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
Six years later, film on January 25 Revolution reaches Egypt's masses A film focusing on the January 25 Revolution produced in 2011, which was never screened in Egypt, is now stirring controversy after appearing online. Egypt
Sinai initiative targets tribal weddings with push for official documents Egypt’s National Council for Women is taking steps to replace tribal weddings with civil marriage in the Sinai Peninsula by helping women get the proper birth and marriage certificates. Egypt
Fighting revives refugees' hopes of returning to Aleppo After well more than a year living under wretched conditions in refugee camps, thousands of displaced residents from northern Aleppo province hope to return home soon as the Free Syrian Army fights to reclaim towns from the Syrian Democratic Forces. Syria
Activists push Rouhani to appoint women ministers Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is under pressure to appoint women ministers after having focused on addressing the demands of female voters during his campaign for re-election. Iran
'Refugees Got Talent' showcases Syrian performers in Egypt The UNHCR hosted a talent show for refugees in Alexandria, offering displaced Syrians and others a rare chance to perform onstage. Egypt
450-year-old home restored in traditional style in Gaza A Gaza resident has turned his centuries-old house into a Damascene-type home with an inner courtyard, using old cut stones, stained glass and iron. Palestine
Israeli-Arab town's residents fear speaking out after Temple Mount attack Residents of Umm al-Fahm, an Israeli-Arab town that was home to the three perpetrators of Friday's Temple Mount attack, claim that ever since Islamic Movement’s northern branch leader Sheikh Raed Salah was elected mayor, the town has been turning extremely religious. Palestine
Protests continue in Morocco despite crackdown Hirak, a protest movement active in Morocco’s marginalized Rif region, is still going strong despite brutal police repression and arrests. Morocco
Egypt takes stock of neglected antiquities Though its financial resources are limited, Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities is working to finally document the countless antiquities stored for decades in warehouses across the country. Egypt
Saudi Arabia's dependent fees leave Egyptian expats in dire straits Dependents of expat workers in Saudi Arabia will be charged a dependent fee starting in 2017, which is a further strain on the salaries of foreign workers and will likely result in large numbers of families going back home. Saudi Arabia
Arrest of rights activists 'chills' Turkey’s civil society Turkish civil society grapples with the arrests of human rights activists and academics as the government marks the anniversary of the failed military coup. Turkey
Turkey’s ‘great wall’ nearing completion Having finished most of the 435-mile-long wall on the Syria border, Turkey is to erect walls on its borders with Iran and Iraq. Turkey
