Radio Tahrir

Noted Arab novelist and critic Ghaleb Halasa comments on modern Arabic literature in Part 2 of a 1989 interview with BN Aziz, in Damascus, Syria. (44:00) http://podcast.radiotahrir.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/GhalebHalasa1989.mp3

Noted Arab novelist and critic Ghaleb Halasa comments on modern Arabic literature in Part 1 of a 1989 interview with BN Aziz, in Damascus, Syria. (5:47) http://podcast.radiotahrir.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/GhalebHalasaAuthor2.mp3

From his home in Canada in 1990 historian and author Habeeb Salloum, speaking with BNAziz, reviews developments he has witnessed within Syrian over 3 decades during his regular visits there since 1961. Salloum is the author of numerous books including one on the Arabic origins of Spanish words, and another on the Arabic origins of English words. At the age of 90 (in 2016) he continues to undertake research in early Arabic cuisine and to publish with his daughters Laila and Muna Salloum. (13:57). Watch for new postings of our interviews with Salloum.   http://podcast.radiotahrir.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/SyriaReflectionsCommentHabeebSalloum1990.mp3

Professor of Sociology at Damascus University, Amal Dakak discusses Syrian expats and her television productions on Syrian TV, speaking with BN Aziz in Damascus. (8:38) http://podcast.radiotahrir.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2009_AmalDakakSyriaRadio.mp3  

South African Muslim scholar and author Farid Esack suggests guides for approaching The Qur’an and discusses aspects of interpreting and reading the Muslim holy book with Barbara Nimri Aziz. (Part four from our wide-ranging discussion during Esack’s recent visit to New York.) http://podcast.radiotahrir.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/FaridEsackPt2_2014QuranText.mp3

The popular ancient mystic poet Rumi has many devotees and interpreters. Shahram Shiva, based in New York is one the the foremost among today’s translators of Rumi’s work. Shiva has published 4 books of translations of Rumi work, and produced an audio collection with music. In this interview Shiva talks about Rumi and the composition of the new collection “Love Drunk” http://podcast.radiotahrir.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ShahramShivaOnRumi2004LoveDrunk.mp3  

Aamer Hussein, visiting New York, reads from his short-story collection “This Other Salt” and talks with Barbara Nimri Aziz about authors of Arab and South Asian heritage in England and USA. (from our RadioTahrir archive.) AamerHussenLondonAuthor1999

Can the Qur’an be a guide for Muslims and non-Muslims in the modern world? Professor of Islamic Studies at University of Johannesburg and author of “The Qur’an: A User’s Guide”, “The Qur’an: A Short Introduction”, and “The Qur’an: Liberation and Pluralism”, Farid Esack, sometimes described as a Muslim liberation theologian, offers an unconventional perspective.  (also listen to our January 26, 2015 post)

Professor of Islamic Studies at University of Johannesburg, South Africa, and author of many books on Muslim issues, Farid Esack addresses a number of issues. In this segment of our wide-ranging interview, he speaks about what labels of ‘progressive’ and ‘moderate’ can or cannot mean for Muslims. Produced by Barbara Nimri Aziz, New York. (See our Feb. 3, 2015 post)

Iraqi journalist Nermin Al-Mufti introduces us to the history of Kirkuk,  a Turkmen majority city in North Iraq. Interviewed by BN Aziz in 2008 in Iraq. For an update on Kirkuk in 2014,  see http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/09/04/who-what-and-where-are-iraqs-turkmen/

Egyptian filmmaker Yusri Nasrallah interviewed by BN Aziz on the New York release of his film “Mercedes”. (From our 1996 RadioTahrir archive, originally broadcast over WBAI, 99.5 fm, NY)

Samuel Hazo is author of 30 books of poetry, essays and novels, formerly Distinguished Professor of English Literature at Duquesne University, Pennsylvania. An American of Arab heritage, in this segment Hazo speaks with BN Aziz on the issue of “ethnic identity” in writing.

Poet Etel Adnan has been named France’s 2004 Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. This s a segment from her 2007 interview with BN Aziz in San Francisco.

Author Evelyn Shakir interviewed in Boston at the release of her first short story collection “Remember Me to Lebanon“. Host BN Aziz

At the screening of ‘Detroit Unleaded’ in Manhattan, Nov 2013, director/screenwriter Nashef talks with BN Aziz.

Tahrir delves into its 24 year archive to offer historical perspectives on political issues and revisit our poets and filmmakers

Dean Obeidallah and Maysoon Ziyad host a monthly edition of Tahrir

Guest Lesley Hazelton, author of “The First Muslim”; Mohja Kahf’s poem ‘MoveOver’, and BN Aziz final remarks on the last regular RadioTahrir broadcast

Poem AlArth,Palestinian Prisoner Report (Tahrir archive); The Gorilla in the Room with comedian Amer Zahr, open phones