In this seventh episode of Abratalks, we meet Fatema Alharbi, a passionate peace advocate from Bahrain and Gulf Affairs Director at Sharaka, an organization that fosters dialogue and understanding between the peoples of the Middle East.

Fatema shares how her background in public speaking, sports, and writing led her to embrace activism and diplomacy. Through Sharaka, she works to build bridges between communities, promoting cultural exchange and coexistence across the region.

In this conversation, she speaks about Bahrain’s tradition of peaceful coexistence, the importance of people-to-people diplomacy, and the essential role of women in peacebuilding efforts. With strength and clarity, she reminds us that activism, though challenging, can truly make a difference ; and that the path to a more inclusive and peaceful MENA region begins with connection, courage, and dialogue.

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01:13 Introduction to Peace Advocacy in the Gulf

01:56 Fatema’s Personal Journey and Background

06:41 The Role of Sharaka in Peace Advocacy

10:24 People-to-People Diplomacy and Public Speaking

12:38 The Importance of Coexistence and Cultural Diversity

20:46 Feminism and Women's Role in Peace Advocacy

23:15 Future Vision for the MENA Region

27:47 Concluding Thoughts and Aspirations

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Dans ce podcast, nous sommes allés à la rencontre de Rod et Arthur, les propriétaires du restaurant iranien NAMAK à Paris.
Amis d'enfance, ils ont combiné leurs cultures - iranienne et juive tunisienne - pour créer une cantine perse unique.

Ils partagent l'importance de leurs racines dans l'élaboration de leur menu, où saveurs et traditions se rencontrent pour créer des plats innovants et savoureux. La cuisine devient ainsi un puissant moyen de rapprocher les cultures, en mettant en évidence les éléments communs qui les unissent. Cet épisode illustre comment leur amitié a été le moteur de leur entreprise et comment la cuisine contribue à tisser des liens entre leurs communautés respectives. Ils évoquent également les valeurs de partage, d'ouverture et d'inclusion qui définissent la coexistence et guident leur travail quotidien.

Namak : 18 Rue Saint-Lazare 75009 Paris

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In this sixth episode of Abratalks, Chama Mechtaly shares her deeply personal journey of navigating identity, belonging, and activism as a woman born into a mixed Muslim and Jewish family in Morocco.

Through her story, we explore the power of intersectionality, art, and cultural syncretism in shaping personal and collective narratives. From her early years in Morocco to her discovery of activism in the US, Chama reflects on what it means to live at the crossroads of identities and how that position can foster resilience, understanding, and peace-building.

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02:25 Navigating through Personal and Family Identity

05:15 Growing Up in a Mixed Family

09:57 The Role of Art in Identity Expression

13:55 Intersectionality and Activism in the US

18:30 Misrepresentation of Middle Eastern Identities

22:08 The Journey of a Wanderer and Weaver

29:19 The Concept of "Abra" and Its Significance

30:07 Founding the Emma Lazarus Institute

37:35 Syncretism and Coexistence in the MENA Region

50:55 The Abrahamic Narrative for the Future

55:23 Three Wishes for the Future of the MENA Region

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In this fifth Abratalks episode, Nada Majdalani, Palestine Director of EcoPeace, discusses the role of this NGO in promoting environmental cooperation and climate security between Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories, and the importance of education and community engagement in addressing environmental issues. She emphasizes the interconnectedness of environmental concerns, peace building and regional stability, the need for cultural sensitivity in addressing these issues, and the role of women in leadership within the environmental sector. Nada also shares her hopes for the future of the MENA region.

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02:06 A Palestinian family story
04:58 The Role of Education in Environmental Awareness
09:08 The role of EcoPeace : promoting shared responsability over the environment and regional water resources
13:52 Thinking outside the box : water and environmental issues as a peacebuilding tool
17:07 Addressing environmental issues as a universal concern
21:56 The Role of Women in Peacebuilding and Environmental Issues
28:49 Future Aspirations for the MENA Region

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In this fourth episode of Abratalks, Dalia Ziada shares her transformative journey from Egypt to the US to become

a prominent advocate for peace and dialogue between the Arab countries and Israel, a fighter against Islamism,

and an expert on the geopolitics of the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean. As an activist, she recounts

her awakening during a university protest for the Intifada and her experiences after 7 October.

Her commitment to promoting liberal democracy in the Middle East stems from the Arab Spring and her deep-rooted

struggle against the Muslim Brotherhood. She stresses the universal need for democracy and human rights,

challenging the notion that these values are exclusively Western concepts. Her personal journey of navigating

faith and identity as a Muslim woman, the complexities surrounding women's rights and the hijab,

the importance of interfaith coexistence and her hopes for the future of the MENA region are an eye-opening testimony.

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02:09 Growing up in an Antizionist Egypt

04:38 Awakening and Advocacy for Peace

07:32 The Impact of October 7 and Radicalization

11:32 Academic Background and Early Career

15:57 The Arab Spring and Democratic Aspirations

20:34 Liberal Democracy and Its Importance

25:23 Cultural Perspectives on Democracy

25:48 Navigating Identity and Faith

26:09 Establishing Think Tanks and Future Goals

27:31 Women’s Rights and the Hijab Debate

33:00 Coexistence and Shared Heritage

36:33 Three Wishes for the Future of the MENA Region

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Dans ce troisième épisode d'Abratalks, nous avons l'honneur de recevoir Laure d'Hauteville, figure éminente de l'art moderne et contemporain au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique du Nord. Son parcours exceptionnel, de la découverte de la scène artistique libanaise à la création de Menart Fair, une plateforme dédiée aux artistes du Levant et du Golfe, témoigne d'une vision audacieuse et d'un engagement profond.

Au cours de cette conversation captivante, Laure d'Hauteville partage ses perspectives sur le rôle crucial des femmes dans l'art, l'importance du dialogue interculturel et le pouvoir de l'art en tant que vecteur de paix dans la région. Elle souligne l'importance du dialogue interculturel dans la région, et comment l'art peut être un outil puissant pour construire des ponts entre les nations. Nous espérons que vous apprécierez cet épisode et n'oubliez pas de vous abonner, de liker et de partager !

01:10 Introduction à l'art moderne et contemporain

02:12 La passion pour l'art et ses débuts

06:11 Le Liban, un carrefour culturel

09:26 Les femmes, figures clés de l'art au Moyen-Orient

14:58 Les défis de l'organisation des foires d'art

20:39 L'importance du dialogue à travers l'art

28:10 L’impact du 11 septembre sur l’art arabe

35:11 La coexistence et la paix à travers l’art

50:05 L’avenir de la scène artistique au Moyen-Orient

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In this second episode of Abratalks, we sit down with Khaled Hassan to explore his extraordinary journey from growing up in Egypt to embracing Judaism and becoming a passionate advocate for dialogue, coexistence and innovation in the MENA region. Khaled shares how his childhood, shaped by cultural diversity and personal challenges, led him on a path of self-discovery, culminating in his commitment to fostering Arab-Israeli relations and combating radicalism. Throughout the conversation, Khaled delves into his work in international relations, his transformative experiences in Israel, and the role of entrepreneurship in driving meaningful change. He reflects on the challenges of promoting peace in a region fraught with tension and highlights the untapped potential of technology to unite nations. Enjoy listening and don't forget to suscribe, like and share this episode!

01:02 Introduction to Khaled's Journey
03:07 Growing Up in Egypt: Culture and Family Dynamics
07:23 Identity and Conversion: A Personal Transformation
12:14 Political Engagement and International Relations
18:31 Life in the UK: Challenges and Opportunities
22:25 Entrepreneurial Aspirations: Investing in Egypt
29:44 Vision for the Future: MENA Region Transformation
35:53 Combating Radicalism: A Path Forward
39:13 The Role of Technology in Regional Change
41:47 Conclusion: Hope for the Future

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In this first Abratalks conversation, Hayvi Bouzo shares her journey from her mixed heritage in Syria to becoming a prominent journalist and advocate for peace in the Middle East. She discusses her childhood which was marked by liberal values and open discussions, the challenges of reporting under the repressive regime of Bachar Al Assad, and her transition to political journalism in the US, which influenced her views on freedom. Thanks to Yalla, an Arab-speaking media that she co-founded, she promotes the importance of coexistence, pluralism, and the potential of the Abraham Accords to reshape the MENA region's future. Her vision includes freedom of worship, collaboration, and the emergence of good leadership. Enjoy listening and don't forget to suscribe, like and share this episode!

01:40 Origins and Family Background
04:47 Childhood Influences and Aspirations
07:24 Journalistic Beginnings in Syria
10:29 Challenges of Reporting Under a Regime
13:08 Transition to Political Journalism in the US
15:56 The Call for Peace and Coexistence
18:27 Founding Yalla and Promoting Peace
21:28 The Role of Pluralism and Universalism
24:02 The Impact of the Abraham Accords
26:59 A Vision for the Future of the MENA Region
34:24 Three Wishes for the Future of the Region

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