Radio Tahrir

Noted Arab novelist and critic Ghaleb Halasa comments on modern Arabic literature in Part 2 of a 1989 interview with BN Aziz, in Damascus, Syria. (44:00)

Noted Arab novelist and critic Ghaleb Halasa comments on modern Arabic literature in Part 1 of a 1989 interview with BN Aziz, in Damascus, Syria. (5:47)

From his home in Canada in 1990 historian and author Habeeb Salloum, speaking with BNAziz, reviews developments he has witnessed within Syrian over 3 decades during his regular visits there since 1961. Salloum is the author of numerous books including one on the Arabic origins of Spanish words, and another on the Arabic origins of English words. At the age of 90 (in 2016) he continues to undertake research in early Arabic cuisine and to publish with his daughters Laila and Muna Salloum. (13:57). Watch for new postings of our interviews with Salloum.  

Professor of Sociology at Damascus University, Amal Dakak discusses Syrian expats and her television productions on Syrian TV, speaking with BN Aziz in Damascus. (8:38)  

South African Muslim scholar and author Farid Esack suggests guides for approaching The Qur'an and discusses aspects of interpreting and reading the Muslim holy book with Barbara Nimri Aziz. (Part four from our wide-ranging discussion during Esack's recent visit to New York.)

The popular ancient mystic poet Rumi has many devotees and interpreters. Shahram Shiva, based in New York is one the the foremost among today's translators of Rumi's work. Shiva has published 4 books of translations of Rumi work, and produced an audio collection with music. In this interview Shiva talks about Rumi and the composition of the new collection "Love Drunk"  

Aamer Hussein, visiting New York, reads from his short-story collection "This Other Salt" and talks with Barbara Nimri Aziz about authors of Arab and South Asian heritage in England and USA. (from our RadioTahrir archive.) AamerHussenLondonAuthor1999

Can the Qur'an be a guide for Muslims and non-Muslims in the modern world? Professor of Islamic Studies at University of Johannesburg and author of "The Qur'an: A User's Guide", "The Qur'an: A Short Introduction", and "The Qur'an: Liberation and Pluralism", Farid Esack, sometimes described as a Muslim liberation theologian, offers an unconventional perspective.  (also listen to our January 26, 2015 post)

Professor of Islamic Studies at University of Johannesburg, South Africa, and author of many books on Muslim issues, Farid Esack addresses a number of issues. In this segment of our wide-ranging interview, he speaks about what labels of 'progressive' and 'moderate' can or cannot mean for Muslims. Produced by Barbara Nimri Aziz, New York. (See our Feb. 3, 2015 post)

Iraqi journalist Nermin Al-Mufti introduces us to the history of Kirkuk,  a Turkmen majority city in North Iraq. Interviewed by BN Aziz in 2008 in Iraq. For an update on Kirkuk in 2014,  see http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/09/04/who-what-and-where-are-iraqs-turkmen/

"Just a simple day in the countryside... We were 3 Arab women on an uncommon sanctions busting outing. Determined to forget the war and the embargo for a day in a dusty city we departed for the flat, open countryside of Iraq beyond Baghdad." An excerpt from Chapter Five, read by the author; in press.

Egypt's Yusri Nasrallah interviewed by BN Aziz on the NYC release of his film "Mercedes"

Samuel Hazo speaks with BN Aziz and discusses the issue of ethnic identity in writing

Poet Etel Adnan has been named Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by France, Feb. 2004

Author Evekyn Shair is interviewed in Boston at the time of the release of her first short story collection "Remember Me to Lebanon". Host BN Aziz

At the screening of 'Detroit Unleaded' in Manhattan, Nov 2013, director/screenwriter Nashef talks with BN Aziz.

Tahrir delves into its 24 year archive to offer historical perspectives on political issues and revisit our poets and filmmakers

Dean Obeidallah and Maysoon Ziyad host a monthly edition of Tahrir

Guest Lesley Hazelton, author of "The First Muslim"; Mohja Kahf's poem 'MoveOver', and BN Aziz final remarks on the last regular RadioTahrir broadcast

Poem AlArth,Palestinian Prisoner Report (Tahrir archive); The Gorilla in the Room with comedian Amer Zahr, open phones

BN Aziz reads "TheFirst Muslim", by author Lesley Hazelton with a clip from her TED talk. Fawzia Afzal Khan joins Aziz to duscuss American Muslim agendas today.

Ralph Poynter talks about Lynne Stewarts early work and the campaign to free the imprisoned civil rights attorney. Celebrating poetry month Tahrir poems. in The Campaign to free

Author Samuel Hazo on his latest novel, and the music of jazz trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf.

Our 2003 interview with Baghdad resident Souad AlRadi in Iraq days before the US attack and invasion; a report on sanctions preceeding the 2003 war; poems by Lamees AlEthari

We continue our conversation with novelist Willow Wilson; a short archival segment from our 2009 interview with author Hanan AlShaykh; Tamara Issak speaks with poet Gaith Adhami (2010 archive)

Novelists Samuel Hazo and Willow Wilson discuss their latest books (part1); update on imprisoned civil rights attorney Lynne Stewart

Poet and author Mohja Kahf speaks about the historical representations of the Muslim woman

an 29, 2013 Yvonne Haddad, Georgetown University professor and specialist in the history of Muslims in the US continues (see Tahrir 22 Jan/13) her assessment on gains and setbacks in our community. We include statements from Muslim filmmaker Lena Khan,...

Professor Yvonne Haddad reviews recent history of Muslims in US, and we speak with author Ahdaf Soueif

Co-hosts in conversation reviewing the past year, and loooking at the career of civilrights attorney Ramsey Clark

3 segments: part 2 of Ammar Kessab interview; Fattal on deTocqueville's mission in Algeria; nuclear scientist Al-Aboudi, on France's nucleartests in Algeria

Sarah Malaika introduces the New Year with a medley of selections from around the Arab World

Aziz reads recent blogs with music, then open phones for listeners

BNAziz reviews the work of 2 Atab filmmakers, RubaNadda and YasminaAdi; Anissa Bouziane 1997 archive on Rai music; Dawn Elder on contemporary NAfrican music

Interview with San Francisco community activist Alice Nashashibi (Tahrir archive). “Existence is Resistance” NYC HipHop Festival “Hands off Gaza” campaign. Algeria: Part 1 of interview with Algerian commentator Ammar Kessab on Algeria’s government hegemony of cultural (civic) expression. Host BN Aziz.

Tahrir focuses on Palestine today, before the UN Assembly vote on a new Palestine status, with a commentaries on land seizures in Jerusalem with Fouad Moughrabi, on Jerusalem history with scholar Walid Khalidi (Tahrir archive). B N Aziz reviews "The T...

30 minute discussion by Selma K Jayyusi on ModernArabicLit from 2005, selected poems in Arabic and excerpts from 2005 NT Arab Comedy Festival

Sept 25 Discussing “The stupid film”—repercussions and strategies for American Muslims, is Abdullah Al-Arian, (www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/09/201291875937965762.html) Wayne State University professor and specialist in the modern Middle East. From our 2001 Tahrir archive: Palestinian artist and activist Taiseer Barakat in Ramallah, West Bank. Host BN Aziz.

American Muslims: advances and setbacks-- host BNimri Aziz asks: Are things really getting worse for US Muslims? Guests: author and journalist Stephan Salisbury, and attorney Fahd Ahmed of DRUM-NY along with Adem Caroll, formerly of ICNA, review repo...

Our Eid Feature: “From Cordoba to Baghdad”, parts 3 and 4 of this acclaimed series from our Tahrir archive with oud virtuoso and teacher Simon Shaheen. In the first part you’ll hear Shaheen’s discussion of 'qawalab', forms of Arabic music, then his illustration of the characteristics of Arab music theory. Produced and first distributed by Radio Tahrir in 1996.

RamadanPoems, Archive of CairoHistory and interview with Naif AlMutawa of The99

filmmker andphotographer MustafaDavis speaks about HipHop musicians and possibilites in Islam. Tahrir intern productions by Weaam Ali and Omar Ammar.

Ramadan from the streets of New Jersey, with host Tamara Issak. “The 99”--preview of our forthcoming interview with its creator Naif al-Mutawa; archive commentary by M.T. Mehdi

attorney Omar Mohamedi assesses impact of King's Congressional Hearing on Radicalization of US Muslims; archival interview with vocalist Najma, and archival clip of Farid Esack. Hosts Saadia Aslam and BN Aziz

Filmmaker Rolla Selbak, writer and director of "Three Veils" speaks about her work; Dave Hall interviews Gay and Lesbian Rights Activists (from our archive) and MT Mehdi comments on Airport Profiling in 1997 (also from our archive). Host BN Aziz

The Palestinian-theme play "Food and Fadwa", is reviewed by Reem Nasr; Dr.Ginan Rauf discusses two new films focusing on the Egyptian revolution, along with an interview woth Stefano Savona, director of "Tahrir: Liberation Square". Host BN Aziz

Ilyasah Shabazz, author of "Growing up X", and daughter of human rights leader Malcolm Al-Hajj Shabazz, interviewed by Hassen Abdellah.

Doria Shafiq, early 20th centry Egyptian feminist biographer Cynthia Nelson (from our Archive) and in-studio guests spak with host Tamara Issak re revelations about police surveillence of US Muslim student organizations.

Al-Hajj Ghazi Khankan 1934-2012, much-loved community activist, teacher and radio host is remembered by friends and colleagues; testmonials from Safdar Chadda,Shaik Ubaid, Saana Nadim, Ali Jaaber and call-in listeners. Producer BN Aziz. Hajj Ghazi Kha...

Actor and filmmaker, Newark-born Usman Sharif www.imdb.com/name/nm2244051/) talks with host Hassen Abdellah about his transformation from viewer to actor to director. With additonal questions by B N Aziz and listener calls