Lifestyle
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Saudi Arabia
1 million attend biggest hajj pilgrimage since pandemic
White-robed worshippers from across the world have packed the streets of Mecca as Islam's holiest city prepares to host the biggest hajj pilgrimage since the coronavirus pandemic
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Palestine, Jordan and Syria
The woman preserving handwoven history
Women in the Levant have long used needlework to depict the region’s history, its landscapes, customs and traditions. Intricately embroidered panels, varying in style, colour and pattern reflect the different cultural, religious and family affiliations. One woman, Widad Kawar, has made it her quest to ensure this heritage is not forgotten. Marta Vidal reports from Amman, Jordan
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Emancipation in the MENA region
The patriarchy is crumbling
With regard to gender justice, things look bleak in the Arab world. Laws typically discriminate against women, while national legislation all too often does not comply with the international agreements governments have signed. By Mona Naggar
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Arab culture: Don’t call it belly dancing
Right now, there is a crisis in American belly dancing: highest on the list is the question of cultural appropriation and whether Americans – particularly white Americans – should perform this Middle Eastern dance form at all.
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Rooh Afza, the 'drink of love'
Pink refresher unites wilting Indians and Pakistanis
Pakistan and India have fought three wars and countless skirmishes, but as summers get hotter with climate change, their peoples are united by love for a cooling 115-year-old pink libation with a secret recipe
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Southeast Asia
Indonesia fights violence against women with new law
Indonesia has finally passed a bill, ten years in the making, stipulating tougher penalties for sexual violence. Yet activists maintain the country's conservative culture stifles awareness and prevents victims from speaking up. By Arti Ekawati and Betty Herlina
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Middle East youth culture
Libya rolls out first-ever skatepark
Libya's first-ever skate park opened at the end of May in downtown Tripoli to the delight of local youngsters. Built on a site once used by former dictator Muammar Gaddafi's bodyguards, the free, open-air facilitiy was designed by Australian Wade Trevean and constructed by volunteers from as far afield as the USA
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Gulf region
Women’s empowerment not all it seems
Women's empowerment in the Gulf has become a tool of deflection, rather than a genuine effort to promote women’s full and equal participation in society. By Mira Al-Hussain
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France and Islam
French mayor reignites burkini row
Burkinis have been a long-standing catalyst for dispute in France, calling societal attitudes towards Islam and feminism into question. Rule changes in Grenoble suggest opposition to the garment could be receding, writes Joanna York
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Egypt
Ancient 'zar' ritual puts exorcism on stage
A stage, lights, a mesmerised audience: it looks like an Egyptian folkloric concert, but Umm Sameh is singing to heal the sick by driving out the demons that possess them
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Hindutva target Muslims
Mumbai mosques forced to turn volume down
Follwing demands by a regional Hindu leader that mosque loudspeakers to be turned down in Mumbai, local police intervened to ensure compliance. The row is the latest point of tension between India's Muslims and Hindus, despite repeated assurances by Narendra Modi's ruling BJP that it does not discriminate against anyone
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Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Fitr