Poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s “Dasht-e-Tanhai”—A Desert Soundscape
Multimedia artist Mara Ahmed translates and reads Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s Urdu classic, composed while in prison.
Libyan Stories from the novel “Bread on Uncle Milad’s Table”
The Markaz Review presents Libya’s Mohammed al-Naas in these exclusive excerpts translated by Rana Asfour.
Libya’s Censored Novelist, Mohammed al-Naas, Revealed
Ghazi Gheblawi talks to young Libyan novelist Mohammed al-Naas, presently working out of Tunisia.
Tunisia’s Imed Alibi Crosses Borders in new “Frigya” Electronica Album
Melissa Chemam in her latest music column interviews Tunisian electro-world creator Imed Alibi.
Abundant Middle Eastern Talent at the ’22 Avignon Theatre Fest
Nada Ghosn revels in the artistry of Palestinian, Iranian, Lebanese, Afghan and other playwrights and performers in Avignon this year.
Fiction, Profile, Weekly
Mohammed al-Naas—a Young Libyan Novelist to Watch
Ghazi Gheblawi In 2017 Darf Publishers, an independent publishing company based in London, where I am a senior editor,
Editorial: Is the World Driving Us Mad?
The world may be driving us crazy, but sharing our stories across cultures and borders is one way to hang on to our sanity.
Big Laleh, Little Laleh—memoir by Shokouh Moghimi
Who knows what drives anyone mad? For a sister who loves her big sister and emulates her, the mystery will perhaps never be resolved.
“The Devil’s Waiting List”—a story by Ahmed Salah Al-Mahdi
A solitary bachelor, seeking success as a writer, wonders what he has to do in contemporary Cairo to get ahead.
Where to Now, Ya Asfoura?—a story by Sarah AlKahly-Mills
You can run from grief and death until you lose your mind, but life is reserved for those who fight for it.
Poetry as a Form of Madness—Review of a Friendship
Youssef Rahka introduces us to his Egyptian friend Maged Zaher and his seventh volume of poetry, composed in English.
American Theocracy and Failed States
Ani Zonneveld, leader of a progressive Muslim organization, argues that the United States is sliding perilously toward theocracy.