Football in the Middle East: State, Society, and the Beautiful Game
Justin Olivier Salhani reviews a new anthology on football and the Middle East just as the World Cup kicks off in Qatar.
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Dynamic Acoustic Duo Ÿuma Allies with Tunisia and Derja
In her monthly music column, Melissa Chemam talks to Sabrine Jenhani, half of the indie Tunisian duo Ÿuma.
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.
Viral Depression in Maha Haj’s Mediterranean Fever
Viola Shafik saw the Montpellier CINEMED screening of a new feature in which Haifa Palestinians catch a strange virus.
“Eleazar”—a short story by Karim Kattan
A Palestinian family mysteriously disintegrates while violence permeates the valley in which they reside.
The Chess Moves of Tarik Saleh’s Spy Thriller, Boy From Heaven
Karim Goury revels in the new feature from Swedish Egyptian director Tarik Saleh.
Stadiums, Ghosts & Games—Football’s International Intrigue
Francisco Letelier reminisces on his soccer identities in Chile and the USA, while delving into the international politics of the game.
The Game of Self—How I Wrote The Buddha of Suburbia
Hanif Kureishi reminisces on how he came to write his first novel, a coming-of-age saga set in 1970s London.
An Interview with with Graphic Memoirist Malaka Gharib
Rusha Rafeek interviews graphic memoirist Malaka Gharib about her Arab American coming of age story.
Farewell to a Football Love Affair in Iran
Sara Mokhavat's first passion was for football and the Persepolis team, but being female in Iran put the kibosh on that.
The “Forgotten Team” of Qatar’s World Cup by Mohamed Badarne
Berlin-based Palestinian photographer Mohamed Badarne traveled to Qatar and Nepal to photograph World Cup workers.
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.
Morocco’s Ultras, the State and the Soccer War
Socio-cultural anthropologist Aomar Boum meditates on the rebel football phenomenon of Morocco's ultras.
5 Poems & a Video—Essential Voices: Poetry of Iran and Its Diaspora
Poems from Iranian poets in Iran and diaspora, from a new anthology edited by Christopher Nelson and introduced by Kaveh Bassiri.
Two Poems from Quebec’s Nicole Brossard
Our poetry editor, Sholeh Wolpé, has selected two poems from the new collection from one of Canada's most lauded poets.