Syria

Five Must-See Films From The Middle East To Watch in 2023

This year has been anything but easy, but a host of stellar movie releases from the Middle East made 2022 a remarkable year for filmmaking across the region. We’re ending this year by looking back through these triumphs of cinema, so that you can start 2023 with a ready-made list of outstanding and poignant films to watch. Bear witness to the horrors of the Nakba with Farha, gain a sense of the struggles faced by artists and filmmakers working under Iranian censorship in Jafar Panahi’s No Bears, see life through the eyes of a Syrian family starting a new life in Belgium in My Paper Life, follow Yusra and Sara Mardini’s perilous journey to safety in The Swimmers, and feel true fear with Reem, a Palestinian woman whose life is plunged into disaster in Huda’s Salon.

READING LIST | 10 Essential Books about Syria 2022

Stock up your bookshelves this month with the ten best books to read about Syria. We’ve rounded up the best books by Syrian authors to create the ultimate Syria reading list for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of the country. From poetry, fiction, hard-hitting journalistic accounts and poignant memoirs to cookbooks, this list has you covered whether you’re studying the Syrian crisis, or simply looking for a brilliant new novel to sink into. There’s something for all ages too, with some wonderful ideas for the kids in your life, from preschoolers to teens!

Syria: Ten Years and Counting

For many, the clean slate that early 2021 once promised simply hasn’t transpired. We’d hoped to see the back of the pandemic but have been let down. For many Syrians though, Covid is the last thing on their mind. After all, millions of Syrians have faced similar tragedy – death, destruction, hunger, and poverty – and more, for the last ten years now.

READING LIST | The Arab Spring 10 Years On

Next week will mark the tenth anniversary of the protests that sparked a country-wide uprising…

#GIRLBOSS: 7 Arab Women Changing Their Industries And The World

If you’re in need of a little inspiration to finish 2020 strong (or at all), here are 7 unstoppable Arab women who are achieving incredible things in their industries, which range from media, art, food and fashion to science, journalism, politics the humanitarian sector.

10 essential ingredients for Middle Eastern sweets and desserts

The Middle East is the home of some of the world’s most delicious and indulgent sweets and desserts, from Turkish Delight to Kunafa and Bastani – Iranian ice cream. To make Middle Eastern sweets and desserts at home, make sure you add these 10 cupboard essentials to your shopping list.

DAMASCUS & PALMYRA | New to the Souq – fair trade crochet clutch bags made in Syria

We are delighted to introduce to the Pink Jinn Souq two new products: The DAMASCUS and PALMYRA crochet clutch bags. These beauties were made by a women’s cooperative in Syria which provides employment to women who have lost their livelihoods as a result of the conflict.

Coronavirus in the Middle East: Everything you need to know

Here’s an update on the coronavirus situation in the Middle East, with everything you need to know about which Middle Eastern countries have been affected, how governments have responded, and what the crisis could mean for the future of the region.

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!