Social Media

Lebanese artists voice social concerns

Yasmine Hamdan, who, along with Mashrou' Leila, is known abroad as one of the most polıticized singers of Lebanon, says her music forms an archive of the changes and challenges that confront her country.

Egypt

Egyptians highlight human rights abuses as government campaign backfires

After the Egyptian government encouraged World Youth Forum participants to engage with one another ahead of the conference using the hashtag #WeNeedToTalk, many citizens took the opportunity to call out alleged human rights abuses.

Egypt

Local radio station uses airwaves to fight extremism in northern Syria

A local radio station in Qamishli, in northern Syria, is helping the community overcome the suffering they endured under Islamic State rule, while trying at the same time to prevent youths from drifting into extremism.

Syria

Prominent writer unleashes controversy around sexuality in Turkey

In a recent Ted Talks presentation, Turkish writer Elif Shafak admitted being bisexual, spurring a backlash on social media.

Turkey

Lebanon launches suicide hotline to raise awareness about mental health

In light of social stigma and limited health care, a Lebanese NGO is launching a suicide hotline to help people suffering from mental illnesses overcome their problems.

Lebanon

Can animated film sensitize Israelis to suffering in Gaza?

A human rights organization has produced a short animated film about a girl in a candy factory to explain the conditions in Gaza caused by the blockade.

Palestine

Egyptian women speak out amid global focus on sexual harassment

While social media campaigns are giving voice to many hitherto voiceless women in Egypt, much remains to be done about sexual harassment in the country.

Egypt

Anti-US rhetoric helps Erdogan build smokescreens

Years of anti-American propaganda help the Turkish president divert blame and discredit damaging news from the West — for example, anything incriminating that might emerge from high-profile cases in the United States involving Iran sanctions.

Turkey

Did Khamenei block Rouhani’s science minister?

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has finally introduced two names for the Science Ministry and Energy Ministry positions, although the battles appear to be far from over.

Iran

Libyan activists team up with Al-Azhar to tackle extremism

A group of Libyan activists are working alongside Egypt’s Al-Azhar to protect religious clerics defending moderate Islam in Libya from extremist attacks.

Libya

Palestinians keep wary eye on reconciliation agreement

Several Palestinian groups have taken to the streets of the West Bank and Gaza to pressure Hamas and Fatah to swiftly implement the recent reconciliation agreement in light of past failures.

Palestine

Turkish court accepts 'absurd' indictment of rights activists

Amnesty International's Turkey leaders are among 11 human rights defenders indicted on terror charges for holding a workshop on information security and stress management, and the trial is set to begin Oct. 25.

Turkey