Middle East
Following in the footsteps of her mother, renowned tatreez artist Feryal Abbasi-Ghnaim, Wafa Ghnaim of Tatreez & Tea is on a mission to preserve and promote tatreez, proudly claiming this beautiful textile art form for Palestinians across the globe and encouraging new generations of embroiderers to practice this age-old art.
In the heart of Jebel Al-Weibdeh, Amman lies the Jordanian National Gallery of Fine Arts and its beautiful sculpture garden. A quiet haven in the middle of the bustling city, the park and the gallery play host to an ever-changing array of art from across the Middle East and beyond.
We’re taking a delicious trip across the Middle East and North Africa via a mouth-watering array of dishes and drinks. Middle Eastern and North African cuisine is hugely varied, drawing on the wealth of herbs and spices available in the region and age-old traditions from hundreds of different cultures. From mint tea and qahwa to delicious stews, succulent barbecued carp, and even snails with lavender, there are so many incredible flavours to discover and this list of food and drinks to try is just the beginning.
Elegantly dressed in the pilot uniforms of Yemenia Airways, Captain Khattab al-Naami, born in Taiz, and co-pilot Mohammed al-Ansi from Al-Jawf, looked nervous, as if they were about to take their first flight test. They were in fact about to fly one of the most important flights in Yemen’s history. The atmosphere was joyous as passengers awaited the departure of the flight from Amman to Sana’a on May 16. It marked the reopening of Yemen’s main airport to commercial flights nearly six years after its closure.
In his new book, Impossible Victory: How Iraq Defeated Daesh, former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi gives a deeply personal account of the recent history of Iraq, from the early days of Saddam Hussein’s regime through to the US occupation and the war against terrorism and sectarianism that defined his career. As well as offering an inside account of a defining moment in Iraq’s recent history, the book sheds light on some of the key dynamics shaping the geopolitics of the wider Middle East today.
Wondering what you should read this summer? Look no further than our top picks of books by Middle Eastern and North African authors – a list of unforgettable reads that will keep you captivated whether you’ve got a packed summer of travel planned, or are looking forward to balmy evenings lounging with a book at home. From timeless love stories to unwind with, to compelling short stories that will keep you on the edge of your deck chair, your next perfect read will be on this list!
To mark Pride Month, we’re sharing a list of resources for anyone who’d like to learn more about LGBTQIA+ issues across the Middle East and North Africa, and in diaspora communities around the world.
Set between sprawling white sand beaches, ancient ruins and a freshwater lagoon, the Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Ananatara is perfectly placed for the ultimate Salalah getaway. On the shores of the Arabian Sea, Salalah is Oman’s tropical paradise. This beautiful city is famed for its blissful coastline, unending supply of fresh coconuts, and of course the novelty of monsoon rains in the desert – Salalah’s khareef season! Immerse yourself in Arabian hospitality, history, and incredible food in the Land of Frankincense – and stay in the lap of luxury at the Al Baleed Resort for the trip of a lifetime!
It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and this week we’re highlighting people and organisations doing brilliant things in the field of mental health, from spreading knowledge and acceptance of mental health conditions, to providing mental health care to those in crisis, and sharing strategies and tips on how to cope with everything from social anxiety to intrusive thoughts.