Ethnic/Religious Minorities

Changes expected in Palestinian Knesset representation

There appears to be a good chance that the Joint List will not be the only party vying to represent the interests of Palestinian citizens of Israel in April elections for the next Knesset.

Palestine

Christians rejoice as Egypt forms committee to combat sectarianism

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced the formation of a committee tasked with fighting sectarianism, a move widely welcomed by both Christians and Muslims in Egypt.

Egypt

Activist’s murder in Tunisia attests to racism’s grip

Tunisia’s new law against racism needs substantial backup in the form of cultural change.

Tunisia

Patriarch grants Ukrainian Church independence at Istanbul mass

The spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox faithful recognized a new national church of Ukraine, marking a historic split with Moscow amid a broader geopolitical dispute.

Turkey

The Israeli ultra-Orthodox paradox: earning little, feeling rich

The ultra-Orthodox population in Israel is considered poor by economic measurements, but its members do not feel poor in part due to their consumption habits and solidarity networks.

Israel

Iraq's grand Sunni mufti forbids participation in New Year's celebrations

Clerics who issued fatwas against participation in New Year's celebrations come up against a wave of criticism.

Iraq

UN seeks to raise awareness of bias against African-Iraqis

Iraqis of African descent seem to be making progress, albeit slowly, against discrimination, with the UN's help.

Iraq

What Israel’s election should actually be about

The issues of ending the occupation, the democratic nature of Israel and relations with American Jewry should dominate the election campaign no less than the character of the political actors seeking office, but they likely will not.

Palestine

Copts once again fall victim to deadly violence in Egypt

In an area of Egypt known for violence against Coptic Christians, a father and son were recently slain, allegedly by an Egyptian who was supposed to be guarding a church.

Egypt

US genocide law triggers mixed feelings among Iraqis

US President Donald Trump has signed legislation calling for greater support for religious minorities victimized by the Islamic State.

Iraq

Iraqi official denies Bahaism as religion

An Iraqi official's statement against the Baha'i religion raises concerns of Baha'is and other religious minorities in Iraq.

Iraq

Last Greeks of Alexandria struggle to keep their community alive

The Greek community of Alexandria long considered itself one of the main actors in the building of modern Egypt, but with their number dwindled to fewer than 1,000, they are now organizing to deepen and expand existing roots by connecting more with local non-Greek Alexandrians.

Egypt