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The afikra Podcast

afikra
Education
Palestine
Cultural Identity
Saudi Arabia
Islamic Art
Iran-Iraq War
Beirut
Dubai
Lebanon
New Media Art
Iraq
Art
Ottoman Empire
Contemporary Art
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes488Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsEducation

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Artwork for The afikra Podcast

Latest Episodes

Theatrical stages often mirror the intricate evolution of the societies that build them. Professor Carmen Gitre explores the burgeoning performance culture of Cairo between 1867 and 1930. This era witnessed a shift from street storytelling and shadow... more

For centuries, the Arab and Muslim worlds led humanity in scientific discovery, establishing a culture where faith served as an inspiration rather than an obstacle to empirical research. The conversation with astrophysicist Dr. Nidhal Guessoum explor... more

YouTube

Modern sports did not just change how people played; they fundamentally rewired how they lived, looked, and identified within a rapidly transforming world. The conversation with Murat Yildiz, an assosciate professor of history at Skidmore College, ex... more

YouTube

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

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Recent Guests

Bahia Shehab
Author, professor, and author of A Trade in Dreams, A Century of Egyptian Print Advertising
The American University in Cairo (book publisher: AUC Press)
Episode: Tobacco, Soap, Beer & Cars: 100 Years of Egyptian Print Advertising | Professor Bahia Shehab
Dima Srouji
Palestinian architect, artist, researcher
Based between Ramallah and London
Episode: Memory & the Systematic Mending of Heritage | Dima Srouji
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

Host

Mikey Muhanna
Host of The Afikra Podcast

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 333 ratings
  • Very interesting

    A very inteResting listen

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    veganman1961
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • 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
    Canadaa month ago
  • Hands down the podcast for any art and culture nerd

    Always interesting. Always quality.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bonooooooooooo
    United States7 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

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
#36
Poland/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#151
United Arab Emirates/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#211
Netherlands/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Tobacco, Soap, Beer & Cars: 100 Years of Egyptian Print Advertising | Professor Bahia Shehab
Q: How did the political shifts under Nasser and Sadat reshape advertising and consumer culture?
Shehab discusses how Nasser curtailed ostentation and redirected content toward workers, how Sadat opened doors but also imposed religious framing (Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, Mecca travel) and banned alcohol ads, shifting the visual and ethical language of ads.
Tobacco, Soap, Beer & Cars: 100 Years of Egyptian Print Advertising | Professor Bahia Shehab
Q: So before we get into the history, when did journalism and the Egyptian press start in the form we imagine today?
Bahia explains that printing and journalism began at the turn of the century with the Ta'la brothers and Al-Ahram, becoming intertwined with advertising as government and newspapers used it to fund and shape public discourse.
Memory & the Systematic Mending of Heritage | Dima Srouji
Q: What role does archaeology play in your practice and in Palestine today?
Archaeology informs how we understand ownership of history and the ongoing impact of excavations; the goal is to shift the narrative from extractive archaeology to practices that acknowledge and restore Palestinian material culture within living communities.
Memory & the Systematic Mending of Heritage | Dima Srouji
Q: Tell me about ghosts and how this is an experimentation in liberation.
Ghosts refer to the haunting presence of past objects and memories; by revisiting and replicating historic vessels with contemporary artisans, the work becomes a way to liberate history from being solely in Western institutions and re-anchor it in Palestinian hands.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Social Media Reach

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. Jacobin Radio
4. In Our Time
5. Acid Horizon

How many episodes of The afikra Podcast are there?

The afikra Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 488 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. Bahia Shehab
2. Dima Srouji
3. Muhannad Salhi
4. Majid Hannoum
5. Clare Davies
6. Ali Abdullatif Ahmida
7. Kenza Fourati
8. Ammar Azzouz

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