The Souk Stories

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About this podcast

The Souk Stories is a podcast about culture, business, and the human experiences that shape Arabic life and Gulf business culture; hosted by Taqua Malik, a cultural intelligence advisor with over a decade of experience bridging Western and GCC worlds. Each episode explores topics that matter: Gulf business culture, Arabic business etiquette, professional life across borders, and how culture adapts to modernity. This podcast is for: - Professionals working across cultures (especially UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar), who are curious about Islamic culture and GCC markets. - Leaders, lawyers, and globally-minded individuals navigating multicultural spaces, seeking deeper understanding of the Arabic culture, traditions, and identity - Anyone who believes culture is a bridge, not a barrier What makes it different? It's storytelling with substance, not devotional, not surface-level. Just honest, culturally intelligent conversations that help you understand not just what people practice, but why it matters. Taqua brings insider perspective and global fluency. Based in Dubai, she clarifies without simplifying, educates without preaching, and connects tradition to modern professional life with warmth and precision. From Ramadan reflections to business etiquette and honor codes, every episode expands your understanding and sharpens your cultural intelligence. For daily, sharp GCC business and cultural insights that take less than 60 seconds to read, The Souk Secrets newsletter is the place to go. Join here: https://www.thesouksecrets.com/subscribe Subscribe. Listen. Reflect. Connect.