Stories about Middle East & North Africa
In the shadows of destruction and despair: Voices from Gaza's devastation
Voices from Gaza: "The house where nearly 30 people lived is now gone, and we find ourselves displaced and homeless, uncertain of our fate or what lies ahead for us. "
Yiddish: A language to celebrate also for its hilarious curses
Global Voices spoke to Matthew Katzman, author of "Oy Vey! Yiddish Slang 101," a satirical dictionary that weaves personal family stories with Yiddish expressions to understand the evolution of the language.
Morocco and Africa's triumph co-hosting the FIFA World Cup 2030 with Spain and Portugal
Morocco's footballing prowess, combined with its infrastructure capabilities, sets the stage for an exciting and promising era in global football, despite the challenges posed by the recent earthquake.
Gaza’s unyielding reality: Sparrows, sirens, and survival
"This is Gaza, a bitter existence, where each day brings us closer to the brink. We face the specter of death daily, under the weight of an unjust oppressor."
Israel's latest conflict with Hamas: A geopolitical perspective
Achieving a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict entails recognizing Palestinians' historical rights, ending apartheid practices, and stopping illegal settlement activities.
Nepali students based in Israel confirmed killed in Hamas attack
The students were living on a kibbutz near the Gaza border participating in the Israeli government's 'learn and earn' program.
Discrimination against Nubians in pop culture and media
Nubians grapple with the harmful impact of stereotyping in media, causing feelings of invisibility, exclusion, and self-censorship. This in turn marginalize them and obscure their cultural contributions and expression.
Portraits of exile: Iranian journalist Maryam Mirza
Journalist Maryam Mirza draws inspiration from the brave women of Iran, prompting her to share her own story and to chronicle the experiences of other Iranian women in exile in Berlin.
In Turkey, another festival is cancelled as censorship runs rampant
In recent years, countless cultural events and concerts have been canceled in Turkey due to the ruling government's censorship and increasingly conservative views.
Israel swings between democracy and the religious far-right
“Israel has been often branded as the only democracy in the Middle East, but that idea is crumbling fast”
Iran’s women, digital rights and human freedoms
While the Iranian government’s tactics reflect a global issue, the world must remember and celebrate the unique courage of Iran’s women, who stand tall in the face of adversity.
Iraqi Assyrians struggle for freedom of expression amid political and extremist threats
Ongoing oppression, ethnic and sectarian conflicts, and political unrest have greatly reduced the Middle East's Assyrian community, endangering their 3000-year-old Assyrian language in its native Middle Eastern home.
Facebook’s news retreat: A death knell for independent MENA local news
Facebook's evolving relationship with the news industry, algorithm adjustments, and their repercussions on local media outlets add complexity to the landscape of news dissemination, particularly affecting smaller, independent media outlets.
Winning a million Lira won't get you far in today's Turkey, but its worth celebrating anyway
The amount may have meant a lot in 2011 when the show first premiered on Turkish television, but in 2023, the amount isn't likely to go too far.
The complex historical tapestry of media and music in Sudan
Sudan's media has faced political influence and censorship, from radio's promotion of music to state-controlled television and print media challenges. However, private radio stations offer alternative voices, signaling potential progress.
Arrested humor: Comedian Nour Hajjar detained in censorship case
Comedy in Lebanon has always served as a means to find relief in challenging circumstances, but now, the tightening grip of censorship on creative freedom and satire could challenge this.
The story of Qatari women’s rights defender Noof Al-Maadeed
Human rights defender Noof Al-Madeed disappeared after releasing a series of videos in March providing evidence of violations of her civil and human rights by the Qatari State security apparatus.
How Kurdish language divisions hinder access to information
The ongoing disputes among Kurdish languages and their lack of standardization create obstacles to accessing online information, impedes the flow of information, and curtails active participation in the digital realm.
The six countries invited to join the BRICS club
"The expansion and modernization of BRICS is a message that all institutions in the world need to mould themselves according to changing times."
From Gaza: Does creativity only come from misery?
Gaza-based author Dana Bsaiso draws inspiration from the harsh Israeli blockade, reflecting on the interplay of creativity and adversity. Photographer Mohammad Zaanoun, meanwhile, captures the bloom of creativity within Gaza's confines.
A Mauritanian high school student faces the death penalty over blasphemy
The gravity of the situation cannot be underestimated, as she now faces the possibility of severe punishment, including the death penalty, under Article 306 of the Mauritanian Penal Code.
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