Faisal Laibi’s powerful piece, “Martyrs” captures the death brought on to Iraq in the late seventies after the purge of the communists by the Baathists in the country. In this AJ+ Arabic story, Sultan takes a closer look at this piece. Read more »
Mahmoud Hammad: The Muslim Scientists
A Syrian artist pays tribute to a galaxy of leading Islamic scientists and scholars, as he tries to paint an image of Muslims and Islam that is different from what is widely seen today. Take a look with Sultan in this AJ+ Arabic story. Read more »
Dia Azzawi: The Seven Odes (The Mu’allaqāt)
In this AJ+ Arabic story, Sultan discusses Iraqi artist Dia Al Azzawi’s tribute to the Seven Odes, which form a quintessential part of the Arabic poetic repertoire. Watch and take a closer look at this set of twelve paintings. Read more »
Sami Mohammed: Penetration sculpture
Kuwaiti artist Sami Mohammed’s sculpture captures a multitude of social dynamics associated with political struggle. Titled, “Penetration,” the piece is the focus of this AJ+ Arabic story, hosted by Sultan. Read more »
Dia Azzawi: Good Morning Beirut (Handala)
In 1982, the Israeli siege of Beirut brought with it a world of suffering and destruction. In response to this, Palestinian artist and cartoonist Naji Al Ali, painted “Good Morning Beirut,” which depicted Handala presenting a flower through a hole in the wall to a young woman. This powerful scene of solidarity would later be recreated in a sculpture by Iraqi artist Dia Al Azzawi. Take a look with Sultan in this AJ+ Arabic story. Read more »
13 Degrees East
More than thirty years after its opening the Institut du Monde Arabe continues to be a visionary and unique project that is still relevant to France but perhaps even more relevant to the Arab World itself. It was in Paris that I truly connected to the Arab world, says Sultan in this personal essay about Arab art, culture and identity. Read more »