What is Jalsa?
Jalsa is derived from the Arabic word for “gathering” or “communal seating.” It reflects how we work. Our podcast series brings together researchers, activists, journalists, field practitioners, and communities across the MENA region for in-depth conversations that move beyond headlines and official narratives.
Our podcasts are not an afterthought to our research. They are our research made conversational. They mirror how knowledge is actually produced at ARI: through rigorous engagement with diverse voices, through questioning, and through listening. Whether we’re examining the roots of the Sudanese crisis, archiving feminist activism in Egypt, or exploring water justice in a time of war, our podcasts do what our institution does. They center the people and communities most affected by the issues we study.
How we work
Each Jalsa series is anchored in one of ARI’s core programs or strategic priorities. Some series are thematic, diving deep into environmental politics, gender and political participation, or fieldwork practices. Others are geographically focused, amplifying voices from specific contexts: Sudan, Palestine, Syria. What connects them is our commitment to creating platforms where analysis isn’t extracted and packaged, but built collectively.
Our hosts are researchers, journalists, and practitioners embedded in these conversations. Our guests bring expertise grounded in lived experience. And our listeners become part of a community asking hard questions about reform, justice, and possibility in the region.
Jalsa is available on all major podcast platforms
New episodes arrive regularly. Watch or listen on YouTube or your preferred podcast app. Join the gathering!
Listen or Watch:
Beginning with Palestinian Jalsa, we expanded our podcast format to include video recordings of our conversations. If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you can find video episodes of Jalsa on our YouTube channel. Many episodes include subtitles in multiple languages, making these conversations accessible to a wider audience.