Hey there,

You may be heading out the door to your office, or perhaps settling into your workspace at home to begin the day. Whether your commute takes minutes or miles, whether you work remotely or in an office, there is one place that remains constant: home. It is where your day begins and where it comes to a close. It is the backdrop to your routines, your moments of rest, and the life you build between them.

Yet how often do we pause to consider how our homes make us feel? How much thought do we give to shaping them in ways that support our mood, reflect our personality, and bring a sense of comfort to everyday living? In this edition, we explore the many ways a home can be designed to feel warmer, more intimate, and personal. From the texture of a rug to the craftsmanship of carved wooden accents and the richness of layered textiles, even the smallest details can transform a space.

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This young Egyptian artist once gained widespread attention for a bold performance that visually confronted sexual harassment in public spaces. She designed an outfit covered with messages highlighting the daily verbal and physical harassment women face, transforming her clothing into a statement of resistance. The project sparked strong reactions online, both praising her courage and challenging societal norms around gender and public behavior, and it opened a broader conversation about the pervasive issue of harassment in Egypt.

Art does not need to exist solely within the confines of a gallery wall; it can also take the form of performance, using the body itself as a medium for communication. This is what makes Sara's work particularly powerful. Through a simple yet striking concept, she illustrates how acts of sexual harassment can leave lasting marks, transforming words into stains that cling not only to a woman's clothing but also to her sense of self.

Discover more here.

Our homes often become archives of our emotions, holding memories of joy, grief, healing, and reflection. Objects we interact with every day can absorb personal meaning over time, transforming ordinary spaces into emotional landscapes that reflect our inner lives. Drawing on this idea, a group of designers explored how textiles can carry personal stories, translating emotions such as vulnerability, resilience, identity, and self-doubt into visual forms. Through handcrafted pieces that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary expression, they demonstrate how design can act as a bridge between personal narratives and shared human experiences, inviting people to engage with emotions that are often left unspoken.

Read the article here.

As urban life becomes increasingly fast-paced and overwhelming, many people are turning to minimalist interiors as a way to create a sense of calm and balance at home. Clean lines, neutral colors, natural materials, and uncluttered spaces have become appealing not only for their aesthetic qualities but also for the comfort and order they bring to everyday life. Social media and changing lifestyles have further encouraged this shift, making simplicity an increasingly popular design choice. At the same time, minimalism is being adapted to local contexts rather than replacing existing traditions. Designers are blending contemporary simplicity with handcrafted elements, natural textures, and cultural influences to create spaces that feel both modern and personal. While some question whether minimalist trends can coexist with more decorative styles, others see them as an opportunity to rethink how homes can reflect both functionality and identity.

Read the article here.

Women’s voices are often conveyed through the dialogue of female characters, but in Alifa Rifaat’s writing, those voices emerge directly from women’s inner thoughts. Her female characters speak openly and fearlessly, expressing every feeling and opinion a woman might have, even during moments of intimacy with her husband. The story begins with a woman lying beside her sleeping husband, reflecting on how little he cares about her desires. Although her marriage appears respectable from the outside, she feels unfulfilled, especially sexually. Her husband treats intimacy in a mechanical and self-centered way, focusing solely on his own pleasure while her needs and emotions remain neglected and unspoken.

Read more here.

Hannen by the Syrian-German duo Shkoon (Ameen Khayer and Thorben Diekmann) blends the use of Mawwal (a traditional, improvisational style of Arabic vocal storytelling) with deep house, ambient techno, and downbeat electronica. Lyrically, it addresses geopolitical trauma, exile, and collective memory, sampling a revolutionary chant and placing it in a modern club/festival setting. Ameen Khayer himself fled Syria as a refugee, walking thousands of kilometers to Germany before meeting Thorben. For millions of displaced people across the Middle East who are watching their home countries go through warfare, the track's title ("Hannen" hints at longing, tenderness, or nostalgia) evokes the painful ache of watching a homeland suffer from a distance.

Listen here.

'Spring Has Come Laughing' is the first feature film by director Noha Adel. It tells four short stories that unfold during the spring season, taking the famous quatrain by the late poet Salah Jahin, 'Spring came laughing, found me sad,' as its title and starting point. The film's actresses were chosen by the director from among non-professionals.

The director presents four tales that fluctuate between anger, sorrow, and tears hidden behind the characters' laughter during the spring. However, as the flowers begin to wither, autumn arrives to conclude the stories in unexpected ways. The tales focus on stories about women, revealing relationships that begin rosy, laughing, and full of trust and hope, only to transform into sudden battles where each side uncovers the other's hidden secrets.

Watch it here.

Summer always brings a wave of creative food inventions and unexpected cravings. Whether it's our appetite for something new or simply a desire to chase that unmistakable summer excitement, one thing is certain: we're always on the lookout for the next viral bite. If you're craving that summer thrill, Takosan's newly launched sushi tacos are worth adding to your must-try list. Already making waves online, this unique creation combines the best of comfort food and sushi-inspired flavors. Think of it as a burger reimagined: crispy fried rice patties coated in golden panko breadcrumbs, stuffed with a creamy crab stick mixture tossed in sauce and fresh scallions.

Find out more here.

The calm of the womb is incomparable to the disorder of the outside world. They may belong to the same world, yet they feel worlds apart. While life beyond can be unpredictable and chaotic, the womb remains a place of complete stillness and balance. Amid the turbulence of the current world, Egyptian artist Shady Hamed explores stillness as a fertile space for reflection and transformation. His work invites us back to the realm of the womb, a state of quietude that remains untouched by the chaos beyond it.

Find out more here.

For 1,400 years, the rituals of Hajj have remained unchanged. The circling of the Kaaba in Mecca, the standing at Arafat, the symbolic stoning at Mina, the journey on foot between sacred sites: these are practices that connect every Muslim performing them today directly to the practices of the seventh century. Nothing about the spiritual core of the pilgrimage has been modernised, and nothing about it should be. What has been modernised, and dramatically so, is the infrastructure that allows 1.7 million people to perform those rituals together in the space of five days without harm.

Read more here.