tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33654467496967355232024-03-05T08:08:57.305+04:00brownbook magazineurban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-92032405638328275732008-05-20T20:26:00.001+04:002008-05-21T13:04:27.934+04:00new brownbook website<a href="brownbookmag.com"><span style="font-weight:bold;">www.brownbookmag.com</span></a>urban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-10213188760638567622008-05-18T16:44:00.003+04:002008-05-18T16:45:55.920+04:00brownbook subscribers.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEH6d-cFasg7o0fSEce2yVX_8u8FWBL6necgMxVLB6Yv6qPaW7s2lMr4ehFt4zaELzeOSBk9G7ZIJV8I8rQ_yuWoZ45AuF5kZPUxnxnNPfOX6iOlAUAl06FL7vL1iUe6l-pZsuZ-by27Q/s1600-h/IMG00044.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEH6d-cFasg7o0fSEce2yVX_8u8FWBL6necgMxVLB6Yv6qPaW7s2lMr4ehFt4zaELzeOSBk9G7ZIJV8I8rQ_yuWoZ45AuF5kZPUxnxnNPfOX6iOlAUAl06FL7vL1iUe6l-pZsuZ-by27Q/s400/IMG00044.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201698225841716322" /></a>urban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-14324876841901411712008-05-16T15:44:00.003+04:002008-05-16T15:47:30.998+04:00Innerspace: Sandbag Prototype<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.akdn.org/agency/akaa/ninthcycle/photos/downloads/sandbag01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.akdn.org/agency/akaa/ninthcycle/photos/downloads/sandbag01.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />The global need for housing includes millions refugees and displaced persons – victims of natural disasters and wars. Iranian architect Nader Khalili believes that this need can be addressed only by using the potential of earth construction.<br /><br />After extensive research into vernacular earth building methods in Iran, followed by detailed prototyping, he has developed the sandbag or ‘superadobe’ system. The basic construction technique involves filling sandbags with earth and laying them in courses in a circular plan. The circular courses are corbelled near the top to form a dome. Barbed wire is laid between courses to prevent the sandbags from shifting and to provide earthquake resistance. Hence the materials of war – sandbags and barbed wire – are used for peaceful ends, integrating traditional earth architecture with contemporary global safety requirements.<br /><br />The system employs the timeless forms of arches, domes and vaults to create single and double-curvature shell structures that are both strong and aesthetically pleasing. While these load-bearing or compression forms refer to the ancient mudbrick architecture of the Middle East, the use of barbed wire as a tensile element alludes to the portable tensile structures of nomadic cultures. The result is an extremely safe structure. The addition of barbed wire to the compression structures creates earthquake resistance; the aerodynamic form resists hurricanes; the use of sandbags aids flood resistance; and the earth itself provides insulation and fireproofing.<br /><br />Several design prototypes of domes and vaults were built and tested. The system is particularly suitable for providing temporary shelter because it is cheap and allows buildings to be quickly erected by hand by the occupants themselves with a minimum of training. The shelters focus on the economic empowerment of people by participation in the creation of their own homes and communities.urban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-66694410614326526562008-05-12T10:33:00.003+04:002008-05-14T22:43:20.493+04:00Report: Oxford's Middle East Centre, by Zaha Hadid<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.e-architect.co.uk/oxford/jpgs/middle_east_centre_oxford_zha250108_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.e-architect.co.uk/oxford/jpgs/middle_east_centre_oxford_zha250108_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The Middle East Centre of St. Antony’s College is the University of Oxford’s centre for interdisciplinary study of the Modern Middle East. The centre was founded in 1957 and it is focused on research on humanities and social sciences with a wide reference to the Arab World and its geographic adjacencies. The Centre research core is a specialized library and substantial paper and photographic archive covering material from 1800’s onwards. At present, the Middle East Centre’s Library and Administration facilities are housed in the former Rectory of the Church of SS. Philip and James at 68 Woodstock Road. The archive is housed in the basement of the neighbouring property at 66 Woodstock Road, sharing the building with other facilities and rooms of the college. The Middle East Centre also had 3 workrooms in the same property. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.e-architect.co.uk/oxford/jpgs/middle_east_centre_oxford_zha250108_4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.e-architect.co.uk/oxford/jpgs/middle_east_centre_oxford_zha250108_4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />To tie in with the St. Antony’s College future plans the Middle East Centre is planning a new Library and Archive to meet the current use for research and academic activities. Zaha Hadid Architects has been commissioned to design a scheme in the garden plot that separates 68 and 66-64 Woodstock Road. The new building has to comply with the college’s vision for growth and add formal coherence to the existing quad, and tie in with the ambition ADP’s masterplan for St. Antony’s college. <br /><br />www.zaha-hadid.com<br />www.sant.ox.ac.uk/mec/urban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-22168574085717042422008-05-10T03:30:00.005+04:002008-05-14T22:42:28.743+04:00Cafe. The Old Sana'a Market<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJKA_BkuzXcsl4yEj67WeB3MPwLcV4nSAhTAWUAFljH6b0c6Gx_7h5NfWlouTG92SNnXZ3KHgnF4RVCBBcLOd-zv9JpYTW2jEpDXuMJ_nYmf3xxiQyUeDgsvBMRBHByZkX04_bmNsQY8/s1600-h/morocco_mint_tea%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJKA_BkuzXcsl4yEj67WeB3MPwLcV4nSAhTAWUAFljH6b0c6Gx_7h5NfWlouTG92SNnXZ3KHgnF4RVCBBcLOd-zv9JpYTW2jEpDXuMJ_nYmf3xxiQyUeDgsvBMRBHByZkX04_bmNsQY8/s400/morocco_mint_tea%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198524925966299538" /></a><br /><br />There is nothing more rich then experiencing the uniqueness of the Middle East and what it has to offer. As frequent fliers to Sana'a now is the perfect time to visit the city. With its unique souqs and untouched market, the experience is extremely rich. <br /><br />Should you visit the old souq, pass by the Oud Qotor, opposite the honey quarter on the right passage. Known to brew the best tea with mint in the City.urban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-10096479420684866492008-05-10T03:26:00.003+04:002008-05-14T22:46:15.651+04:00Moroc - Rock n Roll<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.northwestern.edu/provost/students/circum2005/images_2005/Festival_3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.northwestern.edu/provost/students/circum2005/images_2005/Festival_3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The Gnawa music inspired a number of great musicians such as Jimmi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and others. Gnaoua music is a pentatonic music very similar to Blues music because both are rooted in the heart of Africa.<br /><br />Jimmy Page and Robert Plant went even further to create No Quarter in 1994. No Quarter is a fusion between gnaoua music and rock, following the steps of Randy Weston who was the first musician to fuse his jazz music with gnaoua in the 60's.<br /><br /><br />The Gnawa Festival takes place in Essaouira - The Wind City - that hosted the hippy movement in the 70's. Essaouira is a very vibrant place to be from its rich culture and history to its beaches and weather that makes it a heaven for windsurfers.<br /><br /><br />"Gnawa are the descendents of slaves originating from Black Africa who established brotherhoods throughout Morocco. They are made up of master musicians (maâlem), metal castanet players, clairvoyants, mediums and their followers.<br />They are at the same time musicians, initiators and healers, blending African and Arabo-Berber customs. Despite being Muslims, the Gnawa base their ritual on djinn (spirits) straight from the the African cult of possession.<br />The most spectacular and important ceremony is the Lila, whose function is essentially therapeutic.<br />During the celebration the maâlem and his group call on the saints and supernaturel entities to take possession of their followers who fall into trance."urban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-60307715707682061422008-05-09T03:46:00.003+04:002008-05-14T22:44:08.625+04:00A culture cluster. The Khatt Foundation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULeqCoCDRjDWmqNWTk227CdO1YtmjyIzFP-Mnomj0Bzvdnv6XXb_coXUufZ1jndsBIJH20nRfoKc5N4k3o70_XkljbkoxSdsvt9V-vxtODmvq7ZyfVAEJpy6wBSxPvy_yOyytyetMogk/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULeqCoCDRjDWmqNWTk227CdO1YtmjyIzFP-Mnomj0Bzvdnv6XXb_coXUufZ1jndsBIJH20nRfoKc5N4k3o70_XkljbkoxSdsvt9V-vxtODmvq7ZyfVAEJpy6wBSxPvy_yOyytyetMogk/s400/Picture+1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198158301772511906" /></a><br />Founded by HUDA SMITSHUIJZEN ABIFARES, WILLEM VELTHOVEN, OMAR SAIF GHOBASH, PROF. DR JAN JUST WITKAM, to endorse and advance the calligraphy culture in the middle east, the Khatt Foundation is a non-profit cultural foundation dedicated to design research and cultural exchange between Europe and the Arab World. <br /><br /><br />www.khtt.neturban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-46917486823926780392008-05-04T13:02:00.005+04:002008-05-14T22:41:59.768+04:00illustrators: brownbook's art issue<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6ftK1bHJn1fGmcwcM2FyUeMF83_mo_3-EDCH7LsqyZLeDaL7PcDPa0SAcwBjMwYxwIHvjhqzsz2XOWEicFvOdaKooNMiWk02nb3xq2SAlzUh0c2XZ2W4Qu6wjqY_AnWGdFHD3widJsg/s1600-h/lui-lei2OK.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6ftK1bHJn1fGmcwcM2FyUeMF83_mo_3-EDCH7LsqyZLeDaL7PcDPa0SAcwBjMwYxwIHvjhqzsz2XOWEicFvOdaKooNMiWk02nb3xq2SAlzUh0c2XZ2W4Qu6wjqY_AnWGdFHD3widJsg/s320/lui-lei2OK.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197287754706646082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUd_B5w7xtBDtUdh3g7uDAcSEZVKSKAPmdrpq1qyd1pupW7iBe1_aIMP7CStUp5gKYZbnLqqEKFPO_wkJQJhIDyYSZVWYkrLjg3bBUEAIZuIOpPk1Rgh7wj1rDmjZqQFi1HzXHks1NFQ/s1600-h/dubai2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUd_B5w7xtBDtUdh3g7uDAcSEZVKSKAPmdrpq1qyd1pupW7iBe1_aIMP7CStUp5gKYZbnLqqEKFPO_wkJQJhIDyYSZVWYkrLjg3bBUEAIZuIOpPk1Rgh7wj1rDmjZqQFi1HzXHks1NFQ/s320/dubai2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197287621562659890" /></a><br /><br />illustrated by delicatessen for brownbook issue nine. <br /><br />www.delica.iturban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-89312473890786228342008-05-01T14:30:00.001+04:002008-05-14T22:44:43.963+04:00Burqa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6Cb3o8btwAjf9mptW5_jo4c8nz2459MkG3yyycraql_0crcUNX7brHJNub09OTKo-HppnTRsciS4ItQe___P-DNzkzOeLR4ta7HBOVfrqyS2RLSM3LRmE5wxKAgh__vUVc49RNSR87U/s1600-h/Picture+3.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6Cb3o8btwAjf9mptW5_jo4c8nz2459MkG3yyycraql_0crcUNX7brHJNub09OTKo-HppnTRsciS4ItQe___P-DNzkzOeLR4ta7HBOVfrqyS2RLSM3LRmE5wxKAgh__vUVc49RNSR87U/s400/Picture+3.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195355061640522882" /></a><br />An enveloping garment usually made of leather and a special dye from India called ‘bogum’, that covers the leather and gives it its golden appearance. The Burqa is usually worn by elder women and is commonly used in the United Arab Emirates. <br /><br />www.burqa.aeurban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-24591582163568750232008-04-23T16:56:00.006+04:002008-05-14T22:47:44.816+04:00blog: The Ganzeer Arts Collective - Erratic Fantastic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ganzeer.com/images/products/kawalismasr/DSC05166.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.ganzeer.com/images/products/kawalismasr/DSC05166.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The minds behind this rather long overdue advancement in the Arab design belong to Ganzeer, who describe themselves as a ‘new experimental design unit’. Based out of Cairo, the Ganzeer team and their mishmash of talents combine together to produce and present their new creative expression to the world. Speaking to Mohammed Fahmy - the creative/visual expert and founder of Ganzeer, and Mohammed El-Motasem - creator of all film/motion based projects, we were able to get an insight into the inner workings of these crazy cats from Cairo.<br /><br />Fahmy is the instigator for Ganzeer, who decided to start something new after spending his time working for an internet company. Tired by being chained to his desk, he longed to branch out into his own space, an inventive, new space where art could be created and new ventures could be born.<br /><br />Upon asking them what kind of message they initially wanted to communicate through Ganzeer, their list was no small matter, reflecting the many scopes and genres they had no qualms in developing. Fahmy (code name ‘Mofa’) states the aims of the collective as, “Healthier lifestyles, positive attitudes, activism, making the world better, and love”. El-Motasem (code name ‘Tasem) fared no better in finding a single message that Ganzeer emitted, “Rebelliousness, activism, pro-activity and awareness - especially political awarenes”.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ganzeer.com/images/projects/misc/cairokee--/poster2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.ganzeer.com/images/projects/misc/cairokee--/poster2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />With all these purposes and aims to achieve, it is no surprise that Ganzeer have such a vast and varied portfolio. A look at their website gives you an idea of the exhaustive amount of projects they have lent their creativity to. What’s more impressive is the flexibility and the wide range of projects they can adapt to, there appears to be no bounds to their talent - the section on their project list marked ‘Misc.’ alone will intimidate you. Their projects range from producing corporate branding to producing murals to be used as interiors in public stores and restaurants.<br /><br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1WSHh8PYnAQ&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1WSHh8PYnAQ&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br />Speaking to Fahmy about the need for Ganzeer in the regional market, he described his reasonings into three different motivations. “I’ve always had a belief that you can create awesome art that truly communicates and brings out the positive in audiences via the usual commercial venues. That was one angle, the other was a desire in creating a true synergy between the arts; architecture, graphic design, photography, music etc - everything at its core is very much related, and when these different mediums interconnect and merge on different projects, the outcome can be astoundingly awesome. The third drive was a desire to bring out the local cultures to the scene. These cultures are part of our make, and play a strong part in shaping our characters and lifestyles and mindsets”.<br /><br />ganzeer.comurban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-55540039760696720352008-04-19T14:35:00.003+04:002008-05-14T22:47:03.399+04:00Profile: Noun Ya<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwAF_FqYYOndJCqfFxVDRFwWxozrscX8QDPhlRRzs_bJzD_jjcX7BDf1IHgcT-_gvB2jbWktX9rYmo6E3-txTlI6DgDxqHQiAokB7FajNydz9auO6HonL1NEC2rRNoTVTyOkeF1qo2YE/s1600-h/Picture+20.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwAF_FqYYOndJCqfFxVDRFwWxozrscX8QDPhlRRzs_bJzD_jjcX7BDf1IHgcT-_gvB2jbWktX9rYmo6E3-txTlI6DgDxqHQiAokB7FajNydz9auO6HonL1NEC2rRNoTVTyOkeF1qo2YE/s400/Picture+20.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190907733256306066" border="0" /></a><br />Since 2004, Naissam JALAL & Yann PITTARD perform together their "mystical and erotical" music from Extreme-East to Extreme-West (Cairo, Paris, festival Jazz à Vannes...).<br />They’ve developed some original orchestration’s technic : they’re only TWO but you can hear more (sometimes playing oud like a percussion, singing and blowing at the same time, with live loops...).<br />There’s NO synthetiser and NO pre-recorded samples, just live performing.<br /><br />They also work with Rayess_bek, orchestral hip-hop from Middle-east.<br />Individually, they perform with several bands from Mexico to Tokyo via Cairo, Beirut and Kolkata.<br /><br />check out the video on their myspace.<br /><br />www.myspace.com/nounyamusicurban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-22664559636772790972008-04-17T01:30:00.002+04:002008-04-17T01:38:36.661+04:00blogger: Dear God<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKcRPqpU6LrZCHsrsCLLEDbLVlRKA7NJCRvFfXTrCas5iICzjZIGPPPKW-kImwsg6mg86DHE230RK7rvnGHyb1eBjUoyQ3HEwZGuTohNmJlsLtOhKigAn5sAw8NNa5g1R3WaZpUNOHt8/s1600-h/Picture+27.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKcRPqpU6LrZCHsrsCLLEDbLVlRKA7NJCRvFfXTrCas5iICzjZIGPPPKW-kImwsg6mg86DHE230RK7rvnGHyb1eBjUoyQ3HEwZGuTohNmJlsLtOhKigAn5sAw8NNa5g1R3WaZpUNOHt8/s400/Picture+27.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189959014801418402" /></a><br />Dear God is a global project for people around the world to share their innermost hopes - and fears - through prayer.<br />It doesn’t matter what your version of God is…Jesus, Allah, Buddha or simply a spiritual universal energy… praying to a higher power soothes and heals. It’s scientifically proven that people who pray are healthier, happier and more resilient.<br /><br />www.dear-god.net<br /><br />via: thecoolhunter.neturban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-11300621069707169112008-04-14T01:34:00.005+04:002008-05-14T22:51:03.856+04:00Arab Film Festival - Berkley, LA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.aff.org/blog/uploaded_images/theroof-maha-kamal-798811.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.aff.org/blog/uploaded_images/theroof-maha-kamal-798811.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The Arab Film Festival is now accepting submissions for it’s 12th Annual Arab Film Festival, to be held in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Los Angeles October 16th - 31st 2008. AFF is the oldest and largest annual showcase of works by independent Arab filmmakers that provide insightful and innovative perspectives on Arab culture, art, history and politics. Founded in 1996 to display Arab culture to American audiences through the medium of film, AFF has grown into an important bridge between the Arab world, Arab-American communities, and the broader American public. The Arab Film Festival provides a unique venue for Arab filmmakers to screen their work, meet other filmmakers and make connections for future project.<br /><br />Deadline: 15th April.<br /><br /><br />www.aff.orgurban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-10109926773561203082008-04-10T18:04:00.003+04:002008-04-14T12:40:45.181+04:00brownbook's new office<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MftdS877reGeeuv5XJZfe27bWE2C5pcyDspGttOJAhfs6SIx3dasDbP4mjcu2ZXr_VtEg6acEfdoz0E4qVVCCXcz6pJtbTZakfOPVfx1jJ8IPIQ7Dr23FaKWGhw4R6PE_5I0JjcgRTM/s1600-h/IMG_0072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MftdS877reGeeuv5XJZfe27bWE2C5pcyDspGttOJAhfs6SIx3dasDbP4mjcu2ZXr_VtEg6acEfdoz0E4qVVCCXcz6pJtbTZakfOPVfx1jJ8IPIQ7Dr23FaKWGhw4R6PE_5I0JjcgRTM/s320/IMG_0072.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187625844951976434" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLh3MQwYPsNnbFAUFnn69UplWnn1xoukNXV1WZ6scldjauqoHwmKDskEDBa1hn4rgBm528x_Q0EnU0Xh5IcnU3KcVhPsH8Zy7SPZtP6pMDUF2acif2gxvSnJuuKK5bCecwxDjaTK41aw/s1600-h/IMG_0066.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLh3MQwYPsNnbFAUFnn69UplWnn1xoukNXV1WZ6scldjauqoHwmKDskEDBa1hn4rgBm528x_Q0EnU0Xh5IcnU3KcVhPsH8Zy7SPZtP6pMDUF2acif2gxvSnJuuKK5bCecwxDjaTK41aw/s320/IMG_0066.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187625441225050594" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rFpBth97OVT1_gdSsArQtcRzlDYDG2cIkeugyUJjxHqORafj7WOKrOvtLIpsSVe-I0l1mo-w2W2N9eI4cKPYPH59gO5bHrNOYDsqUO0-Aat4dnOMtUfqmBkVQw5rmtEh_pc3wFO28TA/s1600-h/IMG_0075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rFpBth97OVT1_gdSsArQtcRzlDYDG2cIkeugyUJjxHqORafj7WOKrOvtLIpsSVe-I0l1mo-w2W2N9eI4cKPYPH59gO5bHrNOYDsqUO0-Aat4dnOMtUfqmBkVQw5rmtEh_pc3wFO28TA/s320/IMG_0075.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187623779072707026" /></a>urban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-50252913889931641252008-04-08T13:24:00.002+04:002008-04-09T13:05:24.639+04:00Sajjadah 1426 - Prayer Rug by Soner Ozenc<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2005/10/3/sajjadah.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2005/10/3/sajjadah.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />A prayer rug is a small and portable carpet that Muslims put on the floor when they perform their prayers. Its main function is to provide a clean and isolated platform for the prayer. With the specific patterns on its surface, it also aims to bring the atmosphere of a mosque to wherever they take it.<br /><br />Muslims pray five times a day. The only product they need to perform their prayers is a prayer rug. And there is one thing they need to be careful about: the holy city of Mecca a” the direction towards which they should perform their prayers.<br /><br />As one of the main aims of a~Sajjadah 1426′ was to emphasize the values of the patterns on the prayer rug, lighting those patterns up was considered as the main approach from the very first stages of the concept. There were several technology alternatives to achieve this effect: mini LEDs, fibre optics, EL wire embroidery and EL panel. After the experiments done, the most appropriate one turned out to be the Electro Luminescent Phosphore Printing technology. EL wire embroidery has also been explored during the research part and a~mini glow wire’ was ordered from the UK-based company Surelight Ltd.<br /><br />‘Sajjadah 1426′ indicates the direction via the data coming from a compass module embedded inside it. The closer to the direction of Mecca it is turned, the brighter the patterns illuminate.<br /><br />‘Sajjadah 1426′ enriches the praying experience with the illuminated patterns on its surface. The word ’sajjadah’ is a Persian/Turkish word meaning ‘prayer rug’ and the number ‘1426′ stands for ‘2005′ in Islamic calendar.<br /><br />Designer: Soner Ozencurban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-64336975291723976882008-04-04T05:22:00.003+04:002008-04-09T13:05:55.743+04:00Martin Luther King // 40 year anniversary<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/o0FiCxZKuv8&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/o0FiCxZKuv8&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>urban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-75464105155608971712008-03-29T16:49:00.018+04:002008-04-09T13:06:45.183+04:00Persepolis"’What we wanted to say is, if these people [Iranians, Muslims] scare you, look closer: They have parents, they have lovers, they <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.newsarama.com/Creator_Owned/Persepolis/Persepoliscover1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.newsarama.com/Creator_Owned/Persepolis/Persepoliscover1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>have hope, they have stories,’ Marjane Satrapi told The Associated Press in an interview at a Cannes beach cafe. "Satrapi added: ‘The only real divide in this world is between the idiots and non-idiots.’" Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud’s Persepolis, one of the 22 films in the Cannes Film Festival’ Official Competition line-up, is based on Satrapi’s own experiences while growing up in Iran in the 1970s and early 1980s. <br />Some of the voices heard in the French-language version of the animated tale belong to Catherine Deneuve, Danielle Darrieux, and Chiara Mastroianni (as Satrapi), Deneuve’s daughter with Marcello Mastroianni.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.exclaim.ca/images/up-Persepolis_lg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://www.exclaim.ca/images/up-Persepolis_lg.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://imu.uiowa.edu/now/event_images/fullsize/313.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://imu.uiowa.edu/now/event_images/fullsize/313.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>urban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-39855749243199396552008-03-26T23:49:00.007+04:002008-03-29T01:35:33.935+04:00Living under the Crescent MoonThe exhibition hosted at the vitra design museum demonstrates the diversity of domestic lifestyles between Morocco, Syria and the Arabian peninsula - from the nomadic tents of the Tuareg or Bedouins to Moroccan casbahs; from the grand courtyard houses in cities such as Marrakech, Damascus or Cairo to buildings by twentieth-century architects like Hassan Fathy, Elie Mouyal or Abdelwahed El-Wakil.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_Oa-snrucR_secm25vjXH0vUElNi4M-HRrcNcAP8YVdoY18CQlea_q4Fmy5t0T784uwYw2WHIx0Ip4tOI19KfK3DylihFhWmy-REHmTRyAk362on1wt65dN5HaDZBSZy2yPOjSzxNFE/s1600-h/halbmond_10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_Oa-snrucR_secm25vjXH0vUElNi4M-HRrcNcAP8YVdoY18CQlea_q4Fmy5t0T784uwYw2WHIx0Ip4tOI19KfK3DylihFhWmy-REHmTRyAk362on1wt65dN5HaDZBSZy2yPOjSzxNFE/s320/halbmond_10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182908899443699026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0juP2-WveMOEZYlMlwKqOMn1av83NX_xJEhgojmCFmPkmmcrMTcqhl4oFoVol9W8Iy-WGzwnEftEbNavj-OQVQQDwNHu3iv5ueHfMYfF9Q0f8H5etAONI4bVyGz1vh-OkDuJ7Kte-BFI/s1600-h/halbmond_07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0juP2-WveMOEZYlMlwKqOMn1av83NX_xJEhgojmCFmPkmmcrMTcqhl4oFoVol9W8Iy-WGzwnEftEbNavj-OQVQQDwNHu3iv5ueHfMYfF9Q0f8H5etAONI4bVyGz1vh-OkDuJ7Kte-BFI/s320/halbmond_07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182908912328600930" border="0" /></a><br />23.02.2008 - 31.08.2008, Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein<br />16.11.2007 - 08.12.2007, Ex Cathédrale du Sacré Coeur, Casablanca<br />23.03.2007 - 27.05.2007, National Museum of Singapore, Singapore<br />23.11.2006 - 04.02.2007, TCDC Thailand Creative and Design Center, Bangkok<br />02.12.2005 - 22.01.2006, Arquerias de Nuevos Ministerios, Madrid<br />11.06.2005 - 18.09.2005, MART, Rovereto<br />23.09.2004 - 09.01.2005, Kunsthal, Rotterdam<br />17.06.2004 - 22.08.2004, IVAM, Valencia<br />21.07.2003 - 18.01.2004, Vitra Design Museum, Berlin<br /><a href="http://www.design-museum.de/museum/ausstellungen/halbmond/index.php?language=en">Living under the crescent moon </a>urban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-4156091020047257992008-03-25T15:12:00.005+04:002008-03-30T12:40:08.265+04:00Travel: Faraya, Lebanon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.embassyoflebanon.com.cy/skiing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.embassyoflebanon.com.cy/skiing.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.habeeb.com/images/lebanon.faraya.002.snow.skiing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.habeeb.com/images/lebanon.faraya.002.snow.skiing.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The snowy peaks of Mount Lebanon await you with their 80 Km of sun-drenched skiing trails. This is the home of The InterContinental Mzaar Resort & Spa, the only 5 stars hotel in the region, located at less than an hour drive from Beirut. Nestled between sky, mountains and sea, it is surrounded by a dazzling palette of leisure and archaeological sites. The Mzaar InterContinental is a palace of excitement when it comes to ski pleasures, but it also offers year-round indoor and outdoor activities. From its famous spa to its international cuisine and the late night entertainment at the in-house and nearby clubs, The InterContinental hotel cannot disappoint. <br /><br />Hotel booking. <br />Hotel 11 - Faraya Kfardebian, Ouyoune Al Simane<br />+961-70-103222<br /><br />Travel <br />Emirates <br />Dubai > Beirut <br />AED 1650urban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-6229640876958994822008-03-24T18:44:00.008+04:002008-03-27T13:19:39.657+04:00Hayv Kahraman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uAOowZC5ddmInGXCXPBc9dv_rr2tvp7O9SCaC-GalV90a8_HXVS9Pt8jz0YRN2DK9aMu3FwZzn5e7ely2Ob5dKs3augCRXIqG_hFYTfPVF4l78cavmzpoJpqWaejtwwLtWVwoawf7p4/s1600-h/2391-500-633.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uAOowZC5ddmInGXCXPBc9dv_rr2tvp7O9SCaC-GalV90a8_HXVS9Pt8jz0YRN2DK9aMu3FwZzn5e7ely2Ob5dKs3augCRXIqG_hFYTfPVF4l78cavmzpoJpqWaejtwwLtWVwoawf7p4/s400/2391-500-633.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181391573397368114" border="0" /></a><br />Hayv Kahraman was born in Baghdad, Iraq 1981 and moved to Sweden at the age of 11. She began painting in oil at the age of 12 and soon after had several successful exhibitions in Sweden.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcagVjACg6OS-d0ZvvkcIFCqOQTfXnDCtn1vLzTK2YejBFW103XAud5ZmMR13ovnY1dmUGyybBgWZGXgFyAh5NaptJ321rGgDXHTEpsfYCsyuGEabv7BPv-mn_bWw9LIQoHTtTwsJeZVw/s1600-h/hayv1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcagVjACg6OS-d0ZvvkcIFCqOQTfXnDCtn1vLzTK2YejBFW103XAud5ZmMR13ovnY1dmUGyybBgWZGXgFyAh5NaptJ321rGgDXHTEpsfYCsyuGEabv7BPv-mn_bWw9LIQoHTtTwsJeZVw/s400/hayv1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181390314971950370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgCVAnLAU7_o_d3feDcr5bMulpexUmV21XDMwPNs1Zr9R49W5t_90SkcfxGOGbIdZO5XqPMc2syHDKZ_3Z9PhvrAvEnUQM0-NvkXPhUuZ2GZBHiIRm2hAIB_WYdApCcqhgtycjkXAd66g/s400/matrioska.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgCVAnLAU7_o_d3feDcr5bMulpexUmV21XDMwPNs1Zr9R49W5t_90SkcfxGOGbIdZO5XqPMc2syHDKZ_3Z9PhvrAvEnUQM0-NvkXPhUuZ2GZBHiIRm2hAIB_WYdApCcqhgtycjkXAd66g/s400/matrioska.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />www.hayfdesign.comurban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-42358269872533679222008-03-24T18:42:00.002+04:002008-03-24T22:45:37.915+04:00Arabeastern.com<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.arabeastern.com/images/arabeastern.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.arabeastern.com/images/arabeastern.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>urban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-54500114083095867372008-03-21T15:24:00.004+04:002008-03-21T16:46:10.777+04:00brownbook partners with Tanjazz<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://pascal.bouclier.club.fr/tanjazz2007/web-content/galerie_continental_acoustique/content/bin/images/large/continental_acoustique022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://pascal.bouclier.club.fr/tanjazz2007/web-content/galerie_continental_acoustique/content/bin/images/large/continental_acoustique022.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://pascal.bouclier.club.fr/tanjazz2007/web-content/galerie_continental_acoustique/content/bin/images/large/continental_acoustique068.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://pascal.bouclier.club.fr/tanjazz2007/web-content/galerie_continental_acoustique/content/bin/images/large/continental_acoustique068.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tanjazz.org/images/illustration-2008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.tanjazz.org/images/illustration-2008.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />For more information and tickets please contact - team@brownbookmag.comurban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-35207247112895606222008-03-20T16:26:00.008+04:002008-03-21T16:45:01.290+04:00mobile phones in Emirates airlines<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/blog/casablanca.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/blog/casablanca.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Emirates has become the first airline in the world to launch an in-flight mobile telephone service.<br /><br />An aircraft en-route to Casablanca today offered the service to passengers. A second aircraft will follow suit shortly.urban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-71365249204381616902008-03-20T00:38:00.003+04:002008-03-21T16:26:48.524+04:00download brownbook urban guides.you can now download brownbook urban guides online on the side banner. the online urban guides will soon cover the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.brownbag.ae/Cairo.pdf">Cairo</a><br /><a href="http://www.brownbag.ae/Dubai.pdf">Dubai</a><br /><a href="http://www.brownbag.ae/Manama1.pdf">Manama</a>urban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365446749696735523.post-9391692922704578162008-03-18T21:08:00.007+04:002008-03-21T16:46:58.992+04:00Earth hour - March 29th, 2008 - 8pm -<object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HE3WPIKYkuc&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HE3WPIKYkuc&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br />Those that set aside one hour to reduce their energy consumption, by turning off unneeded lights and any appliances on standby, will be joining in a world wide movement. Following Earth Hour’s success in 2007, where more then 2 million people reduced their energy demand and Sydney’s landmark buildings where left unlit, Earth Hour has grown to cover 24 cities worldwide.<br /><br />earthhour.orgurban guide to the middle easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920495861915831479noreply@blogger.com0