Artistic heart of Iraq's Kurdistan thrives, but wants more public engagement Sulaimaniyah, often called the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s “culture capital,” has become something of a haven for artists, though obstacles remain for the vibrant and self-sustaining artistic center they envision. Iraq
Libyan artists turn to black comedy to show youth exploitation A play dubbed “Chocolate Egg” uses black comedy to show the exploitation of young Libyans by officials to lure them into military formations. North Africa
Saudi 2030 to expand art scene in Jeddah, Riyadh With Saudi Arabia’s new social reform plan the local art scene is blooming with a plethora of cultural initiatives. Legacy: Gulf
Gaza's first female beekeeper expands apiary The enclave's first female beekeeper speaks about the challenges facing Gaza's beekeeping profession. Palestine
New initiative brings Quran to Gaza's hearing-impaired The Future Society for Deaf Adults in the Gaza Strip is offering religious courses for the deaf and hearing-impaired, teaching them the Quran for the first time. Palestine
Egypt seeks to battle extremism through religious education Egypt's Ministry of Awqaf is once again opening its training camps for religious education, looking to include women and young people in an effort to fight extremism. Egypt
Egypt's Al-Azhar rejects Tunisia's calls for equal inheritance for women Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi's calls to change the inheritance law faced backlash across the region, with Egypt's Al-Azhar sharply denouncing them. Tunisia
Refugees’ fate in limbo as Iraqi Kurdistan referendum nears The Sept. 25 referendum on independence in Iraqi Kurdistan may turn the predominantly Sunni Arab displaced community into a new source of tension between the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Region. Iraq
Education key battleground as Rouhani’s second term begins As President Hassan Rouhani begins his second term, education emerges as a key political battleground. Iran
Turkey's exporters fear extended holiday may devastate their businesses Turkey's tourism operators are overjoyed at the government decision to extend the Eid al-Adha break to 10 days, but exporters are furious at the potential loss in overseas business. Turkey
Israel's culture minister pressures theater over Palestinian poet An event hosted by the Arab-Hebrew Theater in Jaffa supporting Israeli-Palestinian poet Dareen Tatour generated a harsh reaction by Israel's Culture Minister Miri Regev, who threatened to cut state funding to the theater. Israel
Palestinian graduate's thorny business blossoms Haneen Ghanem's cactus-collecting hobby has flowered into the creation of a cactus nursery on a rooftop in the Jenin refugee camp. Palestine
Turkish dam project would wipe out ancient town A Turkish government dam project is threatening to flood a 12,000-year-old ancient settlement, bringing Turkey to the verge of losing traces of at least 10 civilizations. Turkey
Turkish foundation helps Syrians recover from devastation of war The Turkiye Diyanet Foundation is restoring mosques in the Syrian province of Aleppo, recruiting preachers and teachers and providing hundreds of job opportunities. Syria
Turks rediscover love for watermelon Watermelon-loving Turks are discovering new benefits of the fruit, from fighting cancer to reducing impotence, and farmers who are seeing lower demand for their watermelon are hoping this translates to higher profits. Turkey
Hotline helps Lebanese talk about sex With no sex education in Lebanon's schools, the launch of a new hotline gives the Lebanese a chance to ask their questions related to sex, relationships, sexual health and gender identity. Lebanon
