{"id":38031,"date":"2025-07-22T11:09:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T09:09:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themarkaz.org\/oldmarkaz\/?page_id=38031"},"modified":"2025-09-15T11:25:59","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T09:25:59","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/themarkaz.org\/oldmarkaz\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"

Established in 2020, The Markaz Review (TMR) is a non-profit literary publication and platform that amplifies voices from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (SWANA). <\/span>The name \u201cMarkaz\u201d, meaning \u201cthe center\u201d in Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Urdu, underscores the cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity of the region that is often overlooked and silenced on the world stage.\u00a0 We assert that our voices are critical components in the global production of literature, commentary and cultural critique. In a world increasingly fragmented by all forms of racism and discrimination, TMR\u2019s mission is to promote a critical culture which centers human rights and freedom of expression.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2020, <\/span>The New York Times<\/span><\/a> published a report that showed that the vast majority of the literature published in the United States since 1950 has been by white writers: \u201cOf the 7,124 books for which we identified the author\u2019s race,\u201d the authors wrote, \u201c95 percent were written by white people.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We publish essays, fiction, editorials, poetry, book and art reviews, memoirs and translations from emerging and established writers in the region and our communities in diaspora. We publish in English with translations available in Arabic, Spanish and French.\u00a0 A dedicated Bil Arabi section celebrates the Arabic language.\u00a0 Our Editorial Team headed by Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Jordan Elgrably, curates content around critical themes such as:\u00a0 \u201cFreedom to Read\u201d, \u201cLove, War, Resistance\u201d, \u201cForgetting\u201d,\u201dMental Health\u201d and \u201cPublic Intellectual\u201d to name just a few.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As these regions continue to endure tragic conflicts and outcomes, the need for artistic expression has never been more urgent.\u00a0 We invite you to join us in supporting the arts, literature and freedom of expression.\u00a0 We\u00a0 publish TMR Weekly and a monthly themed edition. We host monthly virtual roundtable discussions, produce podcasts and curate books and anthologies.<\/span> To commemorate and celebrate our 5 year anniversary, we will publish a \u201cBest of\u201d print edition.\u00a0 This will become a yearly tradition. The Markaz Review is a creative and literary destination that seeks to erase boundaries between people, challenge long-held stereotypes and honor ourselves, our cultures and our futures. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Established in 2020, The Markaz Review (TMR) is a non-profit literary publication and platform that amplifies voices from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (SWANA). 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