mideastmessenger.com

PHOTO: Egyptian Kids, E. Zarwan, flickr. 
Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world. Movies sometimes comment humorously, or not so humorously, about the fact that Cairo has become so populated that some Egyptians have resorted to living in graveyards. Check out this thoughtful post on graveyards in Egypt.
A recent report from the Cabinet’s Information and […]

PHOTO: Haifa Wehbe, Esam Altuhafi,flickr. 
The Arab League is trying to tighten its control on what is broadcast on TVs across the Arab world. Check out my previous post for more details.
Some notable statements in the charter are that satellite broadcast stations should not transmit  “erotic or obscene material” nor should they damage “traditional values.”
Many, if not most, homes in Arab cities […]

 PHOTO: Satellites in Jerusalem, Jordan Chark, flickr
Al Jazeera has reported that most Arab states have endorsed a charter that would allow states to have more control over satellite broadcasting. That would include Al Jazeera’s channels.
All 22 members of the Arab League were in favor of the charter except Lebanon, which has a rich history in […]

PHOTO: Al Azhar mosque, Eric Olson, flickr. 
The upper house of Egypt’s parliament, the Shura Council, just approved a law that would ban demonstrations in and around places of worship. This has been interpreted as a move against demonstrations that have taken place inside the Al Azhar mosque, a highly respected center for religious teachings and a historic landmark.
The legislation […]

PHOTO: Inside an Al Jazeera studio. Haitham Sabbah, flickr. 
Although the Al Jazeera news network is not readily available to most Americans on TV, its website in English is. Al Jazeera’s show Everywoman offers a variety of stories from women, to women and about women. Their coverage is not limited to the Middle East.
Al Jazeera has not shied away […]

PHOTO: Dubai streets, Patrick Boury, flickr. 
The Middle East is renowned for for its oil. Rich, black oil that powers our cars with gasoline and has added to the deterioration of the earth’s ozone layer.
Dubai is trying to change that image with its latest project: a zero-carbon city.
This comes from the United Arab Emirates, a world leader in oil exports.
Maybe […]

PHOTO: Turkish women in head scarves, Charles Roffey, flickr. 
Turkey’s parliament voted on Saturday to amend the constitution allowing women to wear head scarves on college campuses.
Turkey’s population is overwhelmingly Muslim, but the country’s secular nature has resulted in a wide range of adherence to religious practices.
The changes immediately brought cries of foul from politicians and Turkish […]

PHOTO: Palestinian women and children in south Hebron. flickr creative commons. 
Researchers at Israel’s Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry say that Arab women are the most exploited force in the Israeli work force, according to an article in Ha’aretz. Long working hours, low wages and cultural expectations are all factors to consider.
According to the researchers, Arab working women […]

For whatever reason, the entry on the Lebanese movie Caramel, set to start showing February 1 in some cities, was very popular.
Part of the curiosity was in the method of waxing. This particular way, called “sukkar” or “halawa” in Arabic, is common across the Middle East. Women can do it on their own, or like in the movie, they frequently […]