The Power of Art in a Changing Middle East

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It's been 5 years (June 4, 2009) since President Obama's landmark Cairo speech in which he spoke of common values between the West and "Muslims around the world: they were values of "justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings." A year later, the world witnessed the popular uprisings and protests that gripped countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan and Syria...popular political expression that was once thought to have the power to liberalize. As that political momentum has given way to renewed repression in some states, terrible conflict or chaos in others, what is left is art. Among the selections in this program are "Horses of God," the new film out by French-born Moroccan filmmaker Nabil Ayouch about the roots of extremism in the heart of Casablanca...the film echoes the real events of an actual mass suicide bombing that killed 47 people back in 2010. Lebanese singer Tania Saleh who sings for peace between Sunni and Shiites. Pakistani playwright Shahid Nadeem who's been jailed for his use of satire to expose taboo political topics and Lebanese rap crew, Ashekman. They rap and paint graffiti about terrorism, war and corruption. And more. 

This hour was written and edited by Martha Little and produced by Rob Sachs, with additional production help from Flawn Williams. Audio engineering support was provided by Mario Saavedra at KCRW. Our interns are Rebecca Rosman and Michael Abrams. / Host:  Madeleine Brand / Length: 51 minutes

+ Lebanese Singer Uses Music To Document Change In Middle East

Lebanese singer Tania Saleh shares her views on society, politics, and religion with her music. Her songs have struck a chord throughout the Middle East.

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+ Hijab Wearing Breakdancer Turns Heads In Morocco

In Rabat Morocco, there's a new breakdancer on the scene who goes by the name B-Girl Scarf. While many are taking a note that she dances wearing a hijab, she hopes you'll pay more attention to her hip hop moves. Producer Jake Warga brings us her story.

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+ Moroccan Film Examines The Roots Of Terrorism

The film "Horses of God" talks about one of the most tragic events in recent Moroccan history, the 2003 suicide bombings in Casablanca that killed dozens. Host Madeleine Brand speaks with the director of the film about why it's important for Moroccans to tell their own story about terrorism.

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+ Egyptian Filmmaker Gives Context To The 2011 Revolution

For the last several years under President Mubarak, then the Muslim Brotherhood, and now President-elect al-Sisi -- an expanding group of independent filmmakers in Egypt has been trying to capture the gritty realities of life in the country, while carefully maneuvering around censorship from the government, as well as society. Reporter Kimberly Adams tells the story of director Ahmad Abdulla who had to balance these forces in order to make his latest film "Rags and Tatters."

+ Interview: Pakistan's Activist Playwright Shahid Nadeem

Pakistani playwright Shahid Nadeem describes to host Madeleine Brand how even multiple imprisonments hasn’t stopped him from staging politically charged plays that challenge authority and implores audiences to question religious and political leaders.

+ Lebanese Hip Hop Duo Ashekman Expose Societal Ills

Lebanese hip hop and graffiti artists Ashekman rap about fighting oppression with words and music instead of guns and Molotov cocktails. Reporter Ben Gilbert has the details.

Supported By:

Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art (DDFIA)
Henry Luce Foundation

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