In photos: Muslims kick off Eid al-Adha across the Middle East The holiday’s arrival cast a spotlight on deepening humanitarian crises, leadership transitions and shifting regional dynamics. Saudi Arabia
Egypt, Greece pledge to protect Mount Sinai monastery after court ruling: What to know Greece and Egypt have launched a diplomatic effort to reaffirm the status of Saint Catherine’s Monastery, one of the most revered monasteries in Christianity. Egypt
Saudi Arabia releases Iranian cleric who criticized Hajj: What to know Iran-Saudi Arabia relations have improved in recent years, including in Hajj-related cooperation, though tensions remain over Iran’s regional policies. Saudi Arabia
Pope Francis, voice for Middle East peace and first to visit Gulf, dies at 88 Pope Francis died on Monday after serving as pontiff for 11 years, advocating for human rights and inclusion in the Middle East and beyond. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Muslims across Middle East welcome Ramadan despite war, inflation By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Palestinian, Turkish ethnic mixture persists over times Many Palestinians from Gaza are leaving the besieged enclave for Turkey in search of better living conditions. Palestine
Egyptian archaeologists unwrap Amenhotep I mummy, rewrite history Egyptian archaeologists rewrite history after digitally unwrapping the mummy of Pharaoh King Amenhotep I, whose secrets were kept for thousands of years. Culture
Egyptian revives 5,000-year-old martial art Cairo is working to revive interest in the 5,000-year-old marital art of tahteeb, which soldiers practiced to train for war. Culture
Palestinian embroidery represents social, cultural identity on UNESCO list Palestinians praise the registration of embroidery on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List after Israeli attempts to attribute the traditional embroidered Palestinian dress to themselves. Culture
Palestinians decry 'cultural theft' as Miss Universe contestants wear Bedouin clothes Palestinians found it offensive for the contestants in Miss Universe 2021, which was held in Eilat, to wear the traditional Palestinian dress, and are now demanding that Israel be held accountable for what they deemed cultural "theft." Palestine
Israelis long to reconnect with Arab, Islamic homelands Many Israeli Jews with Middle Eastern origins remember a painful expulsion from their homelands and want to preserve and celebrate the history of those Jewish communities. Israel
New secrets revealed in discovery at Heliopolis, Egypt's most ancient capital Egyptian and German archaeologists have been working for 15 years to uncover the ruins of a city, the center of sun worship, in the Matariyyah region east of Cairo. This month, they revealed the remains of one of its temples belonging to King Nectanebo I. Culture
Dancer pushes for UNESCO to recognize Egyptian belly dancing Egyptian dancer Amie Sultan is working to get classical belly dance recognized as Egyptian heritage globally. Culture
Children's books share Sudan's endangered Nobiin with new readers Three Nubian-Sudanese writers have published children's books written in the Nobiin language and using the Old Nubian script. Culture
Race against time to save Europe’s largest timber building A first step forward in the effort to save Europe’s largest timber building in Istanbul has been completed, but experts warn the restoration is progressing slowly. Turkey
Turkish synagogues get makeover as Izmir strives for UNESCO stamp An ambitious effort to revive Izmir’s Jewish heritage is paying off as the Turkish city vies for a place on the UNESCO heritage list. Turkey
Egypt to announce opening of world’s largest open museum in Luxor governorate As part of Egypt’s efforts to boost tourism, the Ministry of Antiquities bets on the restoration of El-Kebash Road in Luxor, which is one of the biggest open-air archaeological sites in the world. Culture
