Politics articles
The Iraq Report: 10 years on, Yazidis are still haunted by the Sinjar massacre
The Iraq Report: Mosul's long road to recovery after liberation from the Islamic State
The Iraq Report: Mosul's long road to recovery after liberation from the Islamic State
The Sinjar massacre marked the start of the Islamic State's genocidal campaign against Yazidis. Ten years later, the community still faces immense challenges.
The Iraq Report: Mosul's long road to recovery after liberation from the Islamic State
The Iraq Report: Mosul's long road to recovery after liberation from the Islamic State
The Iraq Report: Mosul's long road to recovery after liberation from the Islamic State
On 21 July 2017, Iraq's second city Mosul was liberated from the Islamic State after three years of brutal rule. But has the traumatised city recovered?
The Iraq Report: 10 years after the Islamic State's 'caliphate'
The Iraq Report: Mosul's long road to recovery after liberation from the Islamic State
Iraq report: A decade on, what is the legacy of IS' Speicher Massacre?
A decade since the Islamic State declared its 'caliphate' in Iraq and Syria, its legacy of violence continues to shape the country's path towards recovery.
Iraq report: A decade on, what is the legacy of IS' Speicher Massacre?
Iraq report: A decade on, what is the legacy of IS' Speicher Massacre?
The 2014 Speicher massacre continues to significantly impact Iraqi politics today, a full decade later. Here's why
Will Iraq's new October (Tishreen) parties garner votes?
When Iraqi anti-establishment protesters took to the streets in Oct. 2019, their key demand was reform of Iraq’s post-2003 political system, which is based on ethno sectarian quotas. Known as Muhasasa Ta’ifia in Arabic (ethno-sectarian apportionment), the ruling system has structurally failed to protect Iraqi living standards. Instead, various parties have held a firm grip onto power because of the apportionment system, which distributes power to political parties based on sect and ethnicity. Under these conditions, problematic patronage networks and corruption have become rampant.
Despite long odds, Iraq weighs up nuclear option in bid to solve energy crisis
Prime Minister al-Kadhimi, faced with many obstacles in rebuilding Iraq’s nuclear energy programme, gets a boost from the French.
What is the future of US-Iraq relations?
Iraqis struggle against authoritarian tactics, Iranian interference
Iraqis struggle against authoritarian tactics, Iranian interference
While some Iraqis celebrated the death of Soleimani, others – especially supporters of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) – were enraged.
Iraqis struggle against authoritarian tactics, Iranian interference
Iraqis struggle against authoritarian tactics, Iranian interference
Iraqis struggle against authoritarian tactics, Iranian interference
While it is difficult to prove who’s behind the kidnappings and torture, several media sources suggested that Iran-backed Shia militias and political groups in Basra were responsible for the sporadic attacks.
Leaks of Iran influence no surprise to Iraqis
Iraqis struggle against authoritarian tactics, Iranian interference
Patronage system, a source of Iraq’s many woes
Ground-breaking disclosures of secret intelligence reports within the Iranian government revealed how Iran controls much of the Iraqi government since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Patronage system, a source of Iraq’s many woes
ISIS legacy in Iraq has an enduring effect on Yazidi survivors
Patronage system, a source of Iraq’s many woes
The elite pact part of the Muhasasa Ta’ifia has encouraged the growth of corruption within Iraqi society.
ISIS legacy in Iraq has an enduring effect on Yazidi survivors
ISIS legacy in Iraq has an enduring effect on Yazidi survivors
ISIS legacy in Iraq has an enduring effect on Yazidi survivors
A statement by an Iraqi aid worker named Yousef said an average of 1-2 Yazidi women committed suicide each day in 2015.
Environment & HEALTH articles
Preserving Iraq's Mesopotamian Marshes in the Face of Climate Challenges
The essays in this Carnegie Endowment (The Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center) compendium aim to counter the overly securitized and deterministic thinking around climate change by bringing issues of governance and politics into the climate conversation of the Arab world.
Drawing on Carnegie Endowment’s field-based expertise across the region, the collection focuses on how regimes and local actors can better build climate resilience through socioeconomic and political reforms and not just technical fixes. It spans a broad geographic sampling of cases and a wide variety of contexts.
I was selected to represent Iraq and write an essay about how a number of contributing factors, including climate change, have contributed towards the deterioration of Iraq's Mesopotamian Marshes. In this essay, I also provide policy recommendations for the current Government of Iraq to consider when working towards the preservation of the UNESCO world heritage site.
Resilience after Daesh: Making Mosul green again
Historian-blogger’s efforts bear fruits as citizens join project to plant 5,000 trees across the devastated city in Iraq.
A water crisis in Iraq
Iraq's southern marshes challenged by storm of crises
As global temperatures climb, Basra is experiencing temperatures hovering at 50 degrees while suffering severe water shortages; delays in a massive desalination project are making an already intolerable situation worse.
Iraq's southern marshes challenged by storm of crises
Political and environmental factors affecting Southern Iraq's water shortages
Iraq's southern marshes challenged by storm of crises
An insight on the Eden in Iraq Wastewater Garden Project and the project's aim of providing environmental and cultural regeneration via the use of constructed wetlands in the Mesopotamian Marshes.
Political and environmental factors affecting Southern Iraq's water shortages
Political and environmental factors affecting Southern Iraq's water shortages
Political and environmental factors affecting Southern Iraq's water shortages
Southern Iraq's water shortages are caused by problems both political – with Turkey constructing dams and hydropower plants on the Tigris and Euphrates – and environmental – with the mass accumulation of aquatic plants near canals.
العوامل السياسية والبيئية المؤثرة على نقص المياه في جنوب العراق
Political and environmental factors affecting Southern Iraq's water shortages
Political and environmental factors affecting Southern Iraq's water shortages
الترجمة العربية للمدونة الأصلية مكتوبة باللغة الإنجليزية
A water crisis in Basra the new Iraqi government must resolve
Year after poisoning disaster, Iraq seeks end to its water crisis
A water crisis in Basra the new Iraqi government must resolve
One crucial promise that has been repeatedly broken in Basra and needs to be resolved immediately is ending the water crisis.
Iraq and its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic
Year after poisoning disaster, Iraq seeks end to its water crisis
A water crisis in Basra the new Iraqi government must resolve
Iraq has implemented measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, but confusing messages and political opportunism are hobbling an effective response.
Year after poisoning disaster, Iraq seeks end to its water crisis
Year after poisoning disaster, Iraq seeks end to its water crisis
Year after poisoning disaster, Iraq seeks end to its water crisis
Sustainable solutions to the water crisis in Iraq have proven to be a challenge because of a lack of awareness of how everyday practices harm water quality and the environment in often irreversible ways.
features articles (I)
Meet Wijdan Al-Majid, the Iraqi muralist at the forefront of Baghdad's cultural renaissance
'The future is data driven': Meet Ai-Da, the humanoid robot challenging our ideas of intelligence
'The future is data driven': Meet Ai-Da, the humanoid robot challenging our ideas of intelligence
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Baghdad's creative milieu is on its way to being restored. This is in part due to a dedicated team of artists and architects who have helped beautify the city's architecture, of which Wijdan al-Majid is a member.
'The future is data driven': Meet Ai-Da, the humanoid robot challenging our ideas of intelligence
'The future is data driven': Meet Ai-Da, the humanoid robot challenging our ideas of intelligence
'The future is data driven': Meet Ai-Da, the humanoid robot challenging our ideas of intelligence
As we continue to tumble into the age of AI, new innovations pose new questions about our place in the world, our purpose and what have to offer. The New Arab speaks with the founder of Ai-Da, a humanoid robot, about how to navigate these futures.
Zaha Hadid: The 'Queen of the Curve' and the Central Bank of Iraq
'The future is data driven': Meet Ai-Da, the humanoid robot challenging our ideas of intelligence
From the rust of death, a rebirth: The artist using 9/11 detritus for peace-affirming art
Arabs in the UK series: As one of her final commissioned works, renowned British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid was entrusted to rebuild the Central Bank of Iraq after the 2010 attack. As the project nears completion, we take stock of her enduring legacy.
From the rust of death, a rebirth: The artist using 9/11 detritus for peace-affirming art
From the rust of death, a rebirth: The artist using 9/11 detritus for peace-affirming art
British artist and sculptor Piers Secunda has been making drawings using rust ink, paying particular attention to surroundings nearby Osama bin Laden’s compound in the vicinity of Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Remembering Grenfell and the preservation of a united community through the love of food
After the Grenfell fire tragedy, the local community came together in many different ways including through the love of food, where witnesses and survivors could provide support to one another.
Amman's unique jazz festival improvises with virtual celebrations
Musiqa al-Daraj will show indie performances on the MMAG Foundation staircases of old Amman.
West End musical celebrates Arab diva Umm Kulthum
Marrakech a magnet of foreign investment in real estate
Marrakech a magnet of foreign investment in real estate
Performing alongside talented West End dancers and singers, Syrian soprano Lubana Al Quntar played the role of the Arab diva.
Marrakech a magnet of foreign investment in real estate
Marrakech a magnet of foreign investment in real estate
Marrakech a magnet of foreign investment in real estate
The French rank first for buying properties because of Morocco’s proximity to Europe and historically strong business ties between the French and Moroccans.
A savoury taste of Iraq at London's Borough Market
Marrakech a magnet of foreign investment in real estate
A savoury taste of Iraq at London's Borough Market
JUMA Kitchen’s aim is quite clear. It is to shed light on the positive attributes that Iraq has to offer — in this case cuisine.
London's auctions give insight into Islamic Art
The Significance of Paper for the Development of Islamic Calligraphy in Qur’anic Manuscripts
A savoury taste of Iraq at London's Borough Market
The piece that sparked a lot of excitement was a Quran written for Sultan Qaytbay (1468-96), the 18th Mamluk sultan of Egypt.
Iraq heritage: from the cradle of civilisation to the vortex of destruction
The Significance of Paper for the Development of Islamic Calligraphy in Qur’anic Manuscripts
The Significance of Paper for the Development of Islamic Calligraphy in Qur’anic Manuscripts
British artist Piers Secunda hopes the Iraqi education system will encourage the teaching of cultural history.
The Significance of Paper for the Development of Islamic Calligraphy in Qur’anic Manuscripts
The Significance of Paper for the Development of Islamic Calligraphy in Qur’anic Manuscripts
The Significance of Paper for the Development of Islamic Calligraphy in Qur’anic Manuscripts
The Islamic world occupied the seat of learning in a number of disciplines such as science, mathematics, engineering, and religion for a number of centuries. Paper, one of the most frequently used materials in present-day life, was invented in China presumably as early as the 2nd century BCE. According to legend, the art of paper-making was discovered by Abbasid forces following the capture of Chinese prisoners during the Battle of Talas in 751 A.D. Realising the importance of this material, the Islamic world began manufacturing and distributing paper on a large scale. The earliest centres of production were situated in Samarkand and in the region of Khorasan in north-eastern Iran.
features articles (II)
Blue Mist: Muslim masculinity, shisha lounges, and the dream of journalism
Beirut Blues-Rock band The Wanton Bishops return with their new and upcoming album Under the Sun
Beirut Blues-Rock band The Wanton Bishops return with their new and upcoming album Under the Sun
On at London's Royal Court Theatre, Mohamed-Zain Dada's debut play 'Blue Mist' explores the lives of three British Pakistanis navigating a system that isn't built for them. The play is a poignant take on how Islamophobia manifests itself in the UK.
Beirut Blues-Rock band The Wanton Bishops return with their new and upcoming album Under the Sun
Beirut Blues-Rock band The Wanton Bishops return with their new and upcoming album Under the Sun
Beirut Blues-Rock band The Wanton Bishops return with their new and upcoming album Under the Sun
The New Arab sat down with Nader Mansour to discuss the journey and aspirations of Beirut Blues-Rock band The Wanton Bishops for the new generation of Lebanon.
Lamya's Poem: Soundtracking Rumi's metaphorical melodies
Beirut Blues-Rock band The Wanton Bishops return with their new and upcoming album Under the Sun
The Beekeeper of Aleppo: A theatrical adaptation of Syrian strife
The soundtrack to the captivating refugee animation, Lamya's Poem, is set to be released this week. Composed by Emmy-award-winning composer Christopher Willis, The New Arab sat down with him to chat about his inspirations and his creative process.
The Beekeeper of Aleppo: A theatrical adaptation of Syrian strife
Eternal threads: Asmaa Alanbari's 'Gilgamesh Contemporary II' is a fusion of past and present
The Beekeeper of Aleppo: A theatrical adaptation of Syrian strife
A faithful adaptation of Christy Lefteri's book by the same name, The Beekeeper of Aleppo play deals with the torturous journey of Syrians to Europe after fleeing the war. The play emphasises the fragility of comfort and a shared desire for safety.
Baghdaddy: A fragmented spotlight on Iraqi family trauma in the time of Saddam Hussein
Eternal threads: Asmaa Alanbari's 'Gilgamesh Contemporary II' is a fusion of past and present
Eternal threads: Asmaa Alanbari's 'Gilgamesh Contemporary II' is a fusion of past and present
Iraqis under the regime of Saddam Hussein faced a continuously threatened identity of self, with this generational trauma lingering today. Baghdaddy, performed at the Royal Court Theatre in London, unravels this period with humour and tragedy.
Eternal threads: Asmaa Alanbari's 'Gilgamesh Contemporary II' is a fusion of past and present
Eternal threads: Asmaa Alanbari's 'Gilgamesh Contemporary II' is a fusion of past and present
Eternal threads: Asmaa Alanbari's 'Gilgamesh Contemporary II' is a fusion of past and present
Asmaa Alanbari's 'Gilgamesh Contemporary II' is a dazzling music, dance, and audio-visual performance inspired by the ancient Babylonian epic poem, Gilgamesh.
Motaz, Bisan, Plestia: London iconifies journalists of Gaza
Motaz, Bisan, Plestia: London iconifies journalists of Gaza
Motaz, Bisan, Plestia: London iconifies journalists of Gaza
A mural project has been launched in London to honour Palestinian journalists who have risked their lives to show the reality of life in Gaza and Palestine.
Shubbak Festival: Where Arab creativity takes center stage
Motaz, Bisan, Plestia: London iconifies journalists of Gaza
Motaz, Bisan, Plestia: London iconifies journalists of Gaza
Shubbak Festival, a biannual cultural showcase, proudly champions avant-garde voices in modern Arab culture. Shubbak, ‘window’ in Arabic, this event serves as a dynamic portal into the richness of Arab culture. The festival unites a diverse array of Arab artists, fostering collaborations that transcend borders, connecting local and international talent.
Eid al-Fitr 2024: Where to donate Zakat for Palestine
Motaz, Bisan, Plestia: London iconifies journalists of Gaza
Eid al-Fitr 2024: Where to donate Zakat for Palestine
Eid al-Fitr is a time for giving. Donate your Zakat and help Palestinians in Gaza with these 10 charitable Zakat programmes.
What is Egypt’s Sham El-Nessim holiday?
Fathi Hassan's Shifting Sands: An Egyptian-Nubian artist's odyssey at London's Frieze gallery
Eid al-Fitr 2024: Where to donate Zakat for Palestine
On May 6, Egyptians celebrate Sham El-Nessim, the Egyptian national festival marking the beginning of spring.
Explainer: What is the Nakba?
Fathi Hassan's Shifting Sands: An Egyptian-Nubian artist's odyssey at London's Frieze gallery
Fathi Hassan's Shifting Sands: An Egyptian-Nubian artist's odyssey at London's Frieze gallery
On 15 May 2024, Nakba Day will be commemorated worldwide, reflecting on the ongoing struggle of Palestinians against Israeli occupation.
Fathi Hassan's Shifting Sands: An Egyptian-Nubian artist's odyssey at London's Frieze gallery
Fathi Hassan's Shifting Sands: An Egyptian-Nubian artist's odyssey at London's Frieze gallery
Fathi Hassan's Shifting Sands: An Egyptian-Nubian artist's odyssey at London's Frieze gallery
Artist Fathi Hassan's narrative of perseverance and cultural resurgence is showcased in the exhibition 'Shifting Sands' at London's No.9 Cork Street gallery.
features articles (III)
Explainer: What is Hajj?
The Drama of Displacement: The Journey of a Syrian Refugee Through Theatre
The Drama of Displacement: The Journey of a Syrian Refugee Through Theatre
Each year, millions of Muslims worldwide embark on the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj to Mecca, seeking spiritual purification and unity in Islam's holiest journey.
The Drama of Displacement: The Journey of a Syrian Refugee Through Theatre
The Drama of Displacement: The Journey of a Syrian Refugee Through Theatre
The Drama of Displacement: The Journey of a Syrian Refugee Through Theatre
On Thursday 13 June, an event, The Drama of Displacement: The Journey of a Syrian Refugee Through Theatre, took place as part of LSE Festival 2024. It involved a staged a reading from a new play by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler, A Handful of Lentils, which shares the intertwined stories of two women, a Syrian refugee and a Home Office official, both grappling with personal tragedies and the challenges of their lives in the UK.
Zainab Mehdi attended the event and spoke to playwright Nesrin Alrefaai. She shares insight into the play and the power of theatre to tell stories that centre refugees’ lives, explore the politics of immigration and connect with audiences.
Exploring Iraqi-British perspectives on the upcoming UK elections
The Drama of Displacement: The Journey of a Syrian Refugee Through Theatre
No strawberries & cream during genocide: Protesters call for Wimbledon to drop Barclays partnership
Iraqi-Brits in London express frustration with UK mainstream parties, citing the Gaza conflict and lack of representation ahead of the July 4 election.
No strawberries & cream during genocide: Protesters call for Wimbledon to drop Barclays partnership
No strawberries & cream during genocide: Protesters call for Wimbledon to drop Barclays partnership
No strawberries & cream during genocide: Protesters call for Wimbledon to drop Barclays partnership
Following protests on July 1, calls intensify for Wimbledon to sever ties with Barclays over its funding of companies supplying arms to Israel.
From gender to race: Sporting lessons from the Paris Olympics humiliation of Imane Khelif
No strawberries & cream during genocide: Protesters call for Wimbledon to drop Barclays partnership
From gender to race: Sporting lessons from the Paris Olympics humiliation of Imane Khelif
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif's battle with gender accusations at the Paris 2024 Olympics highlights ongoing discrimination against women of colour in sports.
Hollywoodgate: How booze and $7 billion shaped Taliban's return
No strawberries & cream during genocide: Protesters call for Wimbledon to drop Barclays partnership
From gender to race: Sporting lessons from the Paris Olympics humiliation of Imane Khelif
Film review: 'Hollywoodgate' offers a chilling look at Afghanistan's future under Taliban rule, just as the world marks the third "anniversary" of Kabul's fall.
Explainer: What is Arbaeen?
The Egyptian artists not to miss at the 2024 Glasgow Sonica Festival
Malak Mattar on how Israel's crimes stole her joy for colour
Arbaeen, a pilgrimage marking Imam Hussain's martyrdom, will be observed from August 25 to 26, 2024, ending a 40-day mourning period that begins with Ashura.
Malak Mattar on how Israel's crimes stole her joy for colour
The Egyptian artists not to miss at the 2024 Glasgow Sonica Festival
Malak Mattar on how Israel's crimes stole her joy for colour
Malak Mattar's powerful and distinctive art portrays the ongoing struggles of Palestinians amid Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza.
The Egyptian artists not to miss at the 2024 Glasgow Sonica Festival
The Egyptian artists not to miss at the 2024 Glasgow Sonica Festival
The Egyptian artists not to miss at the 2024 Glasgow Sonica Festival
Last week, the biennial Sonica Festival kicked off in Glasgow, with this year's edition spotlighting Egyptian artists. The New Arab visited to speak with them.
How did paper play an integral role in Zaha Hadid's designs?
From coffee dates to I do: The lessons of Love is Blind: Habibi
The Egyptian artists not to miss at the 2024 Glasgow Sonica Festival
The exhibition 'Zaha Hadid: Paper Museums' in London showcases how Zaha Hadid Architects used paper reliefs to develop architect Zaha Hadid's iconic designs.
Inside Israel's year-long assault on Gaza's reproductive power
From coffee dates to I do: The lessons of Love is Blind: Habibi
From coffee dates to I do: The lessons of Love is Blind: Habibi
One year on, The New Arab examines how the Israeli military’s assault has targeted the Palestinian female womb and its devastating impact on women's lives.
From coffee dates to I do: The lessons of Love is Blind: Habibi
From coffee dates to I do: The lessons of Love is Blind: Habibi
From coffee dates to I do: The lessons of Love is Blind: Habibi
As the 'Love Is Blind: Habibi' reunion fast approaches, The New Arab explores key takeaways from the Netflix show, which has been viewed over 1.3 million times.
features articles (IV)
Style sins: The fine line between religious representations in fashion and blasphemy
Visual artist Khandakar Ohida named winner of Victoria and Albert Museum's 7th edition Jameel Prize
Visual artist Khandakar Ohida named winner of Victoria and Albert Museum's 7th edition Jameel Prize
From Elie Saab's Seasons show to Trashy Clothing's Zulfiqar sword belt replica, recent fashion choices spark debates over artistic intent and religious respect.
Visual artist Khandakar Ohida named winner of Victoria and Albert Museum's 7th edition Jameel Prize
Visual artist Khandakar Ohida named winner of Victoria and Albert Museum's 7th edition Jameel Prize
Visual artist Khandakar Ohida named winner of Victoria and Albert Museum's 7th edition Jameel Prize
Khandakar Ohida is the 7th V&A Jameel Prize winner, with her exhibition on view starting this Saturday. The New Arab explores her and the other finalists' works.
Muslim and single? Musly app is here to help you find your match
Visual artist Khandakar Ohida named winner of Victoria and Albert Museum's 7th edition Jameel Prize
Muslim and single? Musly app is here to help you find your match
Musly is a new private-membership dating app for single Muslims, offering curated matchmaking and exclusive events to help users form meaningful connections.
An ethical Christmas gift guide that gives back to Palestine
The best books of 2024: Our top 10 picks from an incredible year in literature
Muslim and single? Musly app is here to help you find your match
With Christmas Day coming up and last-minute shopping in full swing, we present an ethical gift guide, with all or part of proceeds going toward Palestine.
The best books of 2024: Our top 10 picks from an incredible year in literature
The best books of 2024: Our top 10 picks from an incredible year in literature
The best books of 2024: Our top 10 picks from an incredible year in literature
From Abdelaziz Baraka Sakin to Mosab Abu Toha, The New Arab presents a breakdown of some of our top 10 best books of 2024 featured in the Book Club series.
Your guide to MENA art exhibitions in London: What to see in early 2025
The best books of 2024: Our top 10 picks from an incredible year in literature
The best books of 2024: Our top 10 picks from an incredible year in literature
From ancient trade routes to imperial grandeur, The New Arab highlights unmissable MENA art exhibitions in London this early 2025.
Palestinian Jordanian designer Sylwia Nazzal's pieces aren't just fashion, they're statements
Palestinian Jordanian designer Sylwia Nazzal's pieces aren't just fashion, they're statements
Palestinian Jordanian designer Sylwia Nazzal's pieces aren't just fashion, they're statements
The New Arab Meets: Sylwia Nazzal, the Palestinian Jordanian designer and founder of Nazzal Studio, who uses fashion to preserve culture and resist occupation.
Your go-to guide for Valentine’s Day dining in London's best Middle Eastern restaurants
Palestinian Jordanian designer Sylwia Nazzal's pieces aren't just fashion, they're statements
Palestinian Jordanian designer Sylwia Nazzal's pieces aren't just fashion, they're statements
From Akub to Sohaila, The New Arab has compiled a list of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in London, perfect for a memorable Valentine's Day celebration.
LAMSA: The community-based fashion brand uniting Bekaa's women through crochet
Palestinian Jordanian designer Sylwia Nazzal's pieces aren't just fashion, they're statements
LAMSA: The community-based fashion brand uniting Bekaa's women through crochet
Humanitarian action meets ethical fashion with LAMSA as founder Natalie Garland helps women in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley craft their future one crochet at a time.
Ash: The Cairo-born multi-instrumental artist you need to know
Ash: The Cairo-born multi-instrumental artist you need to know
LAMSA: The community-based fashion brand uniting Bekaa's women through crochet
The New Arab Meets: Ash, who opens up about his musical evolution, the importance of his heritage, and his recent success with 'On My Mind', featuring Felukah.
The ultimate 2025 Eid al-Fitr guide for your loved ones
Ash: The Cairo-born multi-instrumental artist you need to know
The ultimate 2025 Eid al-Fitr guide for your loved ones
From sweet and savoury hampers to handcrafted tagines, The New Arab’s Eid gift guide offers a variety of unique presents to make your celebrations unforgettable.
WOMEN & SECURITY ARTICLES
Can celebrity humanitarianism really help resolve the unmet needs of the Yazidi community?
Can celebrity humanitarianism really help resolve the unmet needs of the Yazidi community?
Can celebrity humanitarianism really help resolve the unmet needs of the Yazidi community?
A viral selfie between pop singer Dua Lipa and Yazidi activist Nadia Murad placed a renewed emphasis on the role celebrities can play in advocating for the less fortunate. But in the case of the Yazidis, will such exposure really make a difference?
We need more women in climate change decision-making
Can celebrity humanitarianism really help resolve the unmet needs of the Yazidi community?
Can celebrity humanitarianism really help resolve the unmet needs of the Yazidi community?
Women are often worse affected by climate realities than men but their participation in climate dialogue should be non-negotiable.
Barriers and challenges facing Iraq’s sexual and reproductive health sector
Can celebrity humanitarianism really help resolve the unmet needs of the Yazidi community?
Barriers and challenges facing Iraq’s sexual and reproductive health sector
In an exclusive interview with The New Arab, the Head of Programs at the Iraq Health Access Organization Hayder Ali explains the most pressing barriers that Iraq faces in achieving proper sexual health awareness, and what needs to be done.
Time to address the reproductive health of displaced Iraqi women
Why I’ve Started Mourning for Iraqi Women Amid Iraq’s Personal Status Law Controversy
Barriers and challenges facing Iraq’s sexual and reproductive health sector
Displaced women and girls in conflict settings regularly endure unimaginable difficulties, including hardships that affect their reproductive health. This is often a direct result of a loss of protection, limited access to healthcare and education, and an absence of livelihood as well as community assistance. These challenges make displaced women and girls more vulnerable to sexual violence and leave them facing a heightened risk of exploitation. War-torn countries in the region, including Iraq, are no exception to these phenomena.
Art can play a role in post-conflict recovery
Why I’ve Started Mourning for Iraqi Women Amid Iraq’s Personal Status Law Controversy
Why I’ve Started Mourning for Iraqi Women Amid Iraq’s Personal Status Law Controversy
Speaking to Iraqi Artist and Founder of Iraqi Women Art and War (IWAW) group Rana Ibrahim, this article for the Middle East Monitor news outlet touches on IWAW's efforts to help Iraqi women affected by Iraq's wars process their experiences and communicate their stories through art.
Why I’ve Started Mourning for Iraqi Women Amid Iraq’s Personal Status Law Controversy
Why I’ve Started Mourning for Iraqi Women Amid Iraq’s Personal Status Law Controversy
Why I’ve Started Mourning for Iraqi Women Amid Iraq’s Personal Status Law Controversy
My mourning comes with criticism — not aimed at the country I love, but directed at the lawmakers in power.
book reviews
Zena Agha turns loss into meaning in Objects from April and May
Book Club: Palestinian-Iraqi author Zena Agha's poetry collection transforms a personal robbery into a powerful reflection on loss and cultural heritage.
MAGAZINE FEATURES
Narcy's Homecoming: GQ Middle East's June 2023 Issue
Narcy's Homecoming: GQ Middle East's June 2023 Issue
Narcy's Homecoming: GQ Middle East's June 2023 Issue
GQ MIDDLE EAST JUNE 2023 IRAQ ISSUE
June 2023 GQ Middle East commission to write a special piece about the late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, her architectural approach, and her enduring legacy. The Iraq issue aligned with the 20th "anniversary" of the US invasion.
5'Eleven #12 - The Silk Road Issue
Narcy's Homecoming: GQ Middle East's June 2023 Issue
Narcy's Homecoming: GQ Middle East's June 2023 Issue
5ELEVEN MAGAZINE SILK ROADS #12 ISSUE
For issue 12 of 5ELEVEN magazine, I was invited to write a profile on Zayn Karim, the founder of the Basra Fashion Show and Agency. Additionally, I contributed a travel diary that takes readers on a journey through Iraq from the northern regions all the way to the south.
This issue spans two volumes, each comprising 700 pages filled with stunning visuals and captivating stories, showcasing the rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes from East to West. The issue consists of 12 chapters that celebrate local talents, voices, and cultures, all through the lens of fashion.
ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS
Failing flows: water management in Southern Iraq
Understanding the cause of Iraq’s ‘October Revolution’ during the Adil Abdul-Mahdi administration
Understanding the cause of Iraq’s ‘October Revolution’ during the Adil Abdul-Mahdi administration
This policy brief examines the public water infrastructure in Basra Governorate, southern Iraq. Crucial to the delivery of water services to the population, the long-term deterioration of this infrastructure is a result of armed conflict, international sanctions and defective governance. Water infrastructure upgrading was a priority for state-rebuilding after the 2003 invasion but receded under the civil war. Governmental and donor plans for mega infrastructure water projects have stalled in the face of systemic corruption. Compact water treatment units are the dominant treatment technology, supplying 83 percent of treatment capacity across Basra Governorate and 92 percent in Basra city. The efficiency of water treatment plants supplying Basra city is restricted by the high salt content of water from the Shatt al-Arab and irregular flows from the Bada‘a Canal. Supply flows are impacted by upstream dam construction, climatic variability, pollution and illegal water tapping. In the face of high population growth in southern Iraq, there is a pressing policy need to diversify water sources for Basra and improve the efficiencies of treatment technologies and distribution networks.
Co-authored by Azhar Al-Rubaie, Michael Mason, and Zainab Mehdi.
Understanding the cause of Iraq’s ‘October Revolution’ during the Adil Abdul-Mahdi administration
Understanding the cause of Iraq’s ‘October Revolution’ during the Adil Abdul-Mahdi administration
Understanding the cause of Iraq’s ‘October Revolution’ during the Adil Abdul-Mahdi administration
This policy paper offers an overview of post-2003 Iraq and of the Muhasasa Ta’ifa, and explains how this ethno-sectarian quota system has hindered the democratisation process. Using two examples of the overlooked needs of protesters during the Adil Abdul-Mahdi administration in particular, this policy piece then demonstrates that state ineffectiveness, deriving from the Muhasasa, caused the 2019 protests, also known as the ‘October Revolution’.
tear sheets
