The realm of sports provides a significant arena for exploring power dynamics within and between the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond, given the substantial presence of migrants and from the diaspora originating from this region in Europe and North America. This encompasses inquiries into the formulation of identity within the context of sports, governmental involvement in sports and its strategic utilization for political advantages, the intersection of women and sports, the evolving power dynamics within the sports industry, and the region's emergence as a significant new player. These diverse facets will be explored in the forthcoming presentation.


Dr. Mahfoud Amara holds the position of Associate Professor in Sport Management and Social Sciences at Qatar University. His research interests and publications encompass a wide range of topics, including sports, business, culture, politics, and society in the Arab region and within Muslim communities. He has been invited to speak at numerous international conferences, workshops, and symposia. Additionally, he has contributed to books such as “Sport Politics and Society in the Arab World” (2012), “Sport in Islam and in Muslim Communities” (2015), “Sport in the African World” (2018), and “The Olympic Movement in the Middle East and North Africa” (2018).

This event is part of the CMENAS Fall Colloquium 2023: “The MENA world after a MENA World Cup” 555 Weiser Hall, 500 Church Street, Ann Arbor.

Colloquium questions: cmenas@umich.edu

This series is funded in part by the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies (CMENAS) U.S. Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center (NRC) grant.

To register, go to https://myumi.ch/8eA8n.