Stories about Middle East & North Africa from May, 2015
‘Proud Lebanon’ Releases Powerful Anti-Homophobia Video
In commemoration of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), "Proud Lebanon" is calling for equal rights to be extended to the Lebanese LGBT community.
Thank the Ottoman Empire for That Taco You're Eating
Taco al pastor, the classic Mexican street food that’s popular in the US, has roots in a surprising place: the Middle East.
Clashes in Mahabad, Iran, Following the Controversial Death of a Female Hotel Worker
"It's one thing to be Kurdish in Iran and a another to be a Kurdish woman. #JusticeForFarinaz."
‘Their Freedom Is Their Right': A Campaign for Prisoners of Conscience in the Arab World
Three human rights organizations launch a social media campaign to raise awareness about prisoners of conscience throughout the Arab World.
New Research: Iran Is Using ‘Intelligent’ Censorship on Instagram
Political pages are accessible, but Justin Bieber and the Kardashians are blocked. Saddled with a censorship regime that is both exhaustive and ineffective, Iranian authorities are experimenting with “intelligent” filtering.
Israeli Politician Who Called for Genocide of Palestinian People Named Justice Minister
"It is not a war against terror, and not a war against extremists, and not even a war against the Palestinian Authority...Who is the enemy? The Palestinian people."
Who Says Desert Climates Can’t Rock Agriculture? Check Out the Gulf Nations at EXPO 2015
Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and the UAE participate in Milan's Expo 2015 with well designed pavilions to introduce the world to their agrarian and food culture.
Preparations are Underway for Ramadhan in Jerusalem
Preparations are underway at the Masjid Al Aqsa in Jerusalem for the holy month of Ramadhan, expected to begin on June 17 or 18 this year. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset during the month, the start of which is decided by sighting the new moon. The mosque is the...
The Dilemmas of Bahrain's Opposition Group Alwefaq: Between Fragmentation and an Underground Movement
The largest opposition group in Bahrain is on the verge of being shut down. Alwefaq Society members are expressing contradicting opinions on the the implications of its closure.
Yemenis Making Art in the Time of War
Yemenis are putting their art and creatively forward to an end the war in their country, the poorest in the Middle East. Here's what they are doing.
One French Journalist's Take on the ‘Slow Death’ of Foreign Correspondents
Anaïs Renevier is leaving Lebanon after a few years reporting there. Her blog post about the dismal conditions foreign correspondents must endure in today's media landscape has resonated with many.
Iran's Leading Women's Magazine Suspended After Covering Cohabitation Outside of Marriage
Managing editor Shahla Sherkat says she's hopeful she can convince the court to allow publication to resume. Iran’s Press Oversight Committee suspended Zanan-e Emrooz, reportedly for writing about "white marriages."
On World Press Freedom Day, Iraqis Mourn Journalist Ammar Al Shahbander, Killed in Car Bomb Explosion
On World Press Freedom Day, Iraqis are mourning the death of journalist Ammar Al Shahbander, killed in a car bomb explosion in Baghdad, carried out by the ISIS.
Spotlight on Yazan Halwani, Beirut's Street Artist
One Lebanese artist has been re-claiming Beirut's streets, one mural at a time. Global Voices' Joey Ayoub sits down with Yazan Halwani to hear his story.
Yemeni Refugees Face Hardship and Humiliation
Thousands of Yemenis found themselves stranded abroad when Saudi Arabia and its Arab coalition started pounding their country. Noon Arabia shares some of the stories of those who escaped.
State Department Responds to Turkish Official's Criticism of Police Brutality with Tepid Humour
"Maybe she is doing what your dog media was doing during the Gezi protests and licking the government’s ass!"
Private Initiatives Take the Helm in Solving Europe's Shipwreck Crisis
"With this project, we want to draw attention to the fact that it shouldn't be our aim - but that of the EU."
How Israeli High-Tech Firms Are Up-Armoring the U.S.-Mexico Border
"Like the Gaza Strip for the Israelis, the U.S. borderlands, dubbed a “constitution-free zone” by the ACLU, are becoming a vast open-air laboratory for tech companies."
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