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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
Contemporary Art
Ottoman Empire
Islam
Islamic Arts Biennale
Middle East
Storytelling
Colonialism
Soul DXB

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes485Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsEducation

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Latest Episodes

Egyptian print media has historically functioned as a cultural barometer, shifting from the early official bulletins of the 20th century into a relentless and aggressive form of capitalism on steroids. Professor Bahia Shehab discusses her book, "A Tr... more

YouTube

Palestinian architect and artist Dima Srouji explores the systematic displacement of Palestinian material culture and the liberation lab working to bring it home. For over a century, archaeology in Palestine has been weaponized, used as a tool for la... more

YouTube

Rare artifacts within the vast archives of the Library of Congress (LOC) represent a shift in how our region's history is fundamentally understood. Moving beyond traditional nationalist timelines, Arab World specialist in the African and Middle East ... more

YouTube

Beyond the Orientalist myth of being seductive, mysterious, and dangerous, what is the reality of Tangier? Professor of anthropology Majid Hannoum deconstructs the invention of the Maghreb and delves into the complex socioeconomic and racial fabric o... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Muhannad Salhi
Air World Specialist in the Near East section at the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
Episode: The Weirdest Items in the Library of Congress | Muhannad Salhi
Majid Hannoum
Professor of Anthropology at the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
Episode: Invention of the Maghreb: Beyond the Native Colonial Gaze | Majid Hannoum
Clare Davies
Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Episode: Modern Egyptian Art & Post-Colonial Cultural Politics | Clare Davies
Ali Abdullatif Ahmida
Professor at the University of New England in Maine; author of Genocide in Libya, Shar: and A Hidden Colonial History
University of New England
Episode: Shar & the Forgotten Genocide of Libya | Ali Abdullatif Ahmida
Kenza Fourati
Model and entrepreneur behind Osay, Our Stories Are Yours
Osay (Our Stories Are Yours)
Episode: A Love Letter to Tunisian Artisans | Kenza Fourati
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

Host

Mikey Muhanna
Host of The Afikra Podcast

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 333 ratings
  • Insightful and so interesting

    Super interesting topics with very knowledgeable (and credible) guests and great questions from the host. I love this podcast, I learn a ton each time I listen. Thank you for your work on this.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SuraAR
    Canada20 days ago
  • Hands down the podcast for any art and culture nerd

    Always interesting. Always quality.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bonooooooooooo
    United States6 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 States6 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.

The show is a go-to for art and culture nerds seeking deeper context and fresh perspectives.
Guests from the Arab world are highlighted and inform rich, informative conversations.
Listeners praise the host's thoughtful questioning and the credibility of guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#116
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#250
Germany/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#54
Finland/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#72
Switzerland/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#112
United Arab Emirates/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#214
Indonesia/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Weirdest Items in the Library of Congress | Muhannad Salhi
Q: How do you acquire Arabic materials for the collection?
Materials are acquired through six overseas offices that engage with local book dealers and attend regional book festivals; the Cairo office handles Arabic acquisitions from the Near East.
The Weirdest Items in the Library of Congress | Muhannad Salhi
Q: What is the purpose of the Library of Congress in your view?
The Library serves to assist research and provide resources for Congress, acting as a comprehensive, non-lending repository that supports decision-making and public knowledge, with a broader mission of capturing diverse global cultures.
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.

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?

The show hosts in-depth conversations with scholars, artists, curators, and practitioners who explore histories, cultures, and contemporary issues in the Arab world. Episodes frequently center on archives, decolonization, modern art and design, heritage conservation, and the social dynamics shaping North Africa, the Levant, and the Gulf. Listeners can expect rigorous expert perspectives, first-hand field insights, and thoughtful reflections on representation, memory, and cultural production across time. A standout trait is the willingness to tackle underrepresented or overlooked topics—ranging from forgotten genocides and domicide to innovative fashion and digital storytelling—through accessible dialogue and vivid anecdotes. For potential l... more

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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. New Books in Critical Theory
3. The East is a Podcast
4. Geopolitical Economy Report
5. Jacobin Radio

How many episodes of The afikra Podcast are there?

The afikra Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 485 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The afikra Podcast?

Recent guests on The afikra Podcast include:

1. Muhannad Salhi
2. Majid Hannoum
3. Clare Davies
4. Ali Abdullatif Ahmida
5. Kenza Fourati
6. Ammar Azzouz
7. Aidan Dodson
8. Najla Said

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