8 Best Arabic Literature Podcasts to Listen to (2026)

BULAQ is a book-centric podcast co-hosted by Ursula Lindsey (in Amman, Jordan) and M Lynx Qualey (in Rabat, Morocco). It focuses on Arabic literature in translation and is named after the first printing press established in Egypt in 1820. Produced by Sowt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

سمرٌ على وجه القمر ، حيث لم يصل أحدٌ قبل الأدباء ، حوارات بيضاء جدًا ، مع من يجيدون إلباس الأشياء الواضحة لباس الغموض ؛ مع الأدباء ..الشعر، الرواية، القصة، النقد، وأسمار أخرى.. more

A podcast exploring classical Arabic literature. Each episode is a conversation on a writer, a book, or a theme between James Montgomery (the Sir Thomas Adams's Professor of Arabic at the University of Cambridge, Fellow of the British Academy, and a founding editor of the Library of Arabic Literature) and Lydia Wilson (a writer and journalist). more

Formerly afikra's Book Club, this podcast series calls on anyone who is interested in literature from the Arab world to spend time reading along with the entire afikra community and discover some of the best books and writers that came out of the region. We interview Arab authors about books they've written in Arabic or English (and sometimes French), and non-Arab authors who have written extensively about the region, delving into their literary journey until present day. We also invite bookworms to dissect some of the most noteworthy literary works from the region. more

With millions of downloads, hundreds of hours of soundtracked content, and an overall emphasis on the cultural history behind famous works of literature, Literature and History is one of the most popular independent podcasts on its subject. Starting with Sumerian cuneiform in 3,100 BCE, Literature and History moves forward in chronological order through Assyriology, Egyptology, the Old Testament, Ancient Greece and Rome, the birth of Christianity, and the early Middle Ages. The show's current season is on early Islamic history. A typical episode (they average about two hours) features a general introduction to a work of literature, then a full summary of that work that expects no prior knowledge, and finally, an analysis of the cultural, biographical, and historical forces that gave rise to the work in question. Original symphonic and ambient background music is woven throughout each show, and all episodes offer free full, illustrated, footnoted transcriptions as well as quizzes for purposes of review. The show has no advertisements, and its host takes pride in a professional approach that avoids chitchat and ephemera and gets straight to the educational content. You can listen to the episodes in any order, although most listeners begin at the beginning and proceed from there, as the podcast itself is chronologically organized. Doug Metzger finished his Ph.D. in literature in 2011. His chief scholarly interest, following his dissertation work, continues to be 19th-century realism and postbellum American philosophy. more

A collection of folklore stories accumulated during the Islamic Golden Age, The Arabian Nights Entertainments has entertained and fascinated readers for centuries. The book centers on a frame story concerning the sultan Shahrayah and his wife Scheherazade, who cleverly narrates captivating stories to her husband each night in order to save herself from his retribution and live another day. As a result the book encourages the literary technique of a story within a story.The frame story begins when the sultan Shahrayar learns of his brother's adulterous wife and subsequently discovers his own wife is guilty of infidelity. Overwhelmed by fury, he has his wife executed and in his moment of grief and bitterness declares that all women are the same. Hence begins his pledge to marry a virgin bride each night only to have her executed the next morning in order to prevent the possibility of betrayal. Accordingly, Shahrayar carries out his promise and executes many young women, until there are none left except for the daughters of his trusted vizier, whose responsibility is to provide the virgins. To his dismay and reluctance, his daughter Scheherazade steps in and offers herself as the next bride, however, Scheherazade devises a clever strategy in hopes of putting an end to the sultan's wrath. On each night she begins to tell a story to the sultan, but does not finish it until the following night, which is then immediately followed by the beginning of another. Therefore, as she weaves one story into the next, she leaves the sultan in a state of curiosity eager to hear each story's conclusion. Scheherazade tells stories on various topics including love, comedy, burlesque, fantasy, mythology, horror, destiny and many more.Apart from serving as a means of entertainment, The Arabian Nights Entertainments is notable for its didactic purpose, as many of the stories include moral lessons that genuinely stimulate the mind of the reader. Although most distinguished for its stories 'Aladdin', 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves', and 'The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor', the book contains many other stories which are appealing to both younger and older readers. Nevertheless, the book has remained a timeless piece of literature which has influenced many cultures and writers, and has been the inspiration for countless film adaptations. more

'Raconte un peu Tell me more is a trilingual (French Arabic English) podcast exploring MENA authors, books, and storytelling.Hosted by two sisters passionate about literature, Sandra and Pauline open conversations about identity, memory, migration, and the stories that shaped the Middle East and its diaspora.Every episode dives into:a MENA author or bookthemes of culture, language, and belongingshort reflections, accessible for all listeners🎧 Listen, learn, and discover authors who deserve a wider audience. more

Experience the captivating world of Arabic poetry and literature. The Arabic Qahwa podcast is an effort to present the gems of Arabic literature in an accessible manner to English speakers, and students of the Arabic language. Join us as we translate and explain beautiful Arabic poetry, and relate the legends and stories surrounding it. Experience the world of the Arabs as never before. more