Joumana Medlej
@majnouna.com
Artist-scholar, specialised in early Arabic (Kufi) scripts & historical/natural materials. Interest in material culture & things real. Beirut émigré in Oxford. Earth lover, plastic-free. Contemplative. Whovian/Gallifrey…
Links: https://linktr.ee/Majnouna
Links: https://linktr.ee/Majnouna
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
December 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
#artcalendar Day 7:
Love Is a Madman
A 2017 piece in laser-cut copper, fired and mounted on wood.
majnouna.com/portfolio/ma...
Love Is a Madman
A 2017 piece in laser-cut copper, fired and mounted on wood.
majnouna.com/portfolio/ma...
December 7, 2025 at 12:59 PM
#artcalendar Day 7:
Love Is a Madman
A 2017 piece in laser-cut copper, fired and mounted on wood.
majnouna.com/portfolio/ma...
Love Is a Madman
A 2017 piece in laser-cut copper, fired and mounted on wood.
majnouna.com/portfolio/ma...
We told you AI was a tool of fascism.
“School officials have created a Microsoft Copilot prompt to review course descriptions with an eye toward avoiding ‘advocacy-oriented or prescriptive terms.’”
Terms: “dismantling, decolonizing, interrogating, challenging, centering, combating, liberation, resistance, activism, justice oriented”
Terms: “dismantling, decolonizing, interrogating, challenging, centering, combating, liberation, resistance, activism, justice oriented”
To Root Out Wokeness in the Course Catalog, This Texas University Is Turning to AI
“The AI was upset with my use of the phrase ‘women's rights movement.’”
www.texasmonthly.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:47 PM
We told you AI was a tool of fascism.
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
The narrow answer to "why can't computer vision see the past?" is bc CV is linear algebra & I reject the premise that math is sight. But the big answer is that the data extraction industry is leveraging computer vision to engineer an anti-human future.
sonja-drimmer.squarespace.com/blog-1/2025/...
sonja-drimmer.squarespace.com/blog-1/2025/...
How to See the Past Seeing the Past — Sonja Drimmer
When I ask the question, "why can't computer vision see the past?" the narrow answer is because computer vision is linear algebra, and as an art historian I reject the premise that math is sight. ...
sonja-drimmer.squarespace.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:25 PM
The narrow answer to "why can't computer vision see the past?" is bc CV is linear algebra & I reject the premise that math is sight. But the big answer is that the data extraction industry is leveraging computer vision to engineer an anti-human future.
sonja-drimmer.squarespace.com/blog-1/2025/...
sonja-drimmer.squarespace.com/blog-1/2025/...
If there are old-fashioned stamp collecting enthusiasts out there, I've listed a number of sets from my collection on eBay with more to come... www.ebay.co.uk/usr/joumanam
December 6, 2025 at 4:18 PM
If there are old-fashioned stamp collecting enthusiasts out there, I've listed a number of sets from my collection on eBay with more to come... www.ebay.co.uk/usr/joumanam
#artcalendar Day 6:
Patience صبر
A piece from 2011, in watercolour, ink and metal leaf on paper.
majnouna.com/portfolio/pa...
Patience صبر
A piece from 2011, in watercolour, ink and metal leaf on paper.
majnouna.com/portfolio/pa...
December 6, 2025 at 11:17 AM
#artcalendar Day 6:
Patience صبر
A piece from 2011, in watercolour, ink and metal leaf on paper.
majnouna.com/portfolio/pa...
Patience صبر
A piece from 2011, in watercolour, ink and metal leaf on paper.
majnouna.com/portfolio/pa...
Ah but Ukrainians are human beings and Palestinians aren’t, don’t you know. Or at least not “the right kind” of human beings.
People are so terrified of being labelled anti-Semitic if they criticise Israel.
Eurovision had no problem banning Russia when it invaded Ukraine.
Israel's guilt in slaughtering more than 66,000 Palestinians is just as egregious. Israel is JUST ANOTHER WARMONGERING COUNTRY, FFS. #Eurovision
Eurovision had no problem banning Russia when it invaded Ukraine.
Israel's guilt in slaughtering more than 66,000 Palestinians is just as egregious. Israel is JUST ANOTHER WARMONGERING COUNTRY, FFS. #Eurovision
December 5, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Ah but Ukrainians are human beings and Palestinians aren’t, don’t you know. Or at least not “the right kind” of human beings.
#artcalendar Day 5:
Lebanon لبنان
Watercolour and metal leaf on paper, from 2016.
majnouna.com/portfolio/le...
Lebanon لبنان
Watercolour and metal leaf on paper, from 2016.
majnouna.com/portfolio/le...
December 5, 2025 at 2:46 PM
#artcalendar Day 5:
Lebanon لبنان
Watercolour and metal leaf on paper, from 2016.
majnouna.com/portfolio/le...
Lebanon لبنان
Watercolour and metal leaf on paper, from 2016.
majnouna.com/portfolio/le...
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
big finish's live recording of "the stuff of legend" has been shortlisted for a bbc audio award. listen to the popular
@trapone.bsky.social #doctorwho podcast where @majnouna.com, lucymccaul.bsky.social, @quarkmcmalus.bsky.social, and i rhapsodize about it!
podbean | podchaser | spotify | apple
@trapone.bsky.social #doctorwho podcast where @majnouna.com, lucymccaul.bsky.social, @quarkmcmalus.bsky.social, and i rhapsodize about it!
podbean | podchaser | spotify | apple
December 5, 2025 at 2:14 PM
big finish's live recording of "the stuff of legend" has been shortlisted for a bbc audio award. listen to the popular
@trapone.bsky.social #doctorwho podcast where @majnouna.com, lucymccaul.bsky.social, @quarkmcmalus.bsky.social, and i rhapsodize about it!
podbean | podchaser | spotify | apple
@trapone.bsky.social #doctorwho podcast where @majnouna.com, lucymccaul.bsky.social, @quarkmcmalus.bsky.social, and i rhapsodize about it!
podbean | podchaser | spotify | apple
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
the thing all the discourse around Eurovision and Israel seems to miss is that: Russia got kicked out!! there is not only precedent, there is immediate and *still active* precedent. it’s the hypocrisy as much as anything
December 5, 2025 at 1:27 PM
the thing all the discourse around Eurovision and Israel seems to miss is that: Russia got kicked out!! there is not only precedent, there is immediate and *still active* precedent. it’s the hypocrisy as much as anything
I just got a letter forwarded from my previous address, that turned out to be a reform leaflet bitching about Sadiq Khan. I’m this instant returning it shredded in the freepost envelope, with a note along the lines of F*** YOU RACIST BIGOT LYING HYPOCRITES and I welcome additional suggestions.
December 5, 2025 at 12:55 PM
I just got a letter forwarded from my previous address, that turned out to be a reform leaflet bitching about Sadiq Khan. I’m this instant returning it shredded in the freepost envelope, with a note along the lines of F*** YOU RACIST BIGOT LYING HYPOCRITES and I welcome additional suggestions.
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
New for 2026, we’re running an intensive short course on Arabic manuscripts! Ideal for those wanting to get to grips with Arabic sources. In person, in London. 📖👇 @ies-sas.bsky.social @soasuni.bsky.social @soaslibrary.bsky.social
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
Unlocking the Islamic Literary Heritage: An Intensive Practical Introduction to Arabic Manuscripts
Unlocking the Islamic Literary Heritage: An Intensive Practical Introduction to Arabic Manuscripts
ies.sas.ac.uk
December 5, 2025 at 10:26 AM
New for 2026, we’re running an intensive short course on Arabic manuscripts! Ideal for those wanting to get to grips with Arabic sources. In person, in London. 📖👇 @ies-sas.bsky.social @soasuni.bsky.social @soaslibrary.bsky.social
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
#artcalendar Day 4*:
Perplexity حيرة
Acrylic and gold leaf on hand-cut paper, from 2017.
majnouna.com/portfolio/pe...
*sshhh, don't know how I missed a day but I'll post #5 later today.
Perplexity حيرة
Acrylic and gold leaf on hand-cut paper, from 2017.
majnouna.com/portfolio/pe...
*sshhh, don't know how I missed a day but I'll post #5 later today.
December 5, 2025 at 8:49 AM
#artcalendar Day 4*:
Perplexity حيرة
Acrylic and gold leaf on hand-cut paper, from 2017.
majnouna.com/portfolio/pe...
*sshhh, don't know how I missed a day but I'll post #5 later today.
Perplexity حيرة
Acrylic and gold leaf on hand-cut paper, from 2017.
majnouna.com/portfolio/pe...
*sshhh, don't know how I missed a day but I'll post #5 later today.
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
If you teach the History of the Book, or Information Technologies, or the long history of Text and materiality, this might be the coursebook for you—Treharne and Willan—now with StanfordUP’s 40% off. Bargain!
www.sup.org/books/litera...
www.sup.org/books/litera...
December 4, 2025 at 9:36 PM
If you teach the History of the Book, or Information Technologies, or the long history of Text and materiality, this might be the coursebook for you—Treharne and Willan—now with StanfordUP’s 40% off. Bargain!
www.sup.org/books/litera...
www.sup.org/books/litera...
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
Heads up everyone
#Oxford people, #birdflu has been confirmed on Port Meadow.
Take care everyone.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2567322...
Take care everyone.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2567322...
Urgent warning issued after bird flu outbreak in popular city meadow
An urgent warning has been issued after positive cases of bird flu were confirmed in Port Meadow, Oxford.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Heads up everyone
If there's going to be a BFI event for season 21, someone who's a member PLEASE grab me a ticket! #doctorwho
December 4, 2025 at 2:19 PM
If there's going to be a BFI event for season 21, someone who's a member PLEASE grab me a ticket! #doctorwho
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
Can we please stop calling these people “settlers”? They’re terrorist colonisers.
youtube.com/post/UgkxA3j...
youtube.com/post/UgkxA3j...
Post from Novara Media - YouTube
Settlers repeatedly punched female activists in the head and beat a man in the genitals, causing testicular haemorrhaging, during an attack in the West Bank....
youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Can we please stop calling these people “settlers”? They’re terrorist colonisers.
youtube.com/post/UgkxA3j...
youtube.com/post/UgkxA3j...
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
I’m seeing a new Israeli/American talking point essentially saying that Lebanese citizens and government need to understand Israel is working in our best interest and if we aren’t able to understand that they are ready to attack.
Do i add this to the dystopian thread?
Do i add this to the dystopian thread?
December 4, 2025 at 6:28 AM
I’m seeing a new Israeli/American talking point essentially saying that Lebanese citizens and government need to understand Israel is working in our best interest and if we aren’t able to understand that they are ready to attack.
Do i add this to the dystopian thread?
Do i add this to the dystopian thread?
#artcalendar Day 4:
Majnoun Leila مجنون ليلى
Egg tempera with mineral pigments, red gold 23 ct, hand-cut paper on mount board, from 2014.
shorturl.at/63iHF
Majnoun Leila مجنون ليلى
Egg tempera with mineral pigments, red gold 23 ct, hand-cut paper on mount board, from 2014.
shorturl.at/63iHF
December 4, 2025 at 9:46 AM
#artcalendar Day 4:
Majnoun Leila مجنون ليلى
Egg tempera with mineral pigments, red gold 23 ct, hand-cut paper on mount board, from 2014.
shorturl.at/63iHF
Majnoun Leila مجنون ليلى
Egg tempera with mineral pigments, red gold 23 ct, hand-cut paper on mount board, from 2014.
shorturl.at/63iHF
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
Last newsletter of 2025! Treasures inside...
open.substack.com/pub/majnouna...
open.substack.com/pub/majnouna...
Majnouna News: December
Wrapping up the year with a bow
open.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Last newsletter of 2025! Treasures inside...
open.substack.com/pub/majnouna...
open.substack.com/pub/majnouna...
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
New post: a talk I gave at some years ago on Gallifreyan Constitutional and Criminal Law is now online! Because sci-fi legal systems are cool, damn it. Or, in the case of the Time Lords, quite the hypocritical mess.
lmmyles.com/2025/12/03/t...
lmmyles.com/2025/12/03/t...
The Laws of Rassilon: Constitutional and Criminal Law on Gallifrey
Way back in 2019 I did a wee talk on the TARDIS Talks academic track at the Gallifrey One convention. It’s a fantastic part of the convention that lets attendees do a deep dive into some aspe…
lmmyles.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:49 PM
New post: a talk I gave at some years ago on Gallifreyan Constitutional and Criminal Law is now online! Because sci-fi legal systems are cool, damn it. Or, in the case of the Time Lords, quite the hypocritical mess.
lmmyles.com/2025/12/03/t...
lmmyles.com/2025/12/03/t...
Last newsletter of 2025! Treasures inside...
open.substack.com/pub/majnouna...
open.substack.com/pub/majnouna...
Majnouna News: December
Wrapping up the year with a bow
open.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Last newsletter of 2025! Treasures inside...
open.substack.com/pub/majnouna...
open.substack.com/pub/majnouna...
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
For what this is worth: c.org/2nKZxfrxK6
Allow transgender women and girls back into GirlGuiding UK
Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?
c.org
December 3, 2025 at 1:20 PM
For what this is worth: c.org/2nKZxfrxK6