In Episode 22 of The Enlightenment Podcast, Shamim and Hanan sit down with Ahmed Eldin, an Emmy-nominated journalist, producer, actor, and activist of Palestinian descent. Ahmed has built an impressive media career, including roles with The Huffington Post, VICE, and AJ+.

His work includes the Emmy-nominated project Defining Middle Ground: The Next Generation of Muslim New Yorkers, and he has received various accolades, including a Webby Award. 

His documentary Queer Egypt Under Attack won multiple awards, including the Amnesty International UK Media Award for Digital Creativity and the British Journalism Award for Social Affairs, Diversity & Inclusion in 2023. The film focuses on the treatment of LGBTQI+ individuals in Egypt.

In this episode, they discuss Ahmed's diverse career, his advocacy for human rights, and the challenges faced by marginalized communities in the Middle East.

📽️ Watch Queer Egypt Under Attack here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnSV0UVleR

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!

#AhmedShihabEldin #EnlightenmentPodcast #QueerEgyptUnderAttack #LGBTQ #MiddleEast #HumanRights #Journalism #Activism #Podcast

In Episode 21 of The Enlightenment Podcast, Shamim and Hanan welcome their first Israeli guest, Professor Avi Shlaim, an Israeli-British historian of Iraqi Jewish descent. As an Emeritus Professor of International Relations at the University of Oxford, Professor Shlaim is renowned for his critical perspectives on the history of Zionism and Israel, being a prominent figure among Israel's "New Historians."

Born in Baghdad in 1945, Professor Shlaim and his family relocated to Israel in 1950. He pursued his education in history at Jesus College, Cambridge, and later obtained an M.Sc. in International Relations from the London School of Economics.

In this episode, they delve into his latest work, Three Worlds: Memoirs of an Arab-Jew, which has also been published in Arabic. The memoir offers a unique perspective on his personal journey and the broader historical context of Arab-Jews.

Join them as they explore Professor Shlaim's personal narrative, the intricate history of Arab-Jews, and his critical insights into Zionism and Israeli history.

📚 Learn more about Three Worlds: Memoirs of an Arab-Jew: https://www.amazon.com/Three-Worlds-Arab-Jew-Avi-Shlaim/dp/0861544633

In Episode 20 of The Enlightenment Podcast, Shamim and Hanan sit down with Atef Alshaer, a Professor in Arabic and Cultural Studies at the University of Westminster. With a career dedicated to exploring the intersections of literature, culture, and politics, Atef brings profound insights into Palestinian identity and resistance through poetry and storytelling.

With a BA in English Language and Literature from Birzeit University in Palestine and a Master’s and PhD from the University of London, Atef has authored numerous works, including Poetry and Politics in the Modern Arab World, A Map of Absence: An Anthology of Palestinian Writing on the Nakba. His acclaimed book New Palestinian Poetry won the Palestine Book Award in 2020.

In this episode, they discuss the power of Palestinian poetry, the enduring cultural impact of the Nakba, and how literature has preserved identity and resistance amidst occupation and displacement.

📚 Learn more about A Map of Absence: An Anthology of Palestinian Writing on the Nakba - https://www.amazon.com/Map-Absence-Anthology-Palestinian-Writing/dp/0863569900

In Episode 19 of The Enlightenment Podcast, Shamim and Hanan sit down with Amal Ghandour, a Lebanese-Jordanian author and blogger behind This Arab Life. With over three decades of experience in research and community development, Amal offers deep reflections on Arab identity, generational silence, and storytelling.

She is the author of two books: About This Man Called Ali and her latest, This Arab Life: A Generation’s Journey into Silence, released in October 2022. Amal holds an MS in International Policy from Stanford University and a BS from Georgetown, and her writings have appeared in Le Monde, The Daily Beast, and Canvas, among others.

In this episode, they delve into Lebanon’s history, rich culture, and strong ties with Palestine, offering thoughtful and nuanced insights into the region’s past and present.

📚 Explore more of Amal’s work on her Substack: https://substack.com/@amalghandour

We were privileged to sit down with Omar Dajani, Carol Olson Professor of International Law at McGeorge School of Law and a key figure in the Middle East peace process. 

With roots in Jaffa, Syria, and France, Omar brings a rich cultural perspective to his work. A Yale graduate, he served as legal advisor to the Palestinian negotiating team during pivotal peace talks, including the Camp David Summit, and worked with the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process in Jerusalem. 

As co-chair of A Land for All, a movement advocating for a two-state confederation in Israel-Palestine, Omar continues to push for innovative solutions to longstanding conflicts. His recent book, Federalism and Decentralization in the Contemporary Middle East and North Africa, explores institutional designs for addressing governance and identity challenges in the region.

Join us as we discuss his journey, the complexities of the peace process, and ideas for a shared future.

📖 Explore Omar Dajani’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Federalism-Decentralization-Contemporary-Studies-Comparative/dp/1108831230

We were honored to interview Palestinian artist Sandra Watfa, whose work powerfully highlights themes of displacement, resilience, and Palestinian rights.

Born in Lebanon to a family displaced during the Nakba, Sandra’s art captures the grief and strength of the Palestinian experience. Her evocative collection Nakba: Palestinians' Ongoing Dispossession combines art and poetry to tell these enduring stories.

In this episode, we feature some of Sandra’s impactful work and a moving recording she wrote in November 2023, reflecting on the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

"Nakba: Palestinians' Ongoing Dispossession" on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Nakba-Palestinians-Dispossession-Sandra-Watfa/dp/1915996139

🎄 Happy Holidays from Bethlehem! 🎄

We were thrilled to interview Palestinian chef and restaurateur Fadi Kattan, (Hanan's cousin), joining us from the heart of Bethlehem during this festive season.

Fadi is the chef-owner of Fawda in Bethlehem and co-owner of Akub in London, known for their modern takes on Palestinian cuisine. His cookbook Bethlehem: A Celebration of Palestinian Food showcases the culinary richness of his hometown, blending tradition with innovation.

In this episode, Fadi takes us on a journey through Palestinian food, culture, and his mission to preserve heritage and spread peace through cuisine.

May this holiday season bring joy, peace, and love to all. ✨

Pre-order Fadi’s cookbook Bethlehem: A Celebration of Palestinian Food here: https://geni.us/bethlehem

On our latest podcast episode, we were delighted to interview Susan Abulhawa. Susan is a Palestinian-American human rights activist, founder of the NGO Playgrounds for Palestine, a biomedical scientist, a poet, and an award-winning author of three incredible novels.

Her debut novel, Mornings in Jenin, sold over a million copies, was translated into 32 languages and established Susan as the most widely read Palestinian author of all time. Her second novel, The Blue Between Sky & Water, was sold in 19 languages, while her third, Against the Loveless World, also received critical acclaim.

In addition to her literary achievements, Susan is an advocate for justice, actively involved in the Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) movement and a speaker for Al Awda, the Right of Return Coalition. Join us for a profound discussion about her literary journey, activism, and her vision for justice and representation.

🎥 Don’t miss Susan’s viral speech on justice and humanity here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZCWCGebAuU

Munir is Head of Production & Acquisitions at Watermelon Pictures, which promotes movies that reflect the perspectives and experiences of Palestinians as well as other marginalised groups around the world. Munir has a rich background as a Palestinian and within the entertainment industry - join us for a wide-ranging discussion about films, representation and much more...https://www.watermelonpictures.comhttp://muniratalla.com

Samia Halaby is considered a trailblazer in contemporary abstract art internationally. Displaced from Palestine in 1948 with her family when she was eleven, Halaby was educated in the U.S. Halaby is collected by many museums such as the Guggenheim Museum; Institut du Monde Arabe; and Birzeit University (Ramallah). Her works are part of the current Tate Modern exhibition 'Electric Dreams'. We hope you enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with an iconic artist who is also Hanan's aunt on her Mum's side!