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Ehkili | Books & Literature from the Arab WorldAuthor: afikra
Formerly afikra's Book Club, this podcast series calls on anyone who is interested in literature from the Arab world to spend time reading along with the entire afikra community and discover some of the best books and writers that came out of the region. We interview Arab authors about books theyve written in Arabic or English (and sometimes French), and non-Arab authors who have written extensively about the region, delving into their literary journey until present day. We also invite bookworms to dissect some of the most noteworthy literary works from the region. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Ihsan Abdel Quddous's Enduring 20th-Century Legacy | Jonathan Smolin
Episode 22
Thursday, 24 July, 2025
Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Dartmouth College, Jonathan Smolin, discusses his book "The Politics of Melodrama: The Cultural and Political Lives of Ihsan Abdel Kouddous and Gamal Abdel Nasser," which examines the life and work of Ihsan Abdel Quddous who played an immense role in shaping 20th-century Arab culture as a prolific writer, journalist, and political commentator. Smolin details Quddous' life, including his upbringing, the complex relationship with his mother – who was none other than Rose al Yusuf – and his significant influence in Egyptian and Arab society. The conversation also covers Quddous' involvement in the 1952 coup in Egypt, his views on pan-Arabism, his support for women’s liberation, and his mixed legacy, including the controversies and scandals he navigated. 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Who Was Ihsan Abdel Quddous? 00:57 Ihsan Abdel Quddous's Impact on Arab Culture04:45 Ihsan Abdel Quddous's Family Background09:29 Literary Tradition and Writing Style16:56 Political Involvement and Scandals29:40 Reflections on Naivety and Regret32:24 His Arrest and Disillusionment37:48 The March Crisis and Censorship41:03 Nasser's Unique Brand of Authoritarianism44:56 Debates on Women's Rights53:12 Support for Arab Nationalism56:13 Exploring Themes of Sex and Romance in Fiction Jonathan Smolin is Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Dartmouth College, where he also serves as Acting Chair of the Middle Eastern Studies Program and is an affiliate of Jewish Studies. Since joining Dartmouth in 2005, his teaching has focused on the politics and popular cultures of the modern Middle East, with a classroom approach grounded in open dialogue and critical engagement across diverse sources and perspectives. His research explores the intersections of politics, literature, and media in the Arab world. He is the author of "Moroccan Noir: Police, Crime, and Politics in Popular Culture" (Indiana University Press, 2013) and "The Politics of Melodrama: The Cultural and Political Lives of Ihsan Abdel Kouddous and Gamal Abdel Nasser" (Stanford University Press, 2024). Hosted by Mikey MuhannaConnect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns FOLLOW & RATE THE EHKILI PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-book-club/id1646400790» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4khpLDZ77PINLupT7xEIv7» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044638525THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xaTkBDrUKLCulvoCE8ubX&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra
