Sara M Saleh

Sara M Saleh is a writer, human rights lawyer, and the daughter of Palestinian, Lebanese and Egyptian migrants who grew up between Sydney & Sharjah. Her writing, mainly concerned with socio-political issues, has been published widely and showcased at festivals, exhibitions, and events around the world. Sara has tirelessly organised within her communities to help empower and uplift hundreds of storytellers over the last decade.

In this episode we talk about how poetry is “truth”, identity, standing up for what is right, Sara’s poetry journey and much more.

Sara Saleh’s Links: https://linktr.ee/sarasale7

Rasha Alduwaisan

Rasha Alduwaisan is an oral historian and writer from Kuwait. Her poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in Willow Springs, Michigan Quarterly Review, The Common and Painted Bride Quarterly. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University.

In this episode we discuss how a poem is the story of an emotion, why we close ourselves up and the endless search for identity.

Rasha’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasha_alduwaisan/

Dorian Paul Rogers

Dorian Paul Rogers is a performance poet, Hip Hop artist, educator, and events curator. He is the founder of Rooftop Rhythms, a monthly open mic which has gone on to become one of the biggest events of its kind in the UAE and surrounding region.

In this episode, we question the role of the mediator in relation to that of the artist. We talk about Dorian’s most recent poetry collection and adult coloring book, The Million Mile Stare, which gives voice to the childhood trauma he experienced growing up as a bi-racial child in the United States.

Dorian also tells us about THER.I.P.Y., the the Hip Hop group he co-founded along with his late rap partner, Kendall “Ken Jo” Johnson, may his soul rest in peace. His most recent solo EP, Burn B4 Listening, is a way to carry on his dear friend’s legacy.

Rooftop Rhythms Instagram: @rooftop_rhythms

Wael Al Sayegh

Wael Al-Sayegh is an Emirati Poet and Martial Arts instructor born in Edinburgh, Scotland.

He is the author of three poetry collections: “A Poet’s Oud” (2006), “I Often Wonder” (2007), and “There is an Elephant in the Majlis” (2011).

In this conversation, we discover Wael’s relationship to writing and to martial arts and how these two art forms came together in his life. We also talk about our mutual fears of writing in Arabic and in the Arab world, the refusal to be enslaved by jobs we hate, and about Al Areen Martial Arts, Wael’s Dubai-based martial arts academy.

Wael’s Instagram: @wael.alsayegh
Al Areen Martial Arts’ Website: https://alareenclub.com

Here is one of my favorite lines from a poem which Wael reads to us during the episode:

“I’d rather ride a donkey to work than a fancy car that makes me a mule to the bank.”

Farah Chamma

Farah Chamma is a Palestinian international writer & performer. She started performing at the age of 15 with a group of poets called the Poeticians. She gained a lot of attention on YouTube from two poetry videos performed by her in “كيف أؤمن” (How Must I Believe) and “الجنسيّة” (The Nationality).

Listen to this conversation as we learn how Farah is evolving her poetry into a new focus and listen to her as she uncovers her relationship with the colloquial (محكي) & literary (فصحة) Arabic language.

Filled with many eye-opening points for any poet, writer or performer I truly enjoyed this conversation and I hope you do as well.

Namal Siddiqui

Namal is a traveler, advertising specialist, poetry writer and performer! A lovely conversation with a wonderful human, listen in and get to know Namal’s story and inspirational moments with poetry as well as some insightful tips from her experience.

To experience more of Namal’s poetry check her out on Instagram @namalsiddiqui