Hey there,

It would be easy to begin this newsletter with yet another news alert about what’s unfolding across the region. But what if we did the opposite? What if, instead, we took a moment, however brief, to pause amid the constant noise and motion that surrounds us?

Writers have long reflected on moments like these. In many ways, the most perceptive economists and politicians are often the strongest storytellers as well, because they can sense when a story is beginning to move in a certain direction.

And is the story over yet? Not quite. It is still unfolding, and for now all we can do is keep reading, hoping that, in the end, it finds its way to a hopeful ending… or at least something close to one.

Warm regards,

The time and effort behind this newsletter come from the Egyptian Streets team of independent, grassroots journalists. By subscribing for just USD 1.66 per month (EGP 80), or as little as USD 0.84 per month (EGP 40) for students (paid annually), you’re directly supporting the creation of content like this and helping sustain independent media in Egypt.

Support our work and subscribe by clicking here.

Finding your own niche or voice as an artist can be a journey in itself. It takes patience, and it’s not something you can rush, because it rarely appears all at once. It appears slowly, in its own time, and perhaps that is how it is meant to be. This is very much the path that Deena Mohamed followed, a journey that eventually earned her Best Graphic Novel and the Grand Prize at the Cairo Comix Festival in 2017. Deena is a comic artist, illustrator, and designer.

Set in a uniquely Egyptian world and grounded in authentically Cairene themes, her urban fantasy graphic novel trilogy Shubeik Lubeik looks at the many intersecting stories and identities that call Egypt home. One of Mohamed’s key techniques is using popular storytelling formats, like superheroes or fantasy, as tools for social critique. For example, her webcomic Qahera features a hijab-wearing superhero, but she describes it less as a traditional superhero story and more as a satirical editorial comic that uses superhero tropes to discuss issues such as misogyny and Islamophobia.

Another core part of her formula is normalizing the realities of Egyptian society. For instance, she frequently depicts visibly Muslim women simply because that reflects everyday life in Egypt, not as a deliberate political statement.

Discover her work here.

Traditionally, Palestinian writing has focused on resistance, loss, identity, and memory, grounding narratives in the lived experience of occupation and struggle. In the anthology Palestine +100, however, a dozen authors take a bolder step and use imagined futures and speculative scenarios to grapple with themes that remain painfully relevant today. When imagination meets the weight of history, it becomes a bridge to the future rather than a chain to the past. In Palestine +100, Palestinian writers turn to science fiction to explore it from new angles, asking what freedom, identity, and survival might look like a century after the Nakba.

Read the article here.

For many, science fiction conjures images of futuristic machines and distant galaxies, yet across the Arab world, writers and filmmakers have long used these very elements to question power, colonialism, identity, and the future. Unlike Western sci‑fi, which often reflects the perspective of empire and exploration outward, Arab science fiction has historically used the genre’s language, the dreams of other worlds and alternative realities, to look inward, to critique occupation, and to imagine self‑determination. Whether through mid‑20th‑century radio plays, Cold War‑era space fantasies, or contemporary dystopian tales, these works have mirrored moments of upheaval and hope, blending myth, history, and futurism. In reclaiming speculative fiction, Arab storytellers not only point toward new worlds, but also invite us to reflect on where we come from, who we are, and what kinds of futures we might shape.

Read the article here.

Although Ahmed Khaled Towfik is best known for his science fiction and horror stories, this book focuses on his inner thoughts and feelings rather than fictional adventures. The poems explore themes such as memories, emotions, personal reflection, and the passage of time. Through these poems, readers get a glimpse into the writer’s mind during different periods of his youth and early adulthood. The poems were originally kept in a personal notebook and were later published by his family so that readers could discover another dimension of his writing. This collection shows that before Towfik became famous for his novels and series, he had already been expressing his thoughts and emotions through poetry.

Read more here.

Written during a difficult time in Lebanon’s history, Li Beirut by Fairuz expresses deep sorrow for a wounded city while also showing hope and loyalty to its people. Listening to Li Beirut today reminds us that music can connect us across borders and help us share each other’s struggles and hopes. Especially with many challenging events happening in the region right now, the song encourages listeners to reflect, empathize, and stand together in solidarity with those facing hardship.

Listen here.

Watching The Bureau of Legends encourages viewers to think critically about the hidden forces that shape world events. Unlike many spy dramas that focus mainly on action, this show stands out for its realism and its deep exploration of the human and political consequences of intelligence work. It follows undercover agents whose missions in places such as Syria and Iran reveal how wars and geopolitical struggles influence diplomacy, security, and personal identity.

Watch it here.

Looking for a cozy twist on your usual chocolate fix? Try the Dates Hot Chocolate by Moko Chocolate; a rich, velvety drink where deep cocoa meets the natural sweetness of dates. It’s warm, comforting, and just the right kind of indulgent.

Find out more here.

The exhibition “Menawwareen 3” at Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art is a unique opportunity to experience contemporary art in a way that feels both immersive and culturally meaningful. Bringing together a group of Egyptian and Egypt-based artists, the exhibition explores light as a creative medium, using illumination, colour, reflection, movement, and shadow to transform the gallery space into an interactive visual experience. Inspired by the tradition of lighting streets during Ramadan, the works connect modern artistic experimentation with familiar cultural symbols, making the exhibition especially resonant during this time of year.

Find out more here.

ArtTalks returns with its fourth edition in solidarity with Palestine, bringing together artists from Gaza who were forced to leave their homeland and rebuild their lives in Egypt. From emerging young voices to established figures, these artists share a story of loss and resilience: many fled without their artworks, their studios, or the years of creativity they left behind. This exhibition is also a response to a broader attempt at cultural erasure. When the British Museum recently removed the name “Palestine” from its ancient Middle East galleries, citing historical neutrality, it sparked a powerful reaction. “The Name is Palestine” brings together 28 Palestinian and Egyptian artists to affirm what labels cannot erase: the presence, history, and cultural identity of a people and their land.

Find out more here.

Riyadh’s restaurant boom is no longer a future promise; it is a fully fledged urban transformation, driven as much by master-planned districts and holding companies as by chefs and Instagram feeds.

What was once a city of family grills, hotel buffets and shawarma joints is quietly becoming one of the Gulf’s most ambitious dining laboratories, where imported brands and local operators test how far Saudi diners are willing, and able, to go.

Read more here.