The truth is, I do not love holidays. This painful fact was particularly noticeable to me in recent weeks, when current events, historical commemorations and various religious holidays all seemed to converge in time. These moments are said to bring people together, to create joy, connection, and shared meaning. Yet for me, they have often deepened my sense of distance. I have the good fortune to have kind and attentive friends, and acquaintances that span the globe. For each holiday, I...

Words don’t travel empty. They carry history, power, and assumptions. If we want a future that is not defined by brute force, hate and destruction - a world where we can again enjoy Sheikh al-Mahshi in all its lovely variations - we need to ask not just what the law says, but what it really means. Maybe, before anything else, we simply need to learn to ask each other: "What does that word mean to you?" And then, be prepared to listen.

Yesterday, I appeared in an interview with the Swedish Arabic language media platform “Alkompis”, to talk about the challenges people with disabilities are facing in Sweden today. Sweden has long been known for its respect of human rights and progressive policies. But over the past decades, healthcare, social insurances, and a large number of other public services in Sweden have been exposed to budget cuts. This affects essential public meeting spaces - for instance libraries, civil society...