After holding it in for so long, I’m beyond happy (and proud!!) to FINALLY share one of @gqmiddleeast ‘s MOTY stars, the iconic @haifawehbe - who I had the utmost pleasure talking to and writing about. Ever since the early 2000s, Haifa Wehbe was lusted after, vilified, and reduced to silly little tabloid headlines from journalists who purposely asked silly questions. But through it all, Wehbe remained as fun, flirty, and feminine as she always is. And before any modern diva in today’s Arab pop culture, Haifa Wehbe was here first.
Thank you Haifa, for trusting me with your answers and time. ♥️
I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! 🥹
Earlier this year, for @players Qatar issue, I had a great time reviewing Art Basel Qatar. You can now read it online. ✍🏻
And though some time has passed and the GCC has undergone plenty of events, looking back at the art and re-reading the text, the cynicism and overcompensating positivity that some of the artwork carried couldn’t ring any truer to how the art speaks for the general collective psyche.
And of course, thank you @genevieve_g_walker — always a delight to be working with you 🫶🏻
For my last issue at GQ Middle East (March), I had the pleasure of speaking to so many delightful people, and a couple whom I have the privilege of having befriended over the years. Wonderful profiles on talented individuals, and of course, it wouldn’t be a complete issue without a long feature — this time about what it takes to build a sustainable brand in the region. Thank you for trusting me with your stories; it’s been a pleasure to write about you all.
Stories are available online on the GQ ME website. 🫶🏻
Two years ago I wrote a poem for Rotating Histories: Chutneys, Bread, and the Taste of Resilience by @two_odd_ at Alserkal Avenue as part of What The Food Festival.
I wanted the poem to explore how traditions survive after displacement, often in softened forms as they’re translated to fit someone else’s table. I also wanted to write about political violence through domestic rituals that are equally universal and intimate. I believe it’s something that a lot of people from the region can relate to; unfortunately.
Grateful to have had the chance to experiment with this, massive thank you to @akshitagarud 💌
For one of my last pieces for GQ Middle East, I wrote about something deeply personal, and sensitive, but necessary.
My battle with anorexia in my mid and late teens tarnished so many parts of my life, such as my relationship with discipline, with people, with food, with my own reflection. For years, I felt alone inside those thoughts, but I know I wasn’t the only one.
In our region, conversations around body image and eating disorders still carry stigma. And during a month like Ramadan, when food becomes both sacred and central, those feelings can intensify in ways we don’t always speak about.
I wanted to write something that shows that we can hold these conversations without fear. That Muslims, too, deserve safe spaces to talk about the friction between their belief, body, and struggle…and also how faith can help.
More than anything, I hope it reaches someone who needs it.
And thank you @mariamshamma and @rafikillustration for sharing your stories with me, and trusting me with your vulnerability 🥹🫂
Two weeks ago marked my last week at GQ Middle East. It’s been a fun year of pitching, writing, editing, and stubbornly believing in (at times, crazy) long-form features. I’m proud of the stories we pushed, the profiles we shaped, and the many ideas that began as half-sentences in my notes app.
And of course, nothing beats profiling Haifa Wehbe — will remain a forever pinch-me moment.
Grateful to the entire GQ team, and to the brilliant writers and collaborators I had the privilege of working with. We made some good things 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
