feminism

Top Five Books for Summer 2021 – Middle East Edition

Forget that last minute dash to the bookshop wondering what to read – I’ve done the hard work for you and created a list of my top five recommendations to read this summer so you can skip straight to relaxing! So, let’s dive right into my list of the best Middle Eastern books for your summer reading – whether you’re looking for a captivating novel to sink into, hard hitting essays or even to practice your Arabic, we’ve got just the books for you!

Dihya, the legendary Amazigh warrior of the Aures

This week we’ve teamed up with Amazing Amazigh to share the story of Dihya, the legendary Amazigh queen and warrior. Amazigh (or Imazighen) is the name given to the indigenous people of North Africa. Scroll down to read all about Dihya’s role in the history of North Africa and how she became a symbol of Amazigh resistance and a Maghribi (North African) feminist icon!

3 Arab women filmmakers causing a stir

You may have seen the news of the recent successes of Syrian wife, mother and filmmaker Waad al-Kateab’s remarkable documentary, For Sama. We thought this would be an excellent opportunity to showcase and celebrate Waad’s story and her success, along with some of the other great achievements of Arab women in film in recent years. Below are three incredible films from inspiring female directors from the Arab World that you absolutely need to watch!

#Influencers: 5 people inspiring positive change in the Middle East and beyond

These five awe-inspiring change-makers are using their platforms – along with their vision, passion and determination – to empower communities and shape culture in the Middle East and beyond, and we’re so excited to share them with you!

Halah Hamrani: The Saudi boxing instructor teaching women to ‘Fight Like a Girl’

Halah Al Hamrani is a Saudi martial arts instructor and owner of the FLAG (Fight Like…

The Iranian women’s movement is seeing a slow revolution

It’s hard to imagine a society that prohibits the participation and viewing of sports based…

Freedom Is an Inside Job: Iraqi Activist Zainab Salbi on how to heal the world

Zainab Salbi is an Iraqi humanitarian, author and activist who founded Women for Women International…

Farewell, Damascus: On the Road to Freedom

Set in 1960s Damascus, Ghada Samman’s novel is an eminent celebration of life and female emancipation, but it also serves as a poignant reminder that the same rights and freedom of women are still being fought over both in the Syria and around the world.

The Omani Village That’s Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship

By Tone Delin Indrelid Just across the road from the serene looking green domed mosque…