Kalam is a podcast about the culture, history and politics of the Middle East. Hosted by seasoned radio journalist Edgar Mannheimer, Kalam aims to be a source o...
46. Alawite Civilians Massacred in Syria with Orwa Ajjoub
Over the past few days close to 1,000 civilians, overwhelmingly from the Awalite minority, have been killed in Syria.Beginning when clashes erupted between remnants of Assad loyalists and the new HTS-led government, mainly Sunni Muslim militias and civilians descended on Northwestern Syria and committed unspeakable crimes against their Alawite neighbours.Orwa Ajjoub is a Syrian analyst and friend of the show. He is born and raised in Damascus but currently lives in Malmö, Sweden.If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to do so - by signing up to our Patreon. For just $3/month you'll gain access to full length interviews with all our guests and lots of bonus material - including our series Kalam Shorts: 10-15 explainers of concepts like Zionism and Orientalism. Join at patreon.com/kalampodcastFor continuous updates on the podcast and content about Palestine and the Middle East, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcastPlease subscribe to Kalam Podcast in whatever podcast application you're listening to right now - and give us a rating. It helps other people find out about us.
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No Other Land, Clashes in Syria and Ramadan in Gaza: Kalam Digest 24
In this week's Kalam Digest, Edgar, Sam and Nora discuss the Israeli-Palestinian documentary "No Other Land" winning an Oscar, the violent clashes in Syria as well as Ramadan in war-torn Gaza. If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to do so - by signing up to our Patreon. For just $3/month you'll gain access to full length interviews with all our guests and lots of bonus material - including our series Kalam Shorts: 10-15 explainers of concepts like Zionism and Orientalism. Join at patreon.com/kalampodcastFor continuous updates on the podcast and content about Palestine and the Middle East, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast Please subscribe to Kalam Podcast in whatever podcast application you're listening to right now - and give us a rating. It helps other people find out about us.
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45. Being Queer in Syria with Khaled Elesmael (Live)
This is a live show where I speak to the Syrian author Khaled Elesmael about queer rights in Syria, gay desire in Arab literature some exciting news at the end of the episode. Khaled Elesmael’s books Salemlike and Gateway to the Sea are seminal works of literature and are a must-read if you want to understand modern-day Syria as well as the refugee tragedy following the war. Today, Assad has fallen and Khaled and millions of Syrians are considering returning to their homeland. This episode was recorded at Medelhavsmuseet, The Meditarranean Museum in Stockholm. If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to do so - by signing up to our Patreon. For just $3/month you'll gain access to full length interviews with all our guests and lots of bonus material - including our series Kalam Shorts: 10-15 explainers of concepts like Zionism and Orientalism. Join at patreon.com/kalampodcastFor continuous updates on the podcast and content about Palestine and the Middle East, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast Please subscribe to Kalam Podcast in whatever podcast application you're listening to right now - and give us a rating. It helps other people find out about us.
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44. An Attack on Books with Mahmoud Muna of the Educational Bookshop
In February 2025 Israeli forces raided the Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem. The bookstore is one of the oldest in the city and is frequented by Palestinians, Israelis and international patrons. It is a staple in Jerusalem, and the Israeli raid prompted international outcry. The Israelis claimed that the bookstore was promoting violence – something which is abjectly false. The Educational Bookshop sells books on a wide range of topics from Palestinian liberation to Zionism to English literature. It features authors from Palestine and Israel and beyond.If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to do so - by signing up to our Patreon. For just $3/month you'll gain access to full length interviews with all our guests and lots of bonus material - including our series Kalam Shorts: 10-15 explainers of concepts like Zionism and Orientalism. Join at patreon.com/kalampodcastFor continuous updates on the podcast and content about Palestine and the Middle East, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast Please subscribe to Kalam Podcast in whatever podcast application you're listening to right now - and give us a rating. It helps other people find out about us.
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43. Biking in Palestine with Mohammad Zarour
Biking in Palestine is virtually impossible. Not for a lack of interest – but for the hostile Israeli occupation and indiscriminate settler violence. The longest biking route is 20km, before one runs into a military checkpoint or veers too close to an illegal Israeli settlement. Mohammad Zarour was instrumental in launching and running several Palestinian biking initiatives – to support those passionate about biking and promote biking to interested Palestinian youth. Most of these initiatives, however, are not able to operate anymore as the occupation has clamped down on most Palestinian organising, especially since the 7th of October 2023. Israel routinely employs sportswashing to present itself in a preferable light. It hosts many biking events and has built biking trails in the state of Israel – many of which exist on the ruins of Palestinian villages that were depopulated during the Nakba of 1948.If you enjoy Kalam Podcast and want to support the show, there is an excellent way to do so - by signing up to our Patreon. For just $3/month you'll gain access to full length interviews with all our guests and lots of bonus material - including our series Kalam Shorts: 10-15 explainers of concepts like Zionism and Orientalism. Join at patreon.com/kalampodcastFor continuous updates on the podcast and content about Palestine and the Middle East, follow us on Instagram @kalampodcast Please subscribe to Kalam Podcast in whatever podcast application you're listening to right now - and give us a rating. It helps other people find out about us.
Kalam is a podcast about the culture, history and politics of the Middle East. Hosted by seasoned radio journalist Edgar Mannheimer, Kalam aims to be a source of knowledge and understanding about a region of the world that is so often misunderstood.