In this sixth episode of Abratalks, Chama Mechtaly shares her deeply personal journey of navigating identity, belonging, and activism as a woman born into a mixed Muslim and Jewish family in Morocco. Through her story, we explore the power of intersectionality, art, and cultural syncretism in shaping personal and collective narratives. From her early years in Morocco to her discovery of activism in the US, Chama reflects on what it means to live at the crossroads of identities and how that position can foster resilience, understanding, and peace-building. Enjoy listening and don't forget to suscribe, like and share this episode! 02:25 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu9FUfqqWv8&t=145s) Navigating through Personal and Family Identity 05:15 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu9FUfqqWv8&t=315s) Growing Up in a Mixed Family 09:57 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu9FUfqqWv8&t=597s) The Role of Art in Identity Expression 13:55 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu9FUfqqWv8&t=835s) Intersectionality and Activism in the US 18:30 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu9FUfqqWv8&t=1110s) Misrepresentation of Middle Eastern Identities 22:08 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu9FUfqqWv8&t=1328s) The Journey of a Wanderer and Weaver 29:19 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu9FUfqqWv8&t=1759s) The Concept of "Abra" and Its Significance 30:07 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu9FUfqqWv8&t=1807s) Founding the Emma Lazarus Institute 37:35 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu9FUfqqWv8&t=2255s) Syncretism and Coexistence in the MENA Region 50:55 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu9FUfqqWv8&t=3055s) The Abrahamic Narrative for the Future 55:23 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu9FUfqqWv8&t=3323s) Three Wishes for the Future of the MENA Region Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this fifth Abratalks episode, Nada Majdalani, Palestine Director of EcoPeace, discusses the role of this NGO in promoting environmental cooperation and climate security between Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories, and the importance of education and community engagement in addressing environmental issues. She emphasizes the interconnectedness of environmental concerns, peace building and regional stability, the need for cultural sensitivity in addressing these issues, and the role of women in leadership within the environmental sector. Nada also shares her hopes for the future of the MENA region. Enjoy listening and don't forget to suscribe, like and share this episode! 02:06 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjhTspLjyyE&t=126s) A Palestinian family story 04:58 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjhTspLjyyE&t=298s) The Role of Education in Environmental Awareness 09:08 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjhTspLjyyE&t=548s) The role of EcoPeace : promoting shared responsability over the environment and regional water resources 13:52 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjhTspLjyyE&t=832s) Thinking outside the box : water and environmental issues as a peacebuilding tool 17:07 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjhTspLjyyE&t=1027s) Addressing environmental issues as a universal concern 21:56 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjhTspLjyyE&t=1316s) The Role of Women in Peacebuilding and Environmental Issues 28:49 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjhTspLjyyE&t=1729s) Future Aspirations for the MENA Region Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this fourth episode of Abratalks, Dalia Ziada shares her transformative journey from Egypt to the US to become a prominent advocate for peace and dialogue between the Arab countries and Israel, a fighter against Islamism, and an expert on the geopolitics of the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean. As an activist, she recounts her awakening during a university protest for the Intifada and her experiences after 7 October. Her commitment to promoting liberal democracy in the Middle East stems from the Arab Spring and her deep-rooted struggle against the Muslim Brotherhood. She stresses the universal need for democracy and human rights, challenging the notion that these values are exclusively Western concepts. Her personal journey of navigating faith and identity as a Muslim woman, the complexities surrounding women's rights and the hijab, the importance of interfaith coexistence and her hopes for the future of the MENA region are an eye-opening testimony. Enjoy listening and don't forget to suscribe, like and share this episode! 02:09 Growing up in an Antizionist Egypt 04:38 Awakening and Advocacy for Peace 07:32 The Impact of October 7 and Radicalization 11:32 Academic Background and Early Career 15:57 The Arab Spring and Democratic Aspirations 20:34 Liberal Democracy and Its Importance 25:23 Cultural Perspectives on Democracy 25:48 Navigating Identity and Faith 26:09 Establishing Think Tanks and Future Goals 27:31 Women’s Rights and the Hijab Debate 33:00 Coexistence and Shared Heritage 36:33 Three Wishes for the Future of the MENA Region Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Dans ce troisième épisode d'Abratalks, nous avons l'honneur de recevoir Laure d'Hauteville, figure éminente de l'art moderne et contemporain au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique du Nord. Son parcours exceptionnel, de la découverte de la scène artistique libanaise à la création de Menart Fair, une plateforme dédiée aux artistes du Levant et du Golfe, témoigne d'une vision audacieuse et d'un engagement profond. Au cours de cette conversation captivante, Laure d'Hauteville partage ses perspectives sur le rôle crucial des femmes dans l'art, l'importance du dialogue interculturel et le pouvoir de l'art en tant que vecteur de paix dans la région. Elle souligne l'importance du dialogue interculturel dans la région, et comment l'art peut être un outil puissant pour construire des ponts entre les nations. Nous espérons que vous apprécierez cet épisode et n'oubliez pas de vous abonner, de liker et de partager ! 01:10 Introduction à l'art moderne et contemporain 02:12 La passion pour l'art et ses débuts 06:11 Le Liban, un carrefour culturel 09:26 Les femmes, figures clés de l'art au Moyen-Orient 14:58 Les défis de l'organisation des foires d'art 20:39 L'importance du dialogue à travers l'art 28:10 L’impact du 11 septembre sur l’art arabe 35:11 La coexistence et la paix à travers l’art 50:05 L’avenir de la scène artistique au Moyen-Orient Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this second episode of Abratalks, we sit down with Khaled Hassan to explore his extraordinary journey from growing up in Egypt to embracing Judaism and becoming a passionate advocate for dialogue, coexistence and innovation in the MENA region. Khaled shares how his childhood, shaped by cultural diversity and personal challenges, led him on a path of self-discovery, culminating in his commitment to fostering Arab-Israeli relations and combating radicalism. Throughout the conversation, Khaled delves into his work in international relations, his transformative experiences in Israel, and the role of entrepreneurship in driving meaningful change. He reflects on the challenges of promoting peace in a region fraught with tension and highlights the untapped potential of technology to unite nations. Enjoy listening and don't forget to suscribe, like and share this episode! 01:02 Introduction to Khaled's Journey 03:07 Growing Up in Egypt: Culture and Family Dynamics 07:23 Identity and Conversion: A Personal Transformation 12:14 Political Engagement and International Relations 18:31 Life in the UK: Challenges and Opportunities 22:25 Entrepreneurial Aspirations: Investing in Egypt 29:44 Vision for the Future: MENA Region Transformation 35:53 Combating Radicalism: A Path Forward 39:13 The Role of Technology in Regional Change 41:47 Conclusion: Hope for the Future Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this first Abratalks conversation, Hayvi Bouzo shares her journey from her mixed heritage in Syria to becoming a prominent journalist and advocate for peace in the Middle East. She discusses her childhood which was marked by liberal values and open discussions, the challenges of reporting under the repressive regime of Bachar Al Assad, and her transition to political journalism in the US, which influenced her views on freedom. Thanks to Yalla, an Arab-speaking media that she co-founded, she promotes the importance of coexistence, pluralism, and the potential of the Abraham Accords to reshape the MENA region's future. Her vision includes freedom of worship, collaboration, and the emergence of good leadership. Enjoy listening and don't forget to suscribe, like and share this episode! 01:40 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTDt-ya0tsQ&t=100s) Origins and Family Background 04:47 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTDt-ya0tsQ&t=287s) Childhood Influences and Aspirations 07:24 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTDt-ya0tsQ&t=444s) Journalistic Beginnings in Syria 10:29 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTDt-ya0tsQ&t=629s) Challenges of Reporting Under a Regime 13:08 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTDt-ya0tsQ&t=788s) Transition to Political Journalism in the US 15:56 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTDt-ya0tsQ&t=956s) The Call for Peace and Coexistence 18:27 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTDt-ya0tsQ&t=1107s) Founding Yalla and Promoting Peace 21:28 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTDt-ya0tsQ&t=1288s) The Role of Pluralism and Universalism 24:02 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTDt-ya0tsQ&t=1442s) The Impact of the Abraham Accords 26:59 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTDt-ya0tsQ&t=1619s) A Vision for the Future of the MENA Region 34:24 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTDt-ya0tsQ&t=2064s) Three Wishes for the Future of the Region Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.