and Kuwait.
“Godshow.com”—a short story by Ahmed Naji
The Egyptian novelist and author of "Rotten Evidence: Reading and Writing in Prison" finds versions of Islam in the Nevada desert.
Joumana Haddad: “Victim #232”
A preview of the new Arabic novel from the author of "I Killed Scheherazade" and "Superman is an Arab."
Rabih Alameddine: “Remembering Nasser”
Winner of the 2022 PEN/Faulkner award, novelist Rabih Alameddine tells an essential story from his Beirut childhood.
Sulafa Zidani: “Three Buses and the Rhythm of Remembering”
Riding the bus down memory lane, a Palestinian American scholar of digital culture at MIT recalls her time in Jerusalem and Haifa.
Saeed Taji Farouky: “Strange Cities Are Familiar”
The filmmaker behind "Tell Spring Not to Come This Year" and "A Thousand Fires" journeys with Mohammad Bakri to find home.
Nektaria Anastasiadou: “Gold in Taksim Square”
The novelist behind "A Recipe for Daphne" returns to multicultural Istanbul to write about love and death amongst the city's minorities.