Meydan politics: Taksim in flux after Gezi
Meydan is defined in Turkish as “an open field,” “a place for recreation, contests and meetings.” In the eighteenth century, Taksim was a vast clearing, home to an intricate water distribution system, equestrian circus companies and traveling salesmen. Though a far sight from today’s concrete plateau surrounded by office buildings, hotels, a defunct opera house, döner shops, and a forlorn park, Taksim still retains a dynamism that is unique to meydans.
Source: Jadaliyya
Habibi funk: listen tothe 3rd edition of our favorite mix tape of Arab songs from the 60s/70s
Earlier this month I was in North Africa for another digging trip and ended up finding quite some records I didn’t know before or I had no copy of so I felt it was time for another mix. After every mix I make I feel like, 'Uhh, getting enough records I like for the next one will be tough'. But every time I end up getting proven wrong by the rich musical heritage of Arabic musicians that worked on combining local influences with western musical traditions. Just like Dalton, the Tunisian band we just re-released on our new Habibi Funk label, who are also prominently featured on this mix.
Source: Your Middle East
Hardliners call for celebrity to be blacklisted after pro-gay tweet
Across Tehran, billboards featuring the face of Bahran Radan are being torn down, removed from movie theater entrances and the capital’s busiest streets. People who have not had the chance to see Radan’s latest advert for Modern Leatherwear — the superstar is pictured in a leather jacket, winking a little, his head lowered slightly — are now out of luck. Not long after Radan tweeted what appeared to a pro-gay comment, hardliner media lashed out, leading authorities to order the immediate removal of the posters. Following on from this, a source from the Ministry of Islamic Guidance and Culture told IranWire that Radan could be banned from continuing his work as an actor and model.
Source: IranWire
