Carmel Wrothl | August 2009 issue Mullah Nasrudin is a medieval folk hero claimed by many countries, including Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey. He’s part court jester, part Socratic philosopher, and the many tales of his sayings and adventures are popular throughout the Middle East … [Read more...] about The funny side of faith
religion
French rap star Abd al Malik inspires change among inner city youth
Abd al Malik embraced rap as a way to channel his frustration, tell his story and critique society. Carmel Wroth | April 2009 issue French rapper Abd al Malik has no trouble explaining why young men in the French ghettos usually celebrate New Year’s Eve by torching cars. “When … [Read more...] about French rap star Abd al Malik inspires change among inner city youth
Arab-Muslim culture rocks!
How the Arab and Muslim worlds have influenced America for the better. Jonathan Curiel | December 2008 issue Photo: iStockphoto.com He wasn’t on the cover. That honor went to B.B. King, Jimmy Page, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Eddie Van Halen, but Dick Dale was still a prominent … [Read more...] about Arab-Muslim culture rocks!
Rising up in Riyadh
A young novelist's condemnation of tradition becomes an underground bestseller in Saudi Arabia Marco Visscher | June 2006 issue In chapter one, a woman discovers on her honeymoon that her husband has been unfaithful. She forgives him and becomes pregnant, but he later hits her … [Read more...] about Rising up in Riyadh
Wild in the streets of Damascus
Recent riots in the Middle East turn a colony of young global expats upside down Aatish Taseer | June 2006 issue The last time I saw my friend Torbjorn Askevold, we were eating okra and mutton in my flat near the diplomatic quarter of Damascus, Syria. The 22-year-old Norwegian … [Read more...] about Wild in the streets of Damascus