Featured stories about Middle East & North Africa
Stories about Middle East & North Africa
16 May 2018
Following pressure by security forces, Beirut Pride 2018 is “suspended for the time being”
"Lebanon has always been known for respecting diversity and claims to be an inclusive country for ALL its citizens, despite their differences."
What were Global Voices’ readers up to last week?
During the week of May 7-13, 2018, our stories and translations attracted readers from 207 countries. Number 61 on the list? Kazakhstan. And number 19? Indonesia.
14 May 2018
Riddled with violations, Lebanon's first election in nine years yields underwhelming results for independents
Thousands of election violations recorded and a Ministry late at publishing the results. These were the first Lebanese elections in nine years.
7 May 2018
‘I wanted my grandchildren to grow up in that house': Testimony of a 61-year-old Syrian woman from Zamalka
I wanted my grandchildren to grow up there, so that they would add to that home a new life, just like every generation of our ancestors did.
2 May 2018
What were Global Voices’ readers up to last week?
During the week of April 29-29, 2018, the most popular story on our Italian language site was about Azerbaijan. And on our Malagasy language site? A story about China.
27 April 2018
Telcos must disclose more data about internet shutdowns, say civil society groups
New research shows that the world's largest telecommunications companies disclose little to no information about their network shutdown policies and practices.
23 April 2018
What were Global Voices’ readers up to last week?
During the week of April 16-22, 2018, the most popular story on our Indonesian language site was about Taiwan. And on our Polish language site? A story about Mexico.
22 April 2018
China Central Television backs Russian version of the Syrian crisis, saying chemical attacks were staged
Russia claims the Syrian chemical attacks were staged; China's state media echoes that narrative, but not everyone is buying into it.
17 April 2018
Syria and the anti-imperialism of idiots
"This anti-war left exhibits deeply authoritarian tendencies, that place states at the centre of political analysis. . . . "
16 April 2018
What were Global Voices’ readers up to last week?
During the week of April 9-15, 2018, our stories and translations attracted readers from 211 countries. Number 95 on the list? Azerbaijan. And number 154? Niger.
12 April 2018
Forced Onto Live TV With Her Employer, a Migrant Domestic Worker in Lebanon Recants Claims of Abuse
One group for migrant domestic workers demanded after the episode that Lensa be removed from her employer’s house "to a place where she is no longer in fear of retribution."
11 April 2018
‘Great March’ for Palestinian Refugees’ Right of Return Endures Bloody Crackdown
"Almost eleven years of siege on #Gaza, and they are still protesting in the thousands the right to return, the right to live in dignity and freedom."
9 April 2018
What Were Global Voices’ Readers up to Last Week?
During the week of April 2-8, 2018, our stories and translations attracted readers from 209 countries. Number 53 on the list? Thailand. And number 182? São Tomé & Príncipe.
2 April 2018
What Were Global Voices’ Readers up to Last Week?
During the week of March 26-April 1, 2018, our stories and translations attracted readers from 215 countries. Number 68 on the list? El Salvador. And number 20? Tanzania.
31 March 2018
‘They Beat Me Everyday With an Electric Cable…They Smashed My Head Into the Walls’
Lensa, who is from Ethiopia, is one of many migrant domestic workers in Lebanon forced to work and live in difficult conditions under Lebanon's notorious "kafala" (meaning sponsorship) system.
How English-Language Pronouns Are Taught Around the World
Globally, close to 1 billion people are learning English as a Foreign Language and all of them encounter binary gender pronouns from the earliest lessons.
30 March 2018
Tunisian MPs Propose Legislation Criminalising ‘Cyber Defamation’
"This bill is the result of a repressive mindset restrictive of freedoms, reflecting a nostalgia for the dictatorship era".
27 March 2018
A Muslim Scholar Seeks to Link Israel and Indonesia Through the Hebrew Language
"I told my family that what I'm doing might have uncertain consequences, but it's something that needs to be done."
21 March 2018
On World Poetry Day, Some Verses Straight From Persia's Heart
"The sadness in my heart, like a mountain/The heart under your chest, like a stone."
About our Middle East & North Africa coverage
Joey Ayoub is Middle East and North Africa editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
Afef Abrougui is Advox Editor for the Middle East and North Africa. Email her story ideas related to freedom of expression online.
Mahsa Alimardani is the Iran and Farsi editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
Lova Rakotomalala is the French editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
