The afikra | عفكرة Community

The global network reframing how we understand the Arab World's cultures, histories, and futures.

About afikra

afikra is a movement to (re)discover what questions shape life in the Arab world - past, present, and future. Just as the Arabic phrase afikra عفكرة is used to convey another perspective or share new information, afikra is a collective effort to expand the region’s discourse by carrying conversation forward. Our platform creates experiences that cultivate curiosity, amplify untapped narratives, and support the pursuit of knowledge through fellowship. 

By the Numbers: 

Our Core Values

  • CONTRIBUTION OVER CONSUMPTION
    We cultivate a space of collective growth through contribution rather than consumption or capital gain. 
  • INTERESTS OVER IDENTITY
    We define our community members by what their interests in the region’s past, present & future. We do not put importance on simplistic identifiers. 
  • CURIOSITY OVER PROMOTIONALISM
    We ask our community to lead with questions followed by inquiry and research, but not with judgements, opinions, or self-serving agendas.
  • COMMUNITY OVER EXCLUSIVITY
    We welcome everyone to any of afikra’s spaces, because they are designed to gather a diversity of perspectives.
  • KINDNESS ABOVE ALL
    We emphasize the significance of kindness, in that the act of sharing knowledge is an act of generosity.