Dear Belly Dance Magazine,

I am so impressed with your new magazine and I simply love the name!

The term “belly dance” is controversial and disliked by some. However, our dance community has never had a mainstream magazine with a name Jane & Joe Public could relate to. If our goal is to reach a wider audience and to educate the public about the beauty and diversity of our dance, then we must first attract them with a familiar-sounding name.

“Zaghareet” and “Habibi” are stellar publications devoted to the art of belly dance but this may not be apparent to the buying public who is unfamiliar with Arabic names.
Next time you visit a newsstand take a mental survey of magazine names. Most are simple and clearly state what the magazine is selling; Auto racing and computer mags do not use foreign-sounding names. Their titles appeal directly to their buyers.

Bravo Belly Dance, a Raqs Sharqi Magazine! I hope to see your name in lights!

Warmest wishes,

Lee Ali