Roja Heydarpour

Roja Heydarpour is a photo editor for Al-Monitor. She has written and edited for The Daily Beast, The New York Times and The Times-Tribune. On Twitter: @rojarojaroja

Near East | Feb 21, 2014

16 women journalists on the Middle East front lines

Al-Monitor asked 16 of the most prominent women journalists covering the Middle East about the role of gender in their work in the region.

Palestinian women mark International Women's Day with a rally calling for an end to Palestinian divisions, in Gaza City March 8, 2011. Female protesters rallied to voice their frustrations over the unending split between Hamas and Abbas's Fatah movement and the lack of progress towards a peace that will end Israeli occupation and finally give them a state of their own. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR2JLMD

Egypt | Sep 26, 2013

Miss Egypt upstaged by political unrest

Amid political turmoil, the Miss Egypt pageant is the last thing on Egyptians' minds, despite the competition's rich history.

Miss Egypt Elham Wagdi performs during the 46th Miss International Beauty Pageant final in Xianghe, east of Beijing November 11, 2006. REUTERS/Alfred Cheng Jin (CHINA) - RTR1J901

Culture & Society | Sep 6, 2013

Mike Tyson Goes to Algeria To Shoot Action Film

The former heavyweight champion will work with an international movie team in Algeria for a new action film modeled loosely on “Rambo.”

Former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson thinks over a question during an interview at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada March 23, 2012. Tyson has, in his own words, behaved like a "Neanderthal" for much of his life. But next month, he hopes to become a "controlled artist, a disciplined artist" when he takes to a Las Vegas stage to talk about his checkered life as a childhood thief, an ear-biting fighter, an addict and a father of eight. Tyson, who in 1986 became the younge

Iran | Jul 20, 2013

Iranian Women’s Rights Activist Defiant Even in Death

Widows, orphans, refugees and scholars came out to commemorate the passing of Shahla Farjad, who died in Tehran.

Near East | Jul 10, 2013

Middle Eastern Girls Advance Science and Technology

A group of 27 teenagers from across the region recently visited the United States with a vision for the future of green energy, robotics and music.

United Arab Emirates | Jun 4, 2013

The Mideast in Venice

Nine Middle Eastern countries are represented at the Venice Biennale, including a piece aptly called "Resistance" from a Turkish artist.

Pan Arab | Mar 29, 2013

Shahnameh of the Digital Age

A vibrant new version of the Persian epic reconstructs 500 years' worth of images and texts to create a modern mythology for English speakers and Iranians alike, writes Roja Heydarpour.

Pan Arab | Mar 4, 2013

Harlem Shake, Mideast-Style

The inventor of the original "Harlem Shake" once said his inspiration came from ancient Egypt, which means the dance has made it all the way back to its roots. From students in Tunisia to protesters in Egypt to the “harem shake,” watch videos of the craze that has taken over the Middle East and the globe.