China, under growing global pressure over its treatment of a Muslim minority in its far west, is mounting an unprecedented and aggressive campaign to push back, including explicit attacks on women who have made claims of abuse. As allegations of human rights violations in Xinjiang mount, with a growing number …
Read More »Uzbekistan: pilov and fruits
Pilov is the most classic dish of Uzbekistan, consisting of rice, onions, carrots and meat, all cooked slowly in layers in a traditional cast-iron kazan (essentially, a cauldron). If you donât have a kazan lying around, you can substitute it for a cast-iron casserole dish. By Sher Karimov For Uzbeks, …
Read More »Turkish Protestants worried about spy recruitment as a trend
The Association of Protestant Churches in Turkey has released their annual report, highlighting the challenges and violations of religious freedom they faced over the past year. Chief among these violations are allegations that members of the community have been offered work as spies and informants. The group claimed that the …
Read More »UN in friction with Saudi over free speech
United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, in rare public comments on Saudi Arabia, said on Friday that people were unlawfully held in the kingdom and urged it to uphold freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly. Bachelet, addressing the U.N. Human Rights Council where Saudi Arabia is …
Read More »Saudi launches human rights initiative through training programmes
The Saudi Human Rights Commission (HRC) president said on Sunday that the Kingdom is working to protect and promote human rights around the world as it launched new human rights training programs. In the statement on UN World Day of Social Justice, Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad added that human …
Read More »Fergana Valley tasty destinations for tourists
The Ferghana Valley (also transliterated as Fergana or Farghana) is historically the main Silk Road route between Kashgar and Samarkand. It is a relatively fertile, populous and prosperous area though much of the surrounding country is mountains, steppe or desert. Two rivers, the Naryn and the Kara Darya, flow into …
Read More »Palestinian film destined for Oscar nomination
Farah Nabulsi never imagined she could direct a film. Even after leaving behind a successful career in investment banking to tell stories of injustices in Palestine, after years of writing and producing short films, a persistent, doubting voice in her head told her, again and again, that there was no …
Read More »BBC Radio falls afoul of Islamophobic practices
The BBC said on Friday the corporation will âreflectâ on a radio interview with the first female secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, after concerns were raised about its tone. The response came after 200 people, including politicians, journalists and academics, this week signed an open letter to the …
Read More »Saudi to recruit women into armed services
Women can now join Saudi Arabia’s armed forces, following a ruling by the Saudi Ministry of Defense that opened the way for both genders to sign up through a unified admission portal starting Sunday. Military ranks from soldier to sergeant will be available in the Saudi Arabian Army, Royal Saudi Air …
Read More »Happy Arab-American families fight against US stereotypes via TikTok
Social media is inundated with offensive content, including hate, anger, personal attacks and, of course, exaggerated and false claims. Much of it is driven by angry political hyperbole and partisan attacks. It can be nauseating. But every once in a while you come across a social media account that is …
Read More »Bukhara – The Capital of Islamic Culture
Sacred Bukhara is one of the tourist gems of Uzbekistan. The historic city centre is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The age of the city exceeds 2500 years. Let us say one thing. You will lose out so, so much, if you do not visit Bukhara. Popular landmarks …
Read More »Imaan Hammam reward Valentine’s Day enthusiasts with ‘digital kiss’
Forget the predictable box of chocolates and flowers this Valentineâs Day â renowned fashion photographer duo Inez and Vinoodh have unveiled a virtual kissing booth just in time for Feb. 14, and itâs for a good cause. The legendary image-makers launched the campaign as part of their Double Dutch initiative, …
Read More »Once upon a time: the life story of a Lebanese emigrant to the United States
The year is 1910. A 17 year-old young man, Farris, with high ambitious dreams and a persistent attitude to pursue a better life for himself, away from the misery, hunger, and poverty that prevailed in most villages of Lebanon during the early 1900s, takes the decision to emigrate. To a …
Read More »Andijan people are warm and friendly
Zakhriddin Mukhammad Bobur is a significant person in Uzbekistanâs history. In Central Asian history, he remains as a great ruler and commander who managed to found a huge empire which existed more than 300 years after his death. He placed himself on record not only in the history of the …
Read More »US Navy worried about increased incidence of racism
The U.S. Navyâs top admiral on Tuesday condemned two new racist incidents involving hate symbols on warships, which sources said included a noose that was left on a Black sailorâs bed. The incidents, which occurred in recent weeks, underscore deep concerns about racism in the ranks. The cases come as …
Read More »Saudi pursuing wide range of judicial reforms
Saudi Arabiaâs Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced on Monday plans to approve a set of new draft laws designed to enhance the efficiency and integrity of the kingdomâs judicial system, a step that would eventually lead to an entirely codified law. The prince, often referred to by his initials …
Read More »Florida lawyers accuse social media of censorship of conservatives
Florida lawmakers, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, intensified their battle with Facebook, Twitter and Silicon Valley when they announced new proposals Tuesday aimed at reigning in platforms they accuse of squelching the free speech of conservatives. âOver the years, these platforms have changed from neutral platforms that provide Americans with the …
Read More »Pope adament on making March Iraq trip
Pope Francis said on Monday he is intent on making a trip to Iraq next month even if it means many Iraqi Christians wonât be able to see him in person because of COVID-19 restrictions. âI am the pastor of people who are suffering,â he told Catholic New Service (CNS), …
Read More »Philippines declares 1st February as ‘National Hijab Day’
In a âmilestoneâ move, the Philippines House of Representatives has approved a bill declaring the first day of February as National Hijab Day every year to promote a âdeeper understandingâ of the Muslim practice, as well as tolerance for other faiths across the country. Congress unanimously approved the bill, which …
Read More »Arab SF finally getting recognition it deserves in Saudi, says Ashraf Fagih
A new chapter in Arabic literature is opening up as more writers give a modern twist to old science. Time-honored styles and subject matters are steadily being replaced and expanded upon as Arab wordsmiths and readers explore creative new dimensions to storytelling. Authors are boldly publishing books in genres once …
Read More »Orthodox Jewish sex offender extradited from Israel to Australia
Israeli authorities on Monday extradited a woman wanted on 74 charges of child sex abuse in Australia, following a six-year legal battle that had strained relations between the two governments. Malka Leifer, a former teacher accused of sexually abusing several former students at a Jewish school in Melbourne, had been …
Read More »Sudanese cinema makes international strides, falters at home
Sudanese filmmakers who celebrated the end of stifling restrictions following the ouster of autocrat Omar Bashir have won multiple international awards but are yet to enjoy the same recognition at home. Cinema languished in the North African country through three decades of authoritarian rule by Bashir. But Sudanese took to …
Read More »Saudi experiences intellectual property clampdown on internet
The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) has launched a campaign aimed at inspecting websites to verify their compliance with intellectual property systems and ensure they do not violate intellectual rights. The SAIPâs inspection campaigns have been on two fronts, visiting websites that broadcast movies, sports matches and TV series …
Read More »A hidden pearl of Mount Lebanon: ‘If only walls could talk⊒
As a kid, Sami, the little boy growing up in the village of Aytat, Mount Lebanon, used to love going to that mysterious place, always known as the âTalhouk Castleâ to play in its courtyard with the ownerâs son. For Sami, the place had always been enigmatic and full of …
Read More »Biden lifts Trump’s anti-Muslim ban even with COVID lockdown
On Tuesday night, on the eve of President Joe Bidenâs inauguration, Mania Darbaniâs mother called her from Iran. She was ecstatic that Biden would soon repeal the Trump administrationâs so-called âMuslim banâ that barred people from a number of mostly Muslim-majority nations, including Iran, from coming to the United States. …
Read More »Saudi ready for latest edition of International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation
The 6th International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation and the King Salman Disability Research Award will be staged in January 2022, a press conference has been told. The conference, organized by the King Salman Center for Disability Research (KSCDR) in Riyadh on Monday, saw the participation of 26 countries and …
Read More »Sleep with a View of Legacy at Baron Hotel Heliopolis Cairoâs Newly Renovated Rooms
(ADVERTISMENT) A Magnificent view is all what you need for a perfect stay. Baron Hotel HeliopolisCairo instantly went through room renovations to give the property an exclusive look. The renovation started in the new building extension to make the elegantly furnished rooms appropriate and outstanding for our guests. The whole …
Read More »Saudi still tackling topic of capital punishment for minors
Five people who committed crimes in Saudi Arabia as minors have yet to have their death sentences revoked, according to two rights groups, nine months after the kingdomâs Human Rights Commission (HRC) announced an end to capital punishment for juvenile offenders. The state-backed HRC in April cited a March royal …
Read More »Saudi to begin appointing women judges
Saudi Arabia will âsoonâ be appointing women as court judges, an official said, in continued social reforms over the past years. Hind al-Zahid, undersecretary for womenâs empowerment at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, said a âSaudi woman assuming a position of judge is very soon. There are …
Read More »Ranks of Saudi military engineers swollen with female appointees
A group of over 100 Saudi women have overcome gender barriers and contributed to the technological transformation of the Kingdom through their management of the Advanced Electronic Companyâs (AEC) military factory. The team has gained expertise in manufacturing roles that support areas of national importance such as digital transformation, energy …
Read More »Qatar releases captive Bahraini bodybuilder captured at sea
Qatar has released a bodybuilding champion and two other Bahrainis who had been detained during fishing trips, Bahrainâs Interior Ministry said on Thursday. Manama on Sunday demanded Qatari authorities release bodybuilder Sami Al Haddad, who was arrested along with a compatriot on Friday in the third such incident in recent …
Read More »Arab actresses make it to Disney circuit and Marvel series
Bahrain-born actress May Calamawy has reportedly joined the cast of Disney+âs series âMoon Knight,â according to The Hollywood Reporter. It is not known what role the âRamyâ star will have in the upcoming Marvel series. She will join American-Guatemalan actor Oscar Isaac who is expected to play one of the …
Read More »UK Muslim food bank to combat poverty, hunger on homefront
A leading figure in the UKâs Muslim community has been appointed to chair one of the countryâs largest independent food banks, vowing to confront the poverty that has spiked in his community since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. British-Pakistani Londoner Muddassar Ahmed rose to prominence by heading one of …
Read More »Somalia wants 30% of parliament female
Nearly a third of Somaliaâs parliamentary seats will be reserved for female lawmakers in an election next month, the prime minister said, a measure long demanded by womenâs rights campaigners in the Horn of Africa nation. While welcoming Saturdayâs announcement by Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, some womenâs groups cautioned …
Read More »Pope backtracks on Iraq visit, cites COVID as cause
Pope Francis said he is not sure if his trip to Iraq in March can take place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He cast doubt on the trip, which would be the first by a pope to the country, in an interview with Italyâs Canale 5 broadcast on Sunday night. …
Read More »Arab’s first ever vampire movie fails on the homescreen
Breaking new ground isnât easy. Just ask Rami Yasin, the writer and director of âBloodline,â billed as âthe first Arab vampire film.â Itâs been two months since âBloodlineâ premiered on MBCâs Shahid VIP platform, where it initially appeared to be a success, with hugely impressive viewing figures. However, that was …
Read More »Rouhani laments the state of Western democracy
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Thursday that the chaos unleashed on the US Capitol by US counterpart Donald Trumpâs supporters exposed the fragility of Western democracy. âWhat we saw in the United States yesterday (Wednesday) evening and today shows above all how fragile and vulnerable Western democracy is,â Rouhani said …
Read More »Lost in Transition: Mackenzie Davis and Friends, between Marketing and the Male Gaze – Part II
By Emad El-Din Aysha, PhD âWe are what we are because we have been what we have been, and what is needed for solving the problems of human life and motives is not moral estimates but more knowledge.â — Freud âA woman is a mystery to guide …
Read More »Lost in Transition: Mackenzie Davis and Friends, between Marketing and the Male Gaze – Part I
By Emad El-Din Aysha, PhD Lieutenant Commander Data: âI wonder. What would Dr. Freud say about the symbolism of devouring oneself?â Counselor Deanna Troi:Â âData â sometimes a cake is just a cake.â — Star Trek: TNG, âPhantasmsâ, S07E06 âI wouldnât have seen it if I hadnât …
Read More »Pakistani truck art now used for airliners
Pakistanâs famous truck art will move from its highways to the skies, as a flying academy is painting a two-seater Cessna aircraft with the colourful technique. With elaborate and flamboyant motifs, Pakistani truck art has inspired gallery exhibitions abroad and prompted stores in Western cities to sell miniatures. âWe want …
Read More »Israel condemns BBC for admitting Jesus (PBUH) was Palestinian
Israeli media have lashed out at BBC for airing a program on Jesus in which it claimed he was a Palestinian. The BBC World Service radio program Heart and Soul aired a program on December 18 in which presenter Robert Beckford noted that artistic depictions of Jesus as blonde and …
Read More »President Macron goes from Islamophobia to anti-Semitism
French President Emmanuel Macron was criticized on Monday due to comments on Marshal Philippe PĂ©tain, France’s Nazi collaborationist wartime leader during the German Occupation, suggesting that one must separate his heroism during World War I from his acts during the Second World War, as reported by Algemeiner. In reaction to …
Read More »Prominent womenâs rights activist sentenced in Saudi court
A Saudi court on Monday sentenced prominent womenâs rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul to five years and eight months in prison, local media reported, in a trial that has drawn international condemnation and as Riyadh faces new U.S. scrutiny. Hathloul, 31, has been held since 2018 following her arrest along with …
Read More »Sudan stakes its claim for Oscar with critically acclaimed movie
Nearly two years after the overthrow of autocrat Omar Bashir, Sudan is taking steps to rejoin the international community from which it was long shunned. That includes its film industry. For the first time in its history, Sudan has a submission for the Academy Awards. Produced by a consortium of …
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