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Culture & Society

Artist Tara Abdulla in her studio in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Artistic heart of Iraq's Kurdistan thrives, but wants more public engagement

Sulaimaniyah, often called the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s “culture capital,” has become something of a haven for artists, though obstacles remain for the vibrant and self-sustaining artistic center they envision.

Libyan youths pose for a picture in front of the Corinthia Hotel after a swim near the city's main port, Tripoli, Libya, April 22, 2019.

Libyan artists turn to black comedy to show youth exploitation

A play dubbed “Chocolate Egg” uses black comedy to show the exploitation of young Libyans by officials to lure them into military formations.

In this handout image provided by MD Beast, MDL Beast Festival - the Saudi Soundstorm has arrived, wowing over 130,000 fans on its first day on Dec. 19, 2019 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi 2030 to expand art scene in Jeddah, Riyadh

With Saudi Arabia’s new social reform plan the local art scene is blooming with a plethora of cultural initiatives.

Samar al-Baa inspects honey collected from her beehives in Beit Hanoun, Gaza Strip, in a still from a video uploaded May 30, 2021.

Gaza's first female beekeeper expands apiary

The enclave's first female beekeeper speaks about the challenges facing Gaza's beekeeping profession.

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Egyptian-German archaeologists unveil inscriptions, reliefs of Esna Temple

An inscription from the Esna temple.

Bicycling movement sweeps Lebanon

One of the slogans displayed in street art by Chain Effect on Hamra Street, Beirut.

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Beirut artists interpret experience of nonconformance in Middle East

Joseph Kai

Controversy in Egypt over film starring ex-IDF soldier Gal Gadot

Gal Godot appears in a scene from "Death on the Nile"

Culture & Society

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech, alongside Israeli Health Minister Yaakov Litzman (C), during a visit to the Corona virus outbreak central response unit at Israeli Ministry of Health in the Israeli city of Kiryat Malakhi on March 1, 2020. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP) (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Will COVID-19 reshape ultra-Orthodox leadership?

Public outrage against the ultra-Orthodox community is palpable in Israel for its members disobeying coronavirus restrictions against large gatherings.

Gazans not giving up on wedding celebrations despite COVID-19

Despite the closure of Gaza's wedding halls, couples who want to tie the knot simply move the large weddings to their homes, much to the rage of the health authorities.

Netanyahu self-isolates after adviser tests positive for coronavirus

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in isolation after his adviser on ultra-Orthodox issues was diagnosed with COVID-19.

There's little left of Israel’s left

By deciding to join the Netanyahu-Gantz government, Labor Party Chairman Amir Peretz put the final nail in the coffin of the party that founded the State of Israel.

Egypt battles COVID-19 amid flood of misinformation, conspiracy theories

As Egypt fights the spread of COVID-19, misinformation and conspiracy theories are making it difficult for Egyptians to distinguish fact from fiction.

A few people walk in the vicinity of the closed Al-Azhar mosque in Egypt's capital Cairo on March 20, 2020, after the country's Muslim religious authorities decided to put the Friday prayers on hold, in order to avoid gatherings and the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 disease. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Egyptians feel demoralized by empty churches, mosques

The decision to suspend collective prayers in mosques and churches was criticized by some Egyptians who feel deprived of spiritual support during hard times.

A general view of Istanbul, Turkey, on March 28, 2020 during the emergency of Coronavirus. (Photo by Onur Dogman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Turks demand 'helicopter money' as coronavirus crisis worsens

Turkey’s government faces growing pressure for direct cash injections to support the vulnerable masses as the coronavirus outbreak threatens grave fallout for the already ailing Turkish economy.

Palestinian boys walks past the remains of their family's dwelling, that was funded by the EU's humanitarian arm, after it was demolished by Israeli forces, near the West Bank village of Al-Eizariya, near east of Jerusalem January 21, 2016. In a development likely to further upset Europe, Israeli forces demolished six structures in the West Bank funded by the EU's humanitarian arm. The structures were dwellings and latrines for Bedouins living in an area known as E1 - a particularly sensitive zone between J

Why EU funds to Palestinian NGOs became a victim of misinformation

The European Union, which has been under fire by Palestinian organizations for an "anti-terror" clause in its general grant contracts, launched talks with the NGOs to clarify stance and get them to sign pending contracts.

Pope Francis greets Mohammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, during a meeting at the Vatican, September 20, 2017. Osservatore Romano/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. - RC168FEBB020

Saudi leader of Muslim World League: Interfaith partnerships during pandemic ‘religious, moral duty'

Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa says, “We try to lead by example, and show that we are all in this together.”

A worker in a protective suit sprays disinfectant at Grand Bazaar, known as the Covered Bazaar, to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Istanbul, Turkey, March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Umit Bektas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2YQF9U548J

Turkey imposes first curfew as coronavirus infections surge

Ankara has announced its first lockdown covering 12 areas in the Black Sea coastal provinces of Rize and Trabzon as Turkey suffers its largest single-day jump in coronavirus cases.

Swift government measures will not save jobs, businesses in Tunisia

The Tunisian government has announced a series of measures to ease the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, but some are not optimistic about the benefits for small businesses and the tourism sector.

Iran's art community wades into coronavirus fight

The Iranian artistic community is going the extra mile to boost the nation’s morale as it battles through the coronavirus epidemic.