A conversation on the power of storytelling and reporting in movements for justice, highlighting the role of journalists and activists in uplifting oppressed voices.
Panellists: Mehdi Hasan, Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, Rahma Zein
Moderated by Khalid Albaih
Panellists: Mehdi Hasan, Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, Rahma Zein
Moderated by Khalid Albaih
Mehdi Hasan is an award-winning British-American journalist, broadcaster, and author. He is the founder, CEO and editor-in-chief of the new media company Zeteo. Mehdi is also a Guardian columnist, host of 'Head to Head' on Al Jazeera English and the best-selling author of 'Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking'. He previously worked as an anchor at MSNBC and a columnist for The Intercept.
Rahma Zein is an Egyptian former journalist with over a decade in field reporting, media strategy and public relations. She began as an investigative reporter for Egyptian TV and CBC, covering the Arab region during the 2011 political changes and interviewing key political figures. In 2023, she gained international attention for a viral confrontation with a CNN reporter at the Rafah Border Crossing, where she challenged the network’s biased reporting on Israeli war crimes. She currently works as a consultant for Tech for Palestine, an incubator for advocacy projects worldwide.
Ahmed Shihab-Eldin is an Emmy-nominated journalist, producer and actor. He is known for award-winning social-justice documentaries and films premiering at Cannes and other major festivals. His career includes PBS, Al Jazeera, HuffPost Live and ‘VICE on HBO’. He co-created Al Jazeera English’s ‘The Stream’ and published ‘Demanding Dignity’ (2013). He currently hosts the podcast ‘Out Loud’, conversations with people challenging the status quo; teaches as Adjunct Professor at the University of Bari and is producing ‘The Visitor’. His work has been recognised by GQ and Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’.
Khalid Albaih is a Romania-born, Doha-raised, Oslo-based Sudanese political cartoonist, writer and cultural producer known worldwide as ‘Khartoon’. His art and commentary have appeared at Documenta 15, Mathaf and NIROX Sculpture Park, and in The Guardian and Al Jazeera. He is the author of ‘Khartoon!’ (2018); editor of ‘Sudan Retold’ (2019) and ‘Sudan Retold 1½’ (2025); and creator of ‘Foreigner Everywhere’ (2026). Albaih founded KhartoonMag.com and @DohaFashionFridays and was shortlisted for the Freedom of Expression Award (2025).
Rahma Zein is an Egyptian former journalist with over a decade in field reporting, media strategy and public relations. She began as an investigative reporter for Egyptian TV and CBC, covering the Arab region during the 2011 political changes and interviewing key political figures. In 2023, she gained international attention for a viral confrontation with a CNN reporter at the Rafah Border Crossing, where she challenged the network’s biased reporting on Israeli war crimes. She currently works as a consultant for Tech for Palestine, an incubator for advocacy projects worldwide.
Ahmed Shihab-Eldin is an Emmy-nominated journalist, producer and actor. He is known for award-winning social-justice documentaries and films premiering at Cannes and other major festivals. His career includes PBS, Al Jazeera, HuffPost Live and ‘VICE on HBO’. He co-created Al Jazeera English’s ‘The Stream’ and published ‘Demanding Dignity’ (2013). He currently hosts the podcast ‘Out Loud’, conversations with people challenging the status quo; teaches as Adjunct Professor at the University of Bari and is producing ‘The Visitor’. His work has been recognised by GQ and Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’.
Khalid Albaih is a Romania-born, Doha-raised, Oslo-based Sudanese political cartoonist, writer and cultural producer known worldwide as ‘Khartoon’. His art and commentary have appeared at Documenta 15, Mathaf and NIROX Sculpture Park, and in The Guardian and Al Jazeera. He is the author of ‘Khartoon!’ (2018); editor of ‘Sudan Retold’ (2019) and ‘Sudan Retold 1½’ (2025); and creator of ‘Foreigner Everywhere’ (2026). Albaih founded KhartoonMag.com and @DohaFashionFridays and was shortlisted for the Freedom of Expression Award (2025).
