Culture Lebanon’s first lady Nehmat Aoun takes center stage during Pope's visit Lebanon’s first lady, Nehmat Aoun, attended nearly all gatherings and visits of Pope Leo during his three-day trip to Beirut, highlighting her active involvement in social and humanitarian issues. Lebanon
Lebanon’s citizenship offer for FIFA head sparks debate over equal rights Lebanon’s president has announced he will grant citizenship to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, sparking a wave of outrage. Lebanon
Iran judicial chief orders crackdown on women defying hijab law: What to know Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei also called for legal action against the United States over the June strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Iran
Culture Rape case against movie star Pejman Jamshidi rocks Iran: What to know The accusations against Jamshidi, one of Iran’s most famous celebrities, come amid ongoing discussions about women’s lack of rights in the country. Iran
Turks demand protection after woman killed with sword In the wake of a headline-making femicide in Istanbul, activists and politicians have revived calls to return to the Istanbul Convention. Turkey
New Abu Dhabi law allows civil marriage for non-Muslims The decree from Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan also establishes a court to handle non-Muslim family matters. United Arab Emirates
Egyptians want preacher who justified violence against women stopped The statements of an Egyptian preacher who justified violence against women raised the ire of social media users and prompted activists to demand that he be prevented from appearing in the media. Egypt
Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta denounces fatwa on marital intimacy A fatwa by an unofficial body on the number of times a husband must have intercourse with his wife sparked controversy on social media, prompting Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta to denounce the fatwa as it belittles women’s rights. Egypt
Palestinian NGO to form network in Gaza for women affected by war The Center for Women's Affairs in the Gaza Strip announced that it will establish a national network to develop plans to support women in times of crisis and war. Palestine
Female volunteers in northwestern Syria raise awareness of breast cancer Volunteers raise breast cancer awareness among women in opposition areas in northwestern Syria, where access to health care is limited. Syria
Gazan women find haven at ladies-only pools More resorts in the Gaza Strip are offering ladies-only swimming pools, allowing women to relax and enjoy the sun away from public eyes. Palestine
Gaza's few beauty salons struggle to meet demand Demand for plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures is rising in the Gaza Strip despite a lack of clinics. Palestine
Egyptian rights advocates welcome fatwa forbidding short-term marriages Women's rights campaigners are hoping a recent fatwa forbidding tahleel marriages will pave the way for a law criminalizing the archaic practice. Egypt
Qatar says Taliban rights abuses 'very disappointing' Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani lamented the Taliban's "backward" steps. Qatar
'Hymen reconstruction fatwa' stirs controversy in Egypt A fatwa by a senior Muslim scholar permitting hymen repair in certain circumstances has sparked controversy on social media, with critics fearing it may encourage girls to engage in sex out of wedlock. Egypt
Qatar calls on Taliban to respect women's rights Qatar said that the gains women made under the previous Afghan government should not be undone by the Taliban, which is notorious for its treatment of women. Qatar
