Al Jadid | A Review of Arab Arts and Culture

Tribalism: A Modern Approach to the Gulf

By Hilary Hesse

Tribal Modern

By Miriam Cooke

University of California Press, 2014

By way of geological fluke, one of the world’s most forbidding regions improbably became one of its wealthiest: in 1908 oil was discovered in the Middle East.

Section

Books

Images of a Failed “New World Order”

By D.W. Aossey

The Migrant Image

By T.J. Demos

Duke University Press Books, 2013

Given the current state of the U.S and world economies many have begun to question whether the egalitarian promises of Globalism and the New World Order, ushered onto the world stage in the wake of the Cold War, are actually panning out as promised.

Section

Books

Arabic Poetry and the Public Sphere Today: A Conversation Between Abbas Beydoun and Rula Jurdi

By Rula Jurdi

In a fascinating conversation Lebanese journalist, poet and novelist, Abbas Beydoun and Lebanese historian and poet, Rula Jurdi discuss the limits and reach of modern Arabic poetry, its appeal to different public spheres, the politics of publishing, and the relationship between publisher and poet. Both agree that oral and performative traditions and innovations can increase accessibility.

"Before we ask ourselves why are the readers of Arabic poetry declining we must remember that throughout history, if one were to examine the major Arabic literary accounts, poetry was a public activity, but it was never a sustained popular or mass-based activity. Poetry was for the elites." - Abbas Beydoun

Interviews

Film Sheds New Light on 'Assad Twilight'

By Salam Mir

Why did Bashar al-Assad fail to deliver the modern, liberal leadership he promised in 2000? What were the successes and failures of his father, Hafez al-Assad, whose bloodless 1970 coup launched a 30 year presidency? The Film, “Syria: The Assads’ Twilight”by directors Vincent de Cointet and Christophe Ayad, chronicles the rise of the regime, and its subsequent decline.

Having won 97.3% of the vote, Bashar al-Assad was sworn President of Syria in July 2000, promising a modern liberal leadership. The following decade of the son’s rule proved to be as oppressive as that of the father, the directors reveal.

Films

Farewell and thanks to Ahmed Seif (1951-2014) who was called "The sword of the people," and who pushed human rights to center stage

Genderless God and Pluralistic Islam Focus of New Film

By Salam Mir

How can we change negative perceptions in the West concerning Islam and Muslims? Philosopher-historian Fons Elder’s film, “Islam Unknown,” reviewed by Salam Mir, addresses this issue. In search for answers, Elder interviews eight respected, but unconventional Muslim intellectuals, on the War on Terror, nationalism, identity formation, “Otherness,” gender, sexual equality, and secularism.

Elders additionally shows how both Reza Aslan and Anouar Majid take European and Muslim history into account when they tackle questions of identity and “Otherness.” Both scholars agree that in the early modern period Christian Europe defined itself in opposition to Islam.

Films

Breaking Away from Extremism

By Frances Khirallah Noble

It is no secret that hopeless young men and women make excellent candidates for radicalization. British-born Pakistani Maajid Nawaz details how, in 1992, his own journey towards extremism begins with the gang warfare decimating his neighborhood. He was imprisoned for five years in Egypt, which led Amnesty International to adopt the young man and his co-workers as prisoners of conscience. “Radical: My Journey Out of Islamist Extremism” documents this remarkable tale.

Books

Narratives of Immigration

By Lynne Rogers

Immigrant Narratives, Orientalism and Cultural Translation in Arab American and Arab British Literature

By Wail Hassan

Oxford University Press, 2011

Wail S. Hassan’s “Immigrant Narratives, Orientalism and Cultural Translation in Arab American and Arab British Literature” covers approximately 100 years of Arab-Anglophone writing.

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Books

Can Ethnic Media Correct Ethnic Bias?

By D.W. Aossey

Understanding Ethnic Media

By Matthew Matsaganis, Vikki Katz, and Sandra Ball-Rokeach

Sage Publications, 2010

If anyone understands how American media works and is leveraged, it should be the Arab-American community.

Section

Books

'Meanderings' Through Turkey

By Frances Khirallah Noble

Meander

By Jeremy Seal

Bloomsbury, 2012

“Meander” is a travel guidebook that has everything –historical background, colorful local folk, cultural perspective, captivating description, beautiful writing – and yet lacks certain expected elements; it contains no hotel rates, no shopping guides, no airline schedules, and no tips for tourists.

Section

Books

Our Current Issue

Tribalism: A Modern Approach to the Gulf

Images of a Failed “New World Order”

Arabic Poetry and the Public Sphere Today: A Conversation Between Abbas Beydoun and Rula Jurdi

Film Sheds New Light on 'Assad Twilight'

Farewell and thanks to Ahmed Seif (1951-2014) who was called "The sword of the people," and who pushed human rights to center stage

Genderless God and Pluralistic Islam Focus of New Film

Breaking Away from Extremism

Narratives of Immigration

Can Ethnic Media Correct Ethnic Bias?

'Meanderings' Through Turkey

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