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Culture

Bassem Youssef attends the 2020 Sundance Film Festival Cinema Cafe on January 31, 2020, in Park City, Utah.

Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef no longer on X: What we know

The exiled comic has been a vocal critic of Israel, highlighting the plight of the Palestinians during the Gaza war but has recently been accused of antisemitism.

Visitors tour the site in the Saqqara necropolis south of Cairo, where archaeologists unearthed two human and animal embalming workshops, as well as two tombs, on May 27, 2023. The head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, told reporters the embalming workshops, where humans and animals were mummified, "date back to the 30th dynasty" which reigned around 2,400 years ago. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

CT scans reveal mysteries of ancient Egypt's 'Screaming Woman' mummy

Al-Monitor interviewed Cairo University radiology professor Sahar Saleem on her high-tech research into this unique mummy.

Imane Khelif

Middle East athletes rack up 44 medals at Paris Olympics

Ten Middle Eastern countries won medals at this year's Paris games.

This photograph shows Paris 2024 Olympics Games banner in front of the National Assembly, in Paris, on July 18, 2024.

From Egypt to Saudi: Meet Middle East's athletes at Paris Olympics

Burgeoning Iraqi soccer star Ali Jasim and 2020 Israeli gold medal–winning gymnast Artem Dolgopyat are among the most-known competitors from the region.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Latest News

Analysis

Saudi Arabia's soccer dreams tested as Vision 2030 goal posts move

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 4: Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates after scoring the 2nd goal during the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Nassr and Al Wehda at Al Awwal Park on May 4, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.(Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Ancient lost city may have been unearthed in UAE: What we know

Researchers believe these ancient residential buildings may represent part of the lost city of Tu'am in the United Arab Emirates. The city is thought to have reached its zenith in the sixth century.

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Sudan's war devastates cultural heritage as rival generals vie for power

This picture taken on April 24, 2018, shows Meroitic pyramids at the archaeological site of Bajarawiya, near Hillat ed Darqab, some 250 kilometers northeast of Khartoum.

Lebanon's resistance through culture: Return of Beirut’s Metropolis Cinema

A visitor looks at portraits of late Franco-Lebanese film director Maroun Baghdadi and pictures from his movies at the venue of an exhibition dedicated to his memory in Beirut on December 12, 2023, as Lebanon commemorates the 30th annivesary of his death in an accident at the age of 43. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Nazlan Ertan

In Izmir, reporting on culture

Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Rebecca Anne Proctor

In Dubai, reporting on culture

A man watches a video of Iranian singer Shervin Hajipour, who was released in Tehran today after being arrested for his song in support of protests over the death of Mahsa Amini, in the Cypriot capital Nicosia on October 4, 2022. - Hajipour, a 25-year-old Iranian pop singer and songwriter, rose to fame for the song "Baraye", "For", in which he put together messages posted on Twitter about the reasons for protests. The emotional performance became a viral hit on different social media platforms, with million

Iran sentences 'Baraye' singer Shervin Hajipour to three years in jail

The singer’s hit "Baraye" became an anthem for the 2022 anti-government protests in Iran and his sentencing is the latest example of the Islamic Republic’s repression of those who took part in them.

Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images

Why did Saudi soccer league suspend Cristiano Ronaldo?

Ronaldo’s time in Riyadh has been successful, but the Saudi Pro League is facing some challenges after luring many star players to the kingdom in 2023.

A picture taken on Aug. 25, 2022, shows the minaret and a courtyard at the Great Mosque of Algiers.

What we know about Algeria’s mega mosque, the largest in Africa

The inauguration of the mosque culminates years of delay, partially prompted by country’s political history but also with construction controversies.

Texas A&M Qatar

Qatar Foundation blames 'disinformation' for Texas A&M closure

The US university decided to to close its branch in the Gulf state due to “heightened instability” in the region amid the war in the Gaza Strip.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: Annie Lennox performs onstage during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Grammys feature Gaza cease-fire calls, keffiyeh & support for Israeli hostages

The devastation continues in Gaza despite international efforts to reach a cease-fire as the death toll surpasses 27,000.

Race camels resting before a race in Qatar.

Kuwait holds annual camel race as sport regains regional traction

Camel racing is popular throughout the region, even as other sports grow.

Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his team fourth goal during the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 20, 2023. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No vi

Egyptians lash out at Mohamed Salah for leaving Africa Cup mid-tournament

Soccer is a national obsession for Egyptians, and star Mohamed Salah leaving the Africa Cup of Nations for treatment of an injury in England has drawn a wave of controversy.

Orthodox worshippers attend a Christmas mass at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Jan. 7, 2024.

Gaza 100 days: Palestinian heritage, churches, mosques decimated by Israeli strikes

Hundreds of heritage and other historical landmarks have been damaged in the ongoing Israeli offensive on Gaza.

A model wearing clothing from Shahira Mehrez's collection.

'Costumes of Egypt: Lost Legacies': An author's bid to save forgotten identities

Art expert Shahira Mehrez talks about her quest to recollect and preserve the Egyptian women’s traditional costumes.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Fatal 'Brazilian butt lift' reveals ugly side of cosmetic tourism in Turkey

Turkey is a premier destination for cosmetic surgery thanks to low prices and attractive vacation packages, but not everyone is making it home in better shape.

Entrance to the Magen Abraham synagogue in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on Aug. 11, 2009.

Passing of leader of Lebanon’s tiny Jewish community comes at heavy moment

The country is now home to 29 Jews, as thousands fled during the civil war in the past century amid rising anti-Jewish sentiment.

Saudi Arabia sets art ambitions with Noor Riyadh Festival

A tour of this year’s Noor Riyadh Festival sheds light on Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a cultural hub and, consequently, a tourism hub in the region.