The Arabist

The Arabist

By Issandr El Amrani and friends.

Sacred Objects

I quite liked this short essay by Sophia Al Maria in the last issue of Bidoun, about the proliferation of miraculous appearances of Allah's name spelled in baby's ears, fishes scales, etc. (sort of reminds me of the many appearances of Jesus in the vegetables and washing machines of suburban American moms, as reported by the News of the World). I haven't gotten my hands on a hard copy of the magazine, and only a few essays are available online, but this issue--full of short essay about various "objects" in the Middle East--looks good.