Best Zahra Media Podcasts (2024)

1
My Mother’s Extraordinary Life in Beirut of the Late 50s & Early 60s | Venetia Porter 54:21

29m ago54:21

54:21

Venetia Porter is an Honorary Research Fellow at the British Museum. Formerly Curator of Islamic and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art at the British Museum, her published titles include "Reflections: Contemporary Art of the Middle East and North Africa", "The Islamic World: A History in Objects", "Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam" and "Word Into …

1
Episode 52: Working Together to Address Housing Supply - The Honourable Sean Fraser 38:22

4h ago38:22

38:22

It’s no secret that Canada is facing a housing crisis. The country is in need of programs and strategies to help build more homes that meet people where they are. It’s a national issue that requires collaboration from all leaders, politically and otherwise. The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, is our gues…

1
Imperial Narratives vs Palestine’s Reality | Lorenzo Kamel 1:01:03

5d ago1:01:03

1:01:03

This episode of the afikra podcast was recorded on April 10th at 1pm Palestine Time Lorenzo Kamel teaches Global History and History of the Middle East and North Africa at the University of Turin. He has held teaching and research positions at Harvard University, the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, ‘Ain Shams University in Cairo, and a number …

1
Decatur: Carolyn Cortner Smith 28:00

10d ago28:00

28:00

Throughout its history, Decatur, Alabama has produced a number of unapologetically bold, creative, and “difficult” women who weren’t afraid to break the mold. In this episode, we’ll tell you the story of one of them: Carolyn Cortner Smith, believed to be the first licensed female architect in the state of Alabama. Carolyn was born at a time when So…

1
Episode 151: Prophet Abraham, Sacrifice, God's Covenant and land of Israel with Dr. Ali Ataie 1:41:41

17d ago1:41:41

1:41:41

A special discussion for the Haj and Eid-ul Adha season, Parvez and Omar are joined by returning guest Dr. Ali Ataie. The show dives deep into the Prophet Abraham(as) in the monotheistic scriptures/traditions, including Abraham's service of sacrifice, the innumerable blessings bestowed to Abraham and his covenant with God. The conversation then exa…

1
Philanthropy in the Arab World | Maysa Jalbout 58:55

20d ago58:55

58:55

This episode was recorded on May 3rd 2024. Maysa Jalbout is a global education advocate, philanthropy executive and impact advisor. She is an industry veteran and led the establishment of Al Ghurair Foundation, the Queen Rania Foundation and many other private and corporate foundations. A recognized leader in international development and philanthr…

1
Decatur: First Missionary Baptist 39:23

25d ago39:23

39:23

The city of Decatur, Alabama is home to many historic Black churches, including one with a particularly rich history: First Missionary Baptist Church, in Old Town, the city’s predominantly Black neighborhood. Designed by one of the first African American architects, Wallace Rayfield, the church has — from its post-Civil War beginnings — been a corn…

1
Episode 51: Housing Market Update: Canadian Economists Weigh-In 38:05

25d ago38:05

38:05

On June 5, The Bank of Canada announced its first rate cut in four years. This could be the sign many were waiting for to come off the sidelines and step into Canada’s housing markets. But, what does that look like across the country and how do other economic factors play into the decision making process? On the latest episode of REAL TIME, we hear…

1
Ohio River to Freedom: New Richmond 23:49

26d ago23:49

23:49

Today New Richmond is a charming town along the Ohio River with a relatively tiny Black population. But for a moment in time in the 19th century, it was not only a hotspot of abolitionist activity, it was also home to a vibrant Black community. How did that happen? And why are there so few Black families left today? In this episode, part two of the…

1
Ohio River to Freedom: Ripley 27:31

27d ago27:31

27:31

Black Underground Railroad agents lived perilous lives. Because they could be killed or jailed for their work, they hid any and all evidence of their activities. So, today, historical records of their efforts are rare. Luckily, however, historians in the town of Ripley, Ohio have not only uncovered the stories of their local Black Underground Railr…

1
Amazigh History of North Africa | Brahim El Guabli 1:03:00

1M ago1:03:00

1:03:00

Brahim El Guabli is the Chair and Associate Professor of Arabic Studies. He is interested in topics of Maghrebi and Middle Eastern literature, including trauma and memory, Saharan imaginations, Jews in Arabic literature and film, transitional justice processes, translation, current events, Marxist Leninist Movements, Afro-Arab solidarities, and dec…

1
BONUS: Preservation for the People w/ Dr. Kwesi Daniels 56:24

2M ago56:24

56:24

HAPPY PRESERVATION MONTH! To celebrate, we wanted to share with you a new podcast that we think you’ll love: Preservation for the People brought to you by The Black Art Conservators (BAC) and produced by Urbanist Media! In their first episode, Kayla Henry-Griffin and Nylah Byrd talk to Dr. Kwesi Daniels (Head of the Architecture Department at Tuske…

1
What We Can Learn From Political Defeat in Egypt | Atef Said 56:17

2M ago56:17

56:17

Atef Said is an associate professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, and a sociologist who's passionate about politics, revolutions and social change. His scholarship engages with the fields of sociological theory, political sociology, historical sociology, sociology of the Middle East, and global sociology. His book "Revolution Squared: Tahr…

1
Episode 50: Getting Creative With Content Marketing – Melanie Deziel 36:17

2M ago36:17

36:17

From websites and ads to social media, newsletters, and podcasts, content is everywhere and has the potential to be a powerful business driver. But how do you consistently create good, creative content? That’s where Melanie Deziel comes in, a creativity coach and leading voice in content marketing. With clients including Google, Netflix, The New Yo…

1
Episode 150: Protests, Encampments, and the BDS Movement with Zahra Billoo 1:56:14

2M ago1:56:14

1:56:14

For the show's 150th episode Parvez & Omar are joined by the second guest ever to appear on the podcast, Zahra Billoo , Civil rights Attorney and Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations San Francisco Bay Area (CAIR-SFBA). Zahra brings her years of tireless Civil Rights work and activism to bear as she discusses the recent pr…

1
Kuwait's Architectural Awakening | Roberto Fabbri 57:01

2M ago57:01

57:01

Roberto Fabbri is an architect, researcher, and associate professor at Zayed University, College of Arts and Creative Enterprises (UAE). His research interest engages with the notion of narrative spaces, reading the role of heritage and architecture in the definition of processes such as modernization, identity-making, knowledge exchange and establ…

1
Cholera Changed Mecca Forever | Michael Christopher Low 1:04:52

2M ago1:04:52

1:04:52

Michael Christopher Low received his PhD from Columbia University in 2015. He is the director of the University of Utah's Middle East Center and his primary research and teaching interests include the Ottoman Empire, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Ocean world, and environmental history. He is the author of Imperial Mecca: Ottoman Arabia and the …

1
Eyeliner: A Cultural History | Zahra Hankir 55:19

3M ago55:19

55:19

This episode was recorded on March 27th, 2024. Zahra Hankir is a Lebanese-British journalist, editor and author. She was awarded a Jack R. Howard Fellowship to attend the Columbia Journalism School and holds degrees in politics and Middle Eastern studies. Her first book "Our Women on the Ground" was a bestseller and won the Susan Koppelman award fo…

1
History of Slavery in North Africa | M'hamed Oualdi 1:00:25

3M ago1:00:25

1:00:25

M’hamed Oualdi is full professor of history at Sciences Po-Paris. He is a historian of Early Modern and Modern North Africa trained in Arabic at Inalco-Paris and in history at the Sorbonne University (Paris 1-Panthéon Sorbonne) from which he obtained his PhD in 2008. Prior to joining the faculty at Sciences Po, he was associate professor at Princet…

1
Episode 49: The Working REALTOR®: Lessons Learned in Real Estate 42:54

3M ago42:54

42:54

Everyone’s been put to the test in their career. On this episode of REAL TIME, we invite two members of the REALTOR® community, Anu Joshi-Mehendale and Dusko Sremac, to reflect on their top lessons learned in real estate as they approach a decade of experience in their respective practices. Get advice to help you minimize mistakes, set yourself up …

1
Hijacked City: Urban Planning for a Better Beirut | Mona Fawaz 1:01:15

3M ago1:01:15

1:01:15

Mona Fawaz is a Professor in Urban Studies and Planning at the American University of Beirut (AUB). She is also the co-founder of the Beirut Urban Lab at AUB, and serves as the director of the Social Justice and the City research program at the Issam Fares Institute of Public Policy (also at AUB). Mona was a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute of Adv…

1
Architectural Future of the Gulf: Out With the New In With the Old | Civil Architecture 1:10:16

3M ago1:10:16

1:10:16

This afikra podcast episode with Hamed Bukhamseen and Ali Ismail Karimi of Civil Architecture delves into the architectural, geographic, cultural, and historic fabric of "the Gulf". We ask what and where is the Gulf? Is it a concrete geography or an abstract entity? Ali and Hamed reflect on what it means to be of and from this region and how this h…

1
BONUS: Justin Garrett Moore on Humanities in Place 1:21:12

3M ago1:21:12

1:21:12

EXCITING NEWS…Season 3 is coming soon! If you’re not subscribed to our podcast or our newsletter, please do so now! You can also follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. That way, you’ll know immediately when a new episode drops. Today we have a high-energy conversation with Justin Garrett Moore, program director for the Mellon Foundation’s Humanities …

1
Sole DXB: Bringing Street Culture to Dubai | Rajat Malhotra 1:01:30

3M ago1:01:30

1:01:30

Rajat Malhotra — partner at Sole DXB: Dubai's annual footwear, music, art and lifestyle festival — comes on the afikra podcast to talk about bringing street culture to his home city. He shares what it was like starting the festival alongside his co-founders, reflects on his favorite acts from over the years, and what it's really like to curate an e…

1
Episode 149: A Physician's Medical Mission to the Gaza Strip with Dr. Mohammad Subeh 1:56:08

3M ago1:56:08

1:56:08

Parvez and Omar are truly honored to host Dr. Mohammad Subeh who just returned from a five week medical mission to the Gaza Strip, specifically the Rafah Crossing to the south. Dr. Subeh shares his background born to a Palestinian refugee family living in Kuwait and then forced to flee overnight at the start of the First Persian Gulf War and invasi…

1
Sharia Law, the State & Modernity’s Moral Predicament | Wael Hallaq 1:13:11

4M ago1:13:11

1:13:11

Renowned professor of ethics, law and political thought and leading scholar of Islamic Legal Studies, Dr Wael Hallaq, joins us on this episode of the afikra podcast to discuss Sharia law, the modern state, Legal Orientalism, and the idea of a "stateless" yet still orderly world. Dr Hallaq deals with reductionist understandings of Sharia law, critiq…

1
Episode 148: Islam in the Inner City and the Work of Islah LA with Dr. Jihad Saafir 2:19:38

4M ago2:19:38

2:19:38

Here is an episode that's been a few years in the making! We finally had the privilege of sitting with Dr. Jihad Saafir of Islah LA to discuss his background, academic training, as well as the remarkable and pioneering work that Islah LA and Islah Academy are doing to serve the community in South Los Angeles. As you've come to expect from the podca…

1
Unapologetically Palestinian: Arab Comedians in America | Maysoon Zayid 50:31

4M ago50:31

50:31

Maysoon Zayid, Palestinian comedian, actress, graphic novel author and co-creator of the NY Arab-American Comedy Festival, joins us on the afikra podcast to talk all things comedy, Palestine, Arab-America, and advocating for the disabled community. Maysoon talks about how she grew up to be the confident, unapologetic, publicly Palestinian comedian …

1
Platforming Regional Design Excellence Design Doha | Fahad Al Obaidly 23:54

4M ago23:54

23:54

The first of three live Design Doha podcast recordings features an interview with the Biennial's deputy director Fahad Al Obaidly. He takes us behind the scenes of Design Doha, breaks down what "Celebrating Regional Design Excellence" means in practice, and how the Biennial roots itself in locality. Fahad tells us about the strength of the design i…

1
Episode 48: Leading and Living With Purpose – Zahra Al-Harazi 37:18

4M ago37:18

37:18

A survivor of two civil wars, Zahra Al-Harazi immigrated to Canada in 1996 with her three children and no higher education. Today, she’s one of Canada’s most successful entrepreneurs. On this episode of REAL TIME, Zahra unpacks the turning point in her story, when she defined her sense of purpose, and how it continues to guide her and her businesse…

1
Where Media in the Arab World Stands Today | Marwan Kraidy 54:05

4M ago54:05

54:05

Marwan Kraidy, CEO and Dean of Northwestern Qatar and leading scholar of global communication and media, joins us on the afikra podcast to discuss media, truth, and journalism in the Arab world. This episode dives into the impact of mobile phones, reflects on whether social media is a force for good or not, and explores the notion of “socio-politic…

1
Episode 147: Imam Tahir Anwar, His Silicon Valley Roots, Religious Education, and Advice for Ramadan 1:22:57

4M ago1:22:57

1:22:57

It's not too often that you come across a Silicon Valley raised and Dar-ul-Uloom trained Imam but that's exactly who joins Parvez and Omar to kick-off the blessed month of Ramadan. Imam Tahir Anwar, Imam of the South Bay Islamic Association and Lecturer at Zaytuna College returns to the show! This time around the discussion includes a deep dive int…

1
The History & Impact of Paper in the Islamic World | Jonathon Bloom 52:55

4M ago52:55

52:55

Art historian, educator and author Jonathan Bloom joins us on the afikra podcast to talk about paper, print and the Islamic world. He talks us through changing understandings of "Islamic" art and architecture through the decades, explains the premise of his book "Paper Before Print: The History and Impact of Paper in the Islamic World" and whether …

1
Building with a Future Vernacular | Wael Al Awar 1:00:47

4M ago1:00:47

1:00:47

Wael Al Awar is an architect and founder of waiwai alongside Kazuma Yamao — an architectural, landscape, urban, interior and graphic design studio with offices in Dubai and Tokyo. Waiwai takes a highly contextual approach to address social, environmental and technological questions through design. Wael was the chief Curator of the National Pavilion…

1
Episode 47: The Nature of Productive Disagreements – Anthony Morgan 39:37

5M ago39:37

39:37

Anthony Morgan is an award-winning science communicator. He’s also a PhD researcher and startup founder who’s hosted dozens of TV shows, including the Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet and CBC’s The Nature of Things with Sarika Cullis-Suzuki. He’s the mastermind behind Freestyle Socials, a live, hilarious game designed to “undivide” people by blurri…

1
Demystifying Sufism | Waleed Ziad 1:06:32

5M ago1:06:32

1:06:32

Waleed Ziad is an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the author of Hidden Caliphate: Sufi Saints beyond the Oxus and Indus" which won the Albert Hourani Prize. His research concerns the historical and philosophical foundations of Muslim revivalism and revivalist responses to internal political fragmentation a…

1
Why is Islam So Misunderstood? | John Esposito 58:45

5M ago58:45

58:45

John Esposito is a Professor of Religion and International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University. He is the Founding Director of the Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding and The Bridge Initiative: Protecting Pluralism - Ending Islamophobia in the Walsh School of Foreign Service. He has written over 55 books including "W…

1
What Exactly Is Islamic Art? | Wendy Shaw 45:50

5M ago45:50

45:50

Wendy Shaw is an art historian and professor of the Art History of Islamic Cultures at the Freie Universität berlin. Her book "What is 'Islamic' Art?: Between Religion and Perception" explores the perceptions of arts, including painting, music and geometry through the discursive sphere of historical Islam including the Qur'an, Hadith, Sufism, ancie…

1
Episode 146: From SoCal to Al-Azhar and Back with Shaykh Jamaal Diwan 2:04:33

5M ago2:04:33

2:04:33

Parvez and Omar are honored to be joined by Shaykh Jamaal Diwan, co-founder and Resident Scholar at The Majlis. This was a wide-ranging conversation with Shaykh Jamaal discussing his personal journey connecting with his faith, his studies at Al-Azhar University, and the principles underlying The Majlis. Beyond his personal journey the conversation …

1
Decolonizing & Decentering Theater in the Arab World | Laila Soliman 59:39

6M ago59:39

59:39

Laila Soliman is an independent Egyptian theater director and playwright who lives and works in Cairo. Born in Cairo, she gained a degree in theater and Arabic literature from the American University in Cairo and a MA at Dasarts in Amsterdam. Her performances have been shown across the Arab world, India, South Africa and Europe. Her first opera pro…

1
ERIC CALDERWOOD | Rethinking Al-Andalus | The afikra عفكرة podcast 1:14:55

5M ago1:14:55

1:14:55

We reflect on why it's difficult to put an exact date on when al-Andalus actually "ended", the brotherhood it has created between Spain and Morocco and the importance of these interconnected histories. Finally, Eric shares how music and dance led him to study al-Andalus and why he chose to explore this topic from five different perspectives includi…

1
MEHDI BENCHAABANE | AI in Education: The Challenges & Opportunities for Schools | The afikra عفكرة podcast 55:38

6M ago55:38

55:38

We sat down with Mehdi Benchaabane, director of Qatar Academy Doha, to discuss the current advantages and shortfalls of AI in the classroom. We discuss the significant questions AI has raised around educational honesty and integrity, key concerns at all levels from students, educators and policymakers to parents, and whether the educational system …

1
Nesrine & Bab L' Bluz at Habibi Festival 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub 32:07

6M ago32:07

32:07

Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the fourth of six, featuring a conversation with and performance by Nesrine Belmokh, along with more snaps from a performance by Bab L'Bluz at Joe's pub. Nesrine Bolmokh is a Franco-Algerian singer, cellist and songwriter who brings the Mediterran…

1
ALIA AL-SENUSSI | Why We Should Pay Attention to Cultural Patronage & the Creative Economy in the Arab Region | afikra عفكرة Podcast #390 57:37

6M ago57:37

57:37

Finally, she highlights the critical role that artists and their art play as “interpreters of our time” and the difficulties of building private and public collections, and shares her “playbook” for building a successful cultural institution. For art lovers and curious minds alike, Alia also shares her favorite museums, cultural institutions and ga…

1
Bab L' Bluz, Tarek Yamani & Yacine Boulares at Habibi Fest 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub 32:54

6M ago32:54

32:54

Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the third of six, featuring a conversation with Bab L'Bluz's Yousra Mansour and Brice Bottin, along with snaps from a performance by Tarek Yamani and the the Yacine Boulares Quartet at Joe's pub. Bab L'Bluz is a Moroccan-French rock band that was …

1
Goodbye Julia: A Beautifully Nuanced Film About Sudanese Society | Mohamed Kordofani 57:03

6M ago57:03

57:03

We asked him about his decision to set the film between 2005 and 2011 — a significant moment in Sudan’s recent history — and who he made the film for: international viewers curious about Sudan or Sudanese cinema-goers reflecting on themselves. Finally, we untangle some of the main social critiques and themes that the film seeks to confront — in par…

1
Amal Murkus & Firas Zreik at Habibi Fest 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub 16:02

6M ago16:02

16:02

We partnered with Habibi Festival for a six-night celebration of ancient + contemporary sounds from Lebanon, Tunisia, Syria, Morocco, Palestine, Algeria and more! It all took place from October 1-7 at Joe's Pub in NYC. Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the second of six, featuring…

1
Episode 145: Integrating Islamic Spiritual Approaches into Professional Psychology and the Khalil Center with Dr. Hooman Keshavarzi 1:31:23

6M ago1:31:23

1:31:23

For our first episode of 2024 we present an interview conducted during our trip to Chicago with Dr. Hooman Keshavarzi, Founder and Executive Director of Khalil Center. Dr. Keshavarzi discusses his journey connecting with his faith, becoming a clinical psychologist, and how he integrated his studies in Islamic theology and spirituality towards creat…

1
Episode 46: Colours, Trends, and Influences: A Palette of Possibilities – Leatrice Eiseman 47:27

6M ago47:27

47:27

Colour affects us physically and mentally. In business, it’s a silent salesperson, a powerful way to send a message. To start the year, we invited one of the world’s leading colour consultants to help us explore colour trends and the malleable nature of colour itself – how we perceive it, what we can do with it, and how REALTORS® can wield it to in…

1
Apartheid, BDS & Palestinian-South African Transnational Solidarity | Andy Clarno 49:18

6M ago49:18

49:18

We're excited to announce that our special episodes on Palestine are turning into their own podcast. The atrocities that continue to take place in Palestine are a reminder that, more than ever, we need to dedicate our platforms to stand for justice and truth. "This is not a watermelon" is a podcast about Palestinian history and culture. In this epi…

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Zahra Media Podcasts

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