logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
43m 42s

Maha El Akoum | Obesity Epidemic & Healt...

AFIKRA
About this episode
In this episode of the afikra podcast, we chat with Maha El Akoum, the Manager of Content and Policy at WISH, to try to explore the causes of childhood obesity – especially in the Arab world and particularly in the Gulf – and to understand the complexities of dealing with it. Based in Qatar, Maha discusses the alarming rise in childhood obesity within the Gu ... Show More
Up next
Yesterday
⁠Innovation Rooted in Culture: On Deep Tech, Brain Drain & Impact | ⁠Rama Chakaki
The president of the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), discusses her unique vision for innovation in the Arab world, emphasizing the crucial need to tie technological advancement to our roots, culture, heritage, and fundamental needs. Rama Chakaki shares insights from her ... Show More
57m 18s
Jan 19
Founder of Mille World Sofia Guellaty | Fashion, Soft Power & the New Arab Identity
The unifying youth culture across the Arab region is characterized by a proud new Arab identity and the changing standards of beauty with the rise of "Arab beauty" (A beauty), which celebrates Arab features and aesthetics. The founder of Mille World and Mille Creative, Sofia Guel ... Show More
1h 5m
Jan 12
A History of Algeria & the Worlds of Islam | Professor James McDougall
The conversation covers the historical emergence of Algeria as a political and territorial unit, starting in the Ottoman period in the 16th century. Key pivotal moments in Algerian history are highlighted, including French colonialism beginning in 1830, which led to a settler col ... Show More
1h 6m
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2022
Souk El Tayeb | Kamal Mouzawak
In this Matbakh event, we talked to Kamal Mouzawak about how he founded the first farmers market in Lebanon, leading a social and environmental change and transformation. Kamal, through Souk El Tayeb, had the vision of celebrating food and traditions that unite communities and pr ... Show More
28m 53s
Oct 2025
Becoming an Arab Meme | Laure Assaf & Hamad Al-Amari Live in Doha
<p>We bring you the live recording of a panel we moderated at the media majlis museum in Doha this month. We delve into the history of memes in the Arab world with anthropologist Laure Assaf and Qatari comedian Hamad Al-Amari, where they explore their cultural significance, evolu ... Show More
40m 30s
Nov 2024
Leen Al Zaben | Building a Real Arab Culinary Community
Vanessa Zuabi interviews Leen Al Zaben in this one in two Matbakh special, recorded live on stage at What The Food by alserkal in Dubai. They discuss Leen's unexpected journey into the food industry, which began 15 years ago as a food blog and evolved into a full-blown career. Th ... Show More
29m 39s
Aug 2022
Egyptian Food on Social Media | Wesam Masoud
In this Matbakh event, we talked to Wesam Masoud about his creativity in developing and enhancing cooking techniques and flavor pairings. Chef Wesam is known for teaching the basics of cooking techniques, food history and food science in an engaging and idiosyncratic style.Create ... Show More
22m 54s
May 2023
Unraveling the Etymology of Arabic Words & Expressions With Fadi Boukaram aka @cedrusk
Fadi Bou Karam talks about the history of Levantine etymologies and their possible origins. He discusses the influence of the Ottomans on the way certain words are pronounced, notably in Lebanese Arabic. The words include fruits and vegetables, such as artichoke, orange, loquat & ... Show More
59m 54s
Dec 2024
Ziyad Ayass | Innovation & Nostalgia in F&B Startups
Join us for the second live episode of Matbakh in collaboration with What The Food, featuring Ziyad Ayass, the founder and managing partner of Wonder Restaurants, with Dubai F&B outlets like Ka'ak Al Manara – a Lebanese bakery specialising in kaak), and an upscale dining experien ... Show More
47m 20s
Aug 2022
Jameed and Other Jordanian Delicacies | Omar Sartawi
In this Matbakh event, we talked to Omar Sartawi about his creations and subtle blend of flavors from his travels to Europe and the Arab Gulf with his heritage and Jordanian roots. Omar’s popular consecration came in 2017, when he took the local food scene by storm with the launc ... Show More
26m 42s
Jul 2025
Exploring Omani & Zanzibari Food With Chef & Cookbook Author Dina Macki
In this episode of Matbakh, we're joined by Dina Macki, author of cookbook "Bahari: Recipes From an Omani Kitchen and Beyond," who shares insights into the unique flavors and culinary traditions of Omani and Zanzibari cuisines. Dina discusses her cultural heritage and diverse upb ... Show More
49m 23s
Dec 2021
The Mindful Muslim Podcast #34 – Motherhood, Boundaries & Cultivating Positivity with Sophina Khan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHjkc6pu8Us The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month, we spoke to the eloquent Sophina Khan ... Show More
1h 8m
Oct 2024
Sabina Faiz Rashid, "Poverty, Gender and Health in the Slums of Bangladesh: Children of Crows" (Routledge, 2024)
Poverty, Gender and Health in the Slums of Bangladesh: Children of Crows (Routledge, 2024) provides comprehensive ethnographic accounts that depict the daily life experiences and health hardships encountered by young women and their families living in the slums of Dhaka city and ... Show More
53m 18s