Marah Bukai is an intellectual entrepreneur new to the Atlas network. Marah Bukai is a Syrian American poet, academic researcher and journalist who spent her professional life to bridge understanding and cultural dialogue between the United States and the Arab and Muslim worlds.
Bukai have always been passionate about teaching and writing in Arabic language, and exploring the beauty and eloquence of her mother tongue.
Born in Syria, educated in France, and currently living in the United States, Marah Bukai has worked to build bridges across cultures. As a professor, a writer, and an advocate for change, Bukai strives to build cross-cultural understanding through her work and her poetry.
Bukai received her BA of Arts, Department of Languages and French Literature, from Damascus University in Syria, and Her MA in Arabic and Islamic Civilization Studies from University of Strasbourg in France.
Bukai has five publications of poetry, and her most recent book of poetry “O” was published by Waref Publishing House in DC.
“O” is a unique collection of poignant poems, delving into the infinite anomalies of the world. Tackling issues of religion, sexuality, and self identity, Bukai accentuates the injustice and hypocrisy plaguing today’s humanity.
Fighting the corruption of politics and power, Marah Bukai shouts attention to the deceit of fundamentalism, extremism, and nationalism. Using images of love and war, Bukai paints a masterpiece of emotion; highlighting the pain she feels for the suffering of humanity and the anger she feels towards the causes of such suffering.
Marah Bukai’s global vision sends a message to the world. Recognizing the lack of tolerance on all levels of society, Bukai confronts the growing disparity between differing ideologies with a voice of reason and understanding. Her ability to synthesize the complexities of the socio-political situation in the Middle East into poetry allows the reader to become acquainted with the rugged emotionality of conflict.
Bukai is a journalist who writes on cultural, political, and contemporary Islamic issues in Arabic and English newspapers, journals and websites. She worked for the last four years as the Senior Editor of “Hi” magazine, which is a cultural magazine that addresses American culture topic, written in Arabic language, with more than 300.000 readers all over 23 Arab countries. Bukai has recently selected by the publisher of the "Best of DC" book to be featured among the celebrities and prominent figures of Washington DC, through "Honorable Mention" pages of the book. The selection "is based to her remarkable achievement in academic, cultural, and media research, and as recognition of her distinguished role, through her professional life, to bridge understanding and dialogue between the United and the Arab and Muslim worlds".
Bukai has nominated by the CAMPUS WATCH project of the Middle East Forum as one of the most thoughtful and balanced scholars among the Middle East Studies faculties in North America. Bukai is the Senior Media Adviser at Vital Voices Global Partnership , and the Senior Editor at The Business Women’s Network, MENA BWN, in the Middle East and North Africa region.Bukai is a Member of Honor and the Senior Media Adviser at Atlas Global Initiative's Arabic project Minbar Al Hurriyya.
Bukai has taught Arabic and French language at DLS institute in Arlington VA, and Berlitz School in DC. Currently, she is a part time professor of Arabic Language, a Faculty researcher, and an occasionally lecturer on Arabic culture and politic at the University of Maryland , College Park (UMCP).
In 2008 she had the honor to establish the “Contemporary Islam” class at the Georgetown University (CCPE). “Contemporary Islam is a controversial term that often stirs deep passions among Muslims. However, a significant number of Muslim reformers use the term to signify a necessary evolution in Muslim thinking that is long overdue and in particular in the post 9/11 terrorist attacks. This course is an intensive and comprehensive introduction to the voice of these Muslim reformers who fearlessly challenge Muslim extremists and those who justify terrorism” she said. The course aims to increase the level of knowledge and understanding between the people of the Muslim world and the WestTo learn more and to add your comment go to:
http://atlasnetwork.org/networknews/marah-bukai-new-atlas-ie-from-the-middle-east/
