Culture

Eslam Jawaad: an old-school Arab MC comes correct
Posted on 04/08/2009 - 13:51
We are in the throes of Arab hip-hop's most significant contributions to the larger world hip-hop massive (Diaspora). Arab hip-hop crews the world over are feelin' it. Like sharks attracted to blood, Lebanese, Moroccan, Palestinian, and (fill-in-the-blank) Arab MC's are schoolin' up to take a bite out of the Arabic hip-hop phenomenon. Lebanese-Syrian MC Eslam Jawaad is one of the leaders of this new school.

"Pervert travels in the Muslim world" - does "gay" equal "shazz?"
Posted on 27/07/2009 - 14:35
The first book on gay life ever to be translated into Arabic from English is soon due to hit bookstands in Beirut. The book’s translation, however, has caused a stir well before its release. The Lebanese publisher in charge of the Arabic translation has namely chosen to translate “gay” as “shazz," meaning “pervert” or “deviant” in Arabic. What is in store for “Gay travels in the Muslim world” now called “Pervert travels in the Muslim World” in its Arabic translation?

Pre-Nakba Palestinian Life as a Zionist Narrative
Posted on 22/07/2009 - 12:29
Alon Hilu’s “The House of Dajani” takes us back to Jaffa in 1895. Intertwining the diaries of two characters, Salah Dajani, a 12-year-old Palestinian who foresees the rise of Israel and Haim Margaliot Kalvarisky, a real-life figure and head of the early Zionist movement, the book has been praised as a new historical approach to the Israeli narrative.

"In the country of boys": new book on gay life in Egypt sends shockwaves through Egyptian society
Posted on 14/07/2009 - 18:18
A few days ago, the controversial book of Egyptian journalist Mostafa Fathi on the lives and struggles of homosexual men in Cairo hit book stands in the Egyptian capital. Expectedly, Fathi’s novel has created a stir in Egyptian media and among conservative Egyptian society. MENASSAT called up the author in Cairo to speak about his groundbreaking novel.

Fatenah: Palestine's first 3D animation
Posted on 06/07/2009 - 13:31
Palestinian 3D animated film Fatenah combines fact and fiction in a story about a woman in the Gaza Strip, and her struggle with breast cancer under Israel's complete air, sea and land domination of the Strip.

Chiclets and clothes pegs: "Going back to my Beirut roots"
Posted on 25/06/2009 - 15:58
In a new exhibition, Lebanese artist Hossam Bokeili recalls his Beirut childhood memories through memorabilia portrayed in a pop-art style . MENASSAT met with the artist during his Beirut installation.

Samar Mezghanni: Children's book writer takes on the literary scene at an early age
Posted on 10/06/2009 - 19:29
Tunisian children’s book writer Samar Mezghanni is only in her early twenties and has published more than a dozen books. In 2000, at the age of 12, she was named the "Youngest Writer in the World" by the Guinness book of World Records. Two years later, she was crowned "the Youngest Most Prolific Writer in the World" by the leading compilation of world records. MENASSAT sat down with Mezghanni in Stockholm, Sweden, where she is currently participating in a leadership-training program.

Breaking the equation ( Sri Lankan = maid)
Posted on 18/05/2009 - 17:41
In a new series of illustrated Arabic language children's books, author Laila Zahed and illustrator Maya Tawil aim to raise awareness and create more tolerance of foreign migrant workers' cultures among Lebanon's youngest generation. MENASSAT had a chat with the author.

Oumayya Jahd sheds tears of blood
Posted on 12/05/2009 - 21:24
Palestinian journalist and cartoonist Oumayya Jahd uses her art to "express her pain and sorrows," having lived through the death of two husbands in Gaza, as a result of the Israeli occupation and siege imposed on the Palestinian territory.

Love in a headscarf: finding Mr. Right through arranged marriage
Posted on 29/04/2009 - 16:08
In her book “Love in a Headscarf: Muslim woman seeks the One,” London-based blogger Shelina Zahra Janmohamed offers her readers insight into what it means to be on the hunt for love through arranged marriage. MENASSAT interviewed Janmohamed to find out more about her experiences and how her book is challenging social misconceptions about arranged marriage in many places including the Arab world.