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{ Category Archives } Culture

Arab Media Breaking New Ground

The Arab media are exploring new boundaries of what Arab consumers are willing to consume.
Robert F. Worth, “Arab TV Tests Societies’ Limits With Depictions of Sex and Equality,” New York Times, Sept. 27, 2008

2008 09 27 Ted Thornton Arab World
Media Comments (0)

Dubai: Trying to Bridge the Gap Between Secularism and Religion in the Arab World

In the seventh installment in their series “Generation Faithful,” the New York Times profiles life in fast paced Dubai, where an atmosphere of moderation and tolerance help Arab young people bridge the sometimes difficult tension between secular and religious ways of life. However, living in Dubai is still challenging for those foreign Arabs who are used [...]

2008 09 22 Ted Thornton Arab World
Islam
Middle East
Trends Comments (0)

Ramadan: Big Month for TV in the Middle East

Ramadan has become a big month for television in the Muslim Middle East!  The Economist notes:
“Satellite television has taken off in the region like nowhere else. In wealthy Gulf states, some 95% of households own digital receivers; even in poorer countries, such as Jordan and Morocco, the satellite penetration rate now tops 75%. Not surprisingly, [...]

2008 09 08 Ted Thornton Islam
Media Comments (0)

Culture Wars in Gaza

Increasingly, the Islamist agenda of HAMAS, the ruling party in Gaza,  is being challenged by Palestinian youth with more Western and secular tastes.
See:  Michael Kimmelman, “Watching ‘Friends’ in Gaza: A Culture Clash,” New York Times, Sept. 6, 2008
IME Course Study Guide on the Arab-Israeli Conflict

2008 09 07 Ted Thornton Islam and Politics
Palestinians Comments (0)

Iraq’s Marshes To Be Listed as U.N. Heritage Site

Yesterday in class, Dick told us about the marshes in southern Iraq, the culture they spawned, how Saddam Hussein drained those marshes in an effort to destroy that culture, and how the marshes are now being allowed to fill back in. 
The United Nations has decided to list those marshes as a world heritage site.
Story at the [...]

2008 09 06 Ted Thornton Iraq
Natural Resources Comments (0)

New Book About the Spaffords in Jerusalem

Mark Oppenheimer reviews a new book on Horatio and Anna Spafford, who pulled up stakes in Chicago and moved to Jerusalem in the nineteenth century and started the “American Colony” there. 
The book: Jane Fletcher Geniesse. American Priestess: The Extraordinary Story of Anna Spafford and the American Colony in Jerusalem. Doubleday.
Mark Oppenheimer, “Spiritual Controller,” New York [...]

2008 08 10 Ted Thornton Christianity
Middle East Comments (0)

Palestinian Poet Mahmoud Darwish is Dead

The man nicknamed the “national poet” of Palestine has passed away.
Story at BBC

2008 08 10 Ted Thornton Arab World
Arab-Israeli Conflict
Palestinians Comments (0)

A Renowned Egyptian Film Director Has Passed Away

Renowned Egyptian film director Youssef Chahine has died. 
Story at the BBC
Another story about Chahine from the BBC

2008 07 27 Ted Thornton Egypt Comments (0)

New Film Comedy in Egypt Tackles Religious Prejudice

A new film comedy in Egypt that challenges religous prejudice has the country buzzing. 
Story at the BBC

2008 07 27 Ted Thornton Egypt
Islam Comments (0)

Fresh Breezes Blowing in the Egyptian Film Industry

Story at the BBC
 

2008 07 01 Ted Thornton Egypt Comments (0)