In Defence of the Arts for Muslims

Arts & Culture: We speak with Shaheryar Ali in Pakistan about the state of the arts in Pakistan in the face of increasing fear of Taliban rule and influence. Then we meet Uzma Mirza in the USA who speaks about her spiritual art, and throws us an interesting perspective – Is the Taliban like the Ku Klux Klan? Read Shaheryar’s blog and visit Uzma’s spiritual art.

Palestine Festival of Literature: Interview with Ahdaf Soueif

Arts & Culture: Emmy Abdul Alim talks to Ahdaf Soueif about the Palestine Festival of Literature. 17 acclaimed international authors and publishing heavyweights work with Palestinians in this important exchange. The festival is on from 23-28 May 2009 across Palestine. Find out more at www.palfest.org, or follow PalFest on twitter. You can also find them on facebook. While the festival is on, follow daily authors blogs and see photos from the events.

We’ve also covered the festival for Islamonline.net’s arts and culture pages. Read the article here.

New Muslim Cool and Echoes of the Lost Boys of Sudan

Arts & Culture show: Emmy Abdul Alim talks to producer/director of documentary “New Muslim Cool“, Jennifer Maytorena Taylor. “New Muslim Cool” follows the life of Puerta Rican American Muslim rapper Hamza Perez. Also find out more about the graphic novel “Echoes of the Lost Boys of Sudan” with illustrator and artist Niki Singleton. As usual, we give you a brief listing of what’s going on in the world of arts and culture.

Follow-up: Take To The Sea – Egyptian Irregular Economic Migration to Europe through the Mediterranean Sea

On 13th April we talked to Lina Attalah about her “Take To The Sea” project. Remember to check out the documentary on 22nd April at the old AUC campus at 7pm. You can find more details about the project here.

Follow-up: 5th al-Jazeera International Documentary Film Festival

On 13th April 2009 we heard from our correspondent in Doha, Fatima Asmal, before the opening of the film festival. Now that the festival has ended, read about the winners, and watch a trailer of one of them, “New Muslim Cool”:

Fatima Asmal’s article on the festival, and official website and trailer for “New Muslim Cool“.

Welcome to IOL Radio!

Leading up to our selection of full programming, IOL Radio presents a taste of what’s to come.

Welcome to Islam: Emmy Abdul Alim talks to Erin Shevchuk, a young Muslim convert and youth leader from British Columbia, Canada. Erin is involved in the upcoming 2nd Annual Regional Muslim Youth Conference in Surrey, Canada. Its website is http://www.bttyc.org.

Tune in to the interview!  Welcome to Islam – with Erin Shevchuk

Arts World: We talk to our correspondent in Qatar, Fatima Asmal, about the 5th al-Jazeera International Documentary Film Festival, on from 13-16 April 2009, and with Lina Attalah about the “Take to the Sea” project involving illegal migration of young Egyptian men by sea to the UK. A documentary will be presented on 22nd April at AUC’s old campus in Downtown Cairo, Egypt.We also give you a brief listing of what’s happening in the world of arts and culture.

Listen in! Arts World – 5th al-Jazeera International Documentary Film Festival and “Take to the Sea” project