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The afikra Podcast

afikra
Education
Cultural Identity
Saudi Arabia
Islamic Art
Palestine
Iran-Iraq War
Beirut
Dubai
Lebanon
New Media Art
Iraq
Art
Ottoman Empire
Contemporary Art
Islamic Arts Biennale
Islam
Middle East
Storytelling
Colonialism
Eyeliner

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes479Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsEducation

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Artwork for The afikra Podcast

Latest Episodes

Model and entrepreneur Kenza Fourati discusses her origins, growing up 1990s in Tunisia to becoming a trailblazing figure in the international fashion industry. She reflects on how she initially viewed beauty through a French lens and the subsequent ... more

YouTube

The concept of domicide and its profound impact on Homs, Syria, is explored through the work and personal experiences of architect Ammar Azzouz. A research fellow at the University of Oxford, Dr. Azzouz discusses the deliberate destruction of homes, ... more

YouTube

What made Egypt the longest-surviving country in the world? Aidan Dodson is a professor and author of over 30 books and helps us explore fundamental shifts in our understanding of ancient Egypt. The discussion spans the civilization's long run, from ... more

YouTube

As the daughter of the renowned intellectual Edward Said, Najla Said discusses the unique pressures of navigating her family's legacy while forging her own creative voice in the shadow of his immense influence. The conversation explores her journey f... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ammar Azzouz
Dr. Ammar Azzouz, research fellow at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
Episode: Domicide in Homs & Beyond | Architect Ammar Azzouz
Aidan Dodson
Professor at the University of Bristol, Egyptologist, author
University of Bristol
Episode: The Secrets of Ancient Egypt: Dynasties, Pyramids & Pharaohs | Egyptologist Aidan Dodson
Najla Said
Actor, author, playwright
Author and public figure in Arab-American literature
Episode: Inheriting a Legacy and a Platform | Najla Said
Paraska Tolan-Szkilnik
Assistant Professor of History at Cornell University, author of Maghreb Noir
Cornell University
Episode: The Maghreb Generation: Militant Artists & Pan-African Postcolonial Future | Paraska Tolan-Szkilnik
Sofia Guellaty
Founder of Mille World and Mille Creative, dedicated to representing Arab youth and fashion.
Mille World
Episode: Founder of Mille World Sofia Guellaty | Fashion, Soft Power & the New Arab Identity
Stacy Fahrenthold
Associate Professor of History at the University of California, Davis and author of Unmentionables, Textiles, Garment Work, and the Syrian American Working Class
University of California, Davis
Episode: Textile Workers & the Syrian-American Working Class | Stacy D. Fahrenthold
Julia Elyachar
Professor at Princeton University specializing in anthropology and economics, focusing on debt and its implications in the Arab world.
Princeton University
Episode: Julia Elyachar | On the Semicivilized: Coloniality, Finance & Embodied Sovereignty in Cairo
Hiba Abid
Curator for Middle Eastern and Islamic studies at the New York Public Library
New York Public Library
Episode: Curator Hiba Abid | Niyū Yūrk at the New York Public Library
Mohamed Maktabi
Part of the third generation of the Maktabi family running the carpet business
Iwan Maktabi
Episode: History of Carpets | Mohamed Maktabi

Host

Mikey Muhanna
Host of the series, facilitating discussions on culture and history in the Arab world with various experts.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 323 ratings
  • Hands down the podcast for any art and culture nerd

    Always interesting. Always quality.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bonooooooooooo
    United States5 months ago
  • 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 Kingdom6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many find the content to be transformative, providing new insights and perspectives on identity and history.
Listeners appreciate the engaging and informative conversations that uncover rich cultural narratives from the Arab world.
The diverse range of topics discussed resonates well with those interested in arts and education, highlighting the experts' contributions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#184
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#101
Denmark/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#144
United Arab Emirates/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#202
Saudi Arabia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#217
Switzerland/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#238
Belgium/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Secrets of Ancient Egypt: Dynasties, Pyramids & Pharaohs | Egyptologist Aidan Dodson
Q: Why were the pyramids built and what do they signify?
The pyramids served as monumental, almost magical machines intended to transport and transform the deceased king into a god, reflecting a political-religious program that paired royal funerary architecture with temple complexes and demonstrated the ruler's enduring power and divine status.
The Secrets of Ancient Egypt: Dynasties, Pyramids & Pharaohs | Egyptologist Aidan Dodson
Q: Who was the first pharaoh?
Narmer is widely considered the first king to unify Upper and Lower Egypt, with the Narmer Palette depicting this consolidation and the later tradition naming him as Menes in some accounts, though the titulary and naming conventions evolved over time.
The Secrets of Ancient Egypt: Dynasties, Pyramids & Pharaohs | Egyptologist Aidan Dodson
Q: When did Ancient Egypt begin?
Ancient Egypt is generally viewed as beginning with the consolidation of the southern and northern regions around 3000 BCE, forming a single political entity that later expanded its influence and cultural identity across the Nile valley, with the unification often commemorated by artifacts like the Narmer Palette.
Domicide in Homs & Beyond | Architect Ammar Azzouz
Q: How has the local community in Homs responded to reconstruction plans?
There has been persistent resistance to top-down projects, with protests in 2025 and a push for grassroots, trauma-informed approaches that prioritize residents' memory and needs.
Domicide in Homs & Beyond | Architect Ammar Azzouz
Q: What does domicide add to our understanding of destruction in war-torn cities?
Domicide highlights the intimate relationship between people and their homes, not just the physical buildings, and frames destruction as a violence against lived life and memory.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The afikra Podcast

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

This podcast offers a rich exploration of the histories and cultures of the Arab world, featuring conversations with leading experts in fields such as academia, art, media, and urban planning. Episodes cover a diverse range of topics, including the importance of cultural identity, innovative practices in education, graphic design, and the impact of historical narratives on contemporary society. Listeners can expect to gain new perspectives and insights into the Arab experience and are encouraged to engage with the recommended resources, creating a delightful space for intellectual curiosity and exploration.

What sets this podcast apart is its commitment to showcasing underrepresented voices and narratives, allowing for a deeper understandi... more

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How many listeners does The afikra Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The afikra Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The afikra Podcast:

1. Makdisi Street
2. The Week in Art
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4. A brush with...
5. The Run-Through with Vogue

How many episodes of The afikra Podcast are there?

The afikra Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 479 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?

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What guests have appeared on The afikra Podcast?

Recent guests on The afikra Podcast include:

1. Ammar Azzouz
2. Aidan Dodson
3. Najla Said
4. Paraska Tolan-Szkilnik
5. Sofia Guellaty
6. Stacy Fahrenthold
7. Julia Elyachar
8. Hiba Abid

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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