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Category Archives: Literature

The 2nd Review

The good folks at The Muslim Vibe interviewed me and reviewed rose-water syrup. Read what they had to say over this way. Comments closed.  

From terrible, to v good poetry

It has been a minute since I wrote you, and for this I am sorry. I have read every single message you sent, and I thank you for your overwhelming…

10 year anniversary & Min Fami

Today is this home’s 10 year anniversary. Yeah, it’s as unbelievable to me as it is to you, my seven readers. Last night, I participated in my first ever panel…

Rest In Peace, Marvin Glass

Today I learnt of the passing of one of my favourite university professors – Marvin Glass. He is the original and most clear image I hold of my first days…

Sexualization of young girls is dangerous

It’s 2011. I can’t fkn believe that we are still taking about this sh.t, that it is still surprising to some, that studies have to be done to confirm it, …

On Yemen, Egypt & Jordan

From friend Mazen Chouaib, who recently wrote… “The challenge now in Egypt is to see how far these diverse groups can sustain the civil protest and present a counter offer…

Do you know Gene Sharp?

You should. His free booklet was used to instruct the Egyptian pro-democracy demonstrators. Please meet and read about him here. Comments closed.

Muslims & Christians in Egypt

I can count the number of times I have posted emails from readers, but this is one well worth it. “Hi Maha, I am Ri7am and I always read your…

Comprehensive analysis on Egypt (and others)

For those of you asking after comprehensive information rather than mere reporting of current events, please take a poke through the Stratfor Global Intelligence website here. In order to read…

Lit Up is the Arabic Street

Update 2 Feb: Tahrir Square is turning into a bloodbath. Reports coming in that plain-clothed security forces have been let loose on the Square, and most exits blocked, so that…

I inspired a character in a fiction short story (EEEE!!!!)

S (about whom I have here frequently written) said it in this way: “I thought…what would it have been like for me to meet Maha while we were children?” And…

Dear Dr. Aalya

I love you very much and am proud of you beyond words or measure. I have printed Bordering on Fear: A Comparative Literary Study of Horror Fiction, your 399 page…

Oooh. Politix. Yummy scrumptious wet dripping politics.

John Cusack’s War, Inc CrackSpace has posted one of my political pieces here as their most recent blog entry. I am humbled that they think enough of my writing to…

The Gaza Bombshell

You must please read Vanity Fair’s The Gaza Bombshell. It is a lengthy article and so I recommend you print it up and then read it when you are in…

Gaza

This is where you will find the most comprehensive information about what is happening in Gaza. Bookmark it. All over the world there are demonstrations and vigils being organised. Look…

On Palestine

An educational two sites sent my way (thank you!). First is the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and second is Israel’s 60th Birthday blog that has an excellent Jews-in-solidarity-with-Palestinians blog roll…

Update On Maher Arar

“…our Government (USA) did not admit it was a mistake, but it is worse than a mistake because our Government seems to continue to claim the authority to snatch someone…

Neruda

is my favourite poet, and this is my favourite of his poems. It was read to me when I was 22 and I was as moved to sadness then as…

"Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent"

Serving as a sort of balance – for lack of a better word – to the neoc*n article I posted a few hours ago, here is a Frontline interview with…

A warm hug in the middle of your week

If the consequence of such thinking weren’t so devastating, it would be comical. Fundamentalists ranging from the Fundamentalist Muslim, Fundamentalist Jew, Fundamentalist Christian, Fundamentalist Anti-Religionist, Fundamentalist Anti-Crayonist, and Fundamentalist Anti-Humorist…