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Artwork for The afikra Podcast

The afikra Podcast

afikra
Islam
Islamic Art
Colonialism
Al-Andalus
Art
Cultural Heritage
Cultural Exchange
Music
Art History
Sufism
Paper Technology
Palestinian Identity
Sharia Law
North African Culture
Islamophobia
Modernity
Contemporary Art
Theater
Decolonization
Architecture

The afikra Podcast is our flagship series featuring experts from academia, art, media, urban planning and beyond, who are helping document and shape the histories and cultures of the Arab world through their ‎work. Our hope is that by having the guest share their expertise and story, the community walks away with a new‎found curiosity, and recommendations about new nerdy rabbit holes to dive into ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes462Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsEducation

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Artwork for The afikra Podcast

Latest Episodes

We delve into the evolving landscape of filmmaking in the region, the importance of authentic, locally rooted narratives, and the critical role of institutions like the Doha Film Institute in fostering emerging talent. Award-winning filmmaker and ass... more

YouTube

"The Future Is Not a Grave" is a three-day workshop happening next week at NYUAD which explores futurisms and futurescapes across the MENA, Gulf, and Indian Ocean regions. In this collaborative episode with NYU Abu Dhabi Institute, conveners Tishani ... more

Award-winning sculptor and artist Najla El Zein is most recently known for her work on a public commission by Qatar Museums for Doha's cultural district — a work titled "Us, her, him". She joins us to talk about her creative process, the evolution of... more

We delve into the UAE National Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Biennale, titled "Pressure Cooker" with curator Azza Aboualam. An assistant professor at the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University Dubai and co-founder of Holesum Studi... more

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Recent Guests

Mohamed Maktabi
Part of the third generation of the Maktabi family running the carpet business
Iwan Maktabi
Episode: History of Carpets | Mohamed Maktabi
Logan Cochrane
Professor of Public Policy at HBKU in Qatar and author of Sustainable Qatar
HBKU
Episode: Sustainability in Qatar & the GCC: Environmental Challenges & Opportunities
Reema al-Hababi
Graduate of HBKU, co-editor of the Sustainable Qatar book
HBKU
Episode: Sustainability in Qatar & the GCC: Environmental Challenges & Opportunities
Dr. Mohammed Hashas
Assistant Professor at the University of Rome, editor of the book Contemporary Moroccan Thought.
University of Rome
Episode: Contemporary Moroccan Thought | Mohammed Hashas
Nasser Rabbat
Aga Khan Professor and Director of the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at MIT
MIT
Episode: Director of Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at MIT Nasser Rabbat on Al-Maqrizi
Neha Vora
Professor of Anthropology at the American University of Sharjah.
American University of Sharjah
Episode: Dubai's South Asian Communities | Neha Vora
Mazen Kerbaj
An artist, musician, and creative figure connected to the creative scene in Beirut.
Episode: Mazen Kerbaj | Gaza in my Phone
Nathaniel Mathews
Associate professor in Africana Studies at Binghamton University
Binghamton University
Episode: Nathaniel Mathews | Zanzibar & Oman's Common History & Identities
Dr. Rana AlMutawa
Assistant Professor of Social Research and Public Policy
New York University Abu Dhabi
Episode: Rana AlMutawa | Unveiling Dubai's Complex Social Fabric

Host

Mikey Muhanna
Host of a series that engages experts from various fields to discuss Arab histories and cultures, sharing their experiences and insights to foster community curiosity.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 297 ratings
  • Very informative

    Love the conversations with experts from the Arab world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Obnossious
    United States5 years ago
  • The perfect listen!

    Super informative and unique stories from around the Arab world!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mahakamel
    United States5 years ago
  • Thank you Afikra team

    I feel like one of my dreams come true, I can finally listen to Afikra talks while walking or traveling. Thank you for turning the talks into podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Arwa AF
    United Kingdom5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the discussions for their informative and thought-provoking nature, often highlighting the unique stories shared by experts from the Arab world.
There is a common appreciation for the depth and diversity of topics, indicating that many find the content to be enriching and educational.
Feedback often points to a sense of connection and community fostered through the conversations, suggesting that the audience feels engaged on a personal level.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#65
United Arab Emirates/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#104
Indonesia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#163
South Korea/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#214
Saudi Arabia/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sculpting Public Art | Najla El Zein
Q: Can you just talk through, going from working with Spoons to a project like Distortion?
Najla explains that her project 'Distortion' represents a personal processing of her experiences as a mother and the changes in her identity, contrasting with her earlier works.
Sculpting Public Art | Najla El Zein
Q: What kind of kid becomes a professional sculptor?
Najla reflects on her upbringing in a strong Lebanese family and how her experiences shaped her artistic practice, revealing sensitivity to her surroundings and inspiration from her mother's love for art.
History of Carpets | Mohamed Maktabi
Q: What historical point did carpets become a part of every household?
The second half of the 19th century marked significant exposure of carpets at world expos, fueling demand globally.
History of Carpets | Mohamed Maktabi
Q: What is the significance of the Persian carpet compared to others?
Persian carpets are often seen as superior due to their rich aesthetic detail, cultural embedding, and the refinement that comes from centuries of craftsmanship.
History of Carpets | Mohamed Maktabi
Q: How is a carpet like that seen behind us? How is it made?
The process involves hand-weaving where a tribal woman creates a carpet using wool she processes herself, dyeing it with natural colors, and weaving it on a loom she builds.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The afikra Podcast

What is The afikra Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content centers around diverse themes related to the Arab world's history, culture, and contemporary issues by featuring experts from fields such as academia, art, media, and urban planning. Noteworthy discussions include the intricate relationships between identity, culture, representation, and historical narratives, particularly addressing the complexities of marginalized perspectives in the region. The show likely aims to inspire curiosity within the community by providing insights from professionals who bring their personal stories and extensive knowledge to the conversations, ultimately encouraging listeners to explore new areas of interest further.

Where can I find podcast stats for The afikra Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The afikra Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The afikra Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The afikra Podcast get?

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What are the audience demographics for The afikra Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does The afikra Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The afikra Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The afikra Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The afikra Podcast:

1. Makdisi Street
2. The Dig
3. Guerrilla History
4. Jacobin Radio
5. The Take

How many episodes of The afikra Podcast are there?

The afikra Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 462 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The afikra Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The afikra Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The afikra Podcast?

Recent guests on The afikra Podcast include:

1. Mohamed Maktabi
2. Logan Cochrane
3. Reema al-Hababi
4. Dr. Mohammed Hashas
5. Nasser Rabbat
6. Neha Vora
7. Mazen Kerbaj
8. Nathaniel Mathews

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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