Recent
Sahar Esfandiari
Writer
Iranian-British writer with an expertise in the Middle East and its diaspora.
Iranian-British writer with an expertise in the Middle East and its diaspora.
Recent
Being in a state of mental health 'crisis' means something different for each individual. It might look like struggling with overwhelming anxiety in the face of eviction or homelessness and not knowing who to turn to.
Sahar Esfandiari meets Sheyda, an inspiring Iranian small-business owner who took the tea rituals of her Persian heritage and grew it into a beautifully authentic brand, focusing on family, home, and exploring notions of displacement, whilst scrutinising the Western imperial tea industry.
Book Club: Brown Girls by Daphne Palasi Andreades is a vibrant, lyrical love letter to womanhood, community and culture from the perspective of women of colour.
Written by Sahar Esfandiari In 2014 Nikki Meftah and Dima Abdul Kader founded Emergeast, the first online art gallery dedicated to celebrating and supporting emerging and mid-career artists from the WANA region. At the heart of Emergeast's work is a desire to highlight authentic storytelling from the region.
While studying for her masters in Migration and Development Studies and applying for jobs in the humanitarian field, Yemeni-British singer songwriter Intibint came to the realisation that the career path she wanted to follow was in music - an unconventional decision that went against the grain of familial expectations.
From experimenting with a Twilight-inspired story featuring an ‘Iranian Bella’ in her teens to becoming a published author today, Sara is a voice for an overlooked diaspora.
A growing number of food bloggers with roots in the Middle East are unravelling misconceptions and stigma around veganism. Middle Eastern diets across the region are typically rich in fresh vegetables and fruits, but adopting a fully vegan or plant-based diet is deemed radical and out of the ordinary for most people.
Maryam Kazemzadeh is known in Iran for her groundbreaking work as a photojournalist on the frontlines of the Iran-Iraq war. Documenting the devastating eight-year war in the 1980s that left both countries deeply scarred, Kazemzadeh was the first female photojournalist in Iran and is famed for caring for injured soldiers on the frontlines as she worked.
Co-curated by Nardin Sarkis and Akadina Yadegar, the inspiration for the show stemmed from the pair's frustration over the lack of representation of modern Assyrian art in public gallery spaces in the US. " Ancient Assyrian art is frequently exhibited and celebrated, but we wanted to bring the focus to modern-day Assyrians," Sarkis told The New Arab.
Dedicated to showcasing the most exciting work from emerging and established Iraqi filmmakers, the Independent Iraqi Film Festival (IIFF) is the first of its kind. Running for a total of eight days from 21-28 August 2020, the festival programme will screen a total of 13 films, as well as host talks featuring Habibi Collective and shakomako.net, all accessible to audiences online for free via the IIFF platform.
Nicknamed "The Eagle of Iran" by his peers because of the golden eagle tattoo on his back, Vahid Moradi was a notorious gangster who spent most of his life in and out of Iranian prisons.
In recent years, Rumi has become a household name in the West, and work attributed to his name has received unparalleled recognition in popular culture. Rumi was even named the best-selling poet in the US in 2014. Work attributed to the 13th-century Muslim scholar and poet is frequently quoted in the media by celebrities and public figures, such as Ivanka Trump.
Building on her existing platform on Instagram, the London-based creative launched Al Yamaniah in March 2020 in collaboration with six other Yemeni women who share a common goal of changing the global narrative surrounding women in Yemen.
Reflecting on his mixed English-Irish-Iraqi background, Juma recalls fond memories of his childhood growing up in London, eating traditional Iraqi dishes on special occasions. "Dolma, kubba, mezze, leg of lamb, rice with pine nuts and sultanas, I remember so many beautiful spreads," Juma told The New Arab.
The art world is no exception, with leading international art fairs and exhibitions postponed with no certain reschedule dates, and independent galleries and museums forced to temporarily close their doors to visitors. Unsurprisingly, individual artists, gallery owners, and cultural practitioners are still reeling from the damaging effects.
Growing up in rural Ireland as the only child of an Iraqi father and Irish mother, Róisín Tapponi struggled to find representation for one half of her identity. In the secluded countryside, with little else to do, the 21-year-old spent her childhood losing herself in cinema.
meaning 'archive' in Arabic, was founded by London-based journalist and curator Lizzy Vartanian and Sanaa native and artist Ibi Ibrahim. Through , the pair intend to not only facilitate and support the promotion of "We don't ever think of Yemen for its arts scene, but why?
The Middle East Archive Project is a crowd sourced digital photo archive showcasing intimate family photos from the region over the last 100 years. The archive showcases life in countries such as Syria and Iraq, as well as Arab diaspora communities abroad in regions such as South America.
TEHRAN - As Mehdi Khakyan's hands move skilfully across the piano keys, the soft chatter in the room subsides to hone in on the melody of Sultan-e-Ghalbha, a well-loved Iranian classic. Salar Mohammady, the manager, trainer and head barista, is managing orders behind the coffee bar, while 19-year-old Ariya Azad, smiling, carefully serves aromatic cups of rose-infused tea to a table of customers.
The term Saqqakhanah was first used to refer to a contemporary art movement in Iran which arose in 1962, and is largely acknowledged as the first culturally specific modernist art movement. Works and artists belonging to the Saqqakhanah movement centre themselves around influences from traditional Iranian folk culture.
TEHRAN- It's no secret that Iran has a rich artistic heritage. Renowned for its traditional crafts such as calligraphy, mirror work, miniature painting and carpet making, its art falls nothing short of the above. This history forms the backdrop to the contemporary arts and culture scene in Tehran, a bustling, metropolitan hub for the arts in the region.
"That really hurt me, it hurt me the way people were looking at me," she says. "I had the same experience in Italy, I found it hard to work with men because they sometimes have other intentions. I never work with men actually, I find female curators and gallerists to be more serious and more focused on their work."
The Academy Awards, more commonly referred to as the Oscars, are highly prestigious awards granted for artistic and technical excellence in the film industry. Throughout the years, Middle Eastern filmmakers and actors have enjoyed many a success at the awards, from twice winning Best Foreign Language film winner Asghar Farhadi to Omar Sharif 's nomination for Best Supporting Actor back in 1963.
Meanwhile, the opening of the College of Fine Arts and the Apadana gallery in Tehran all worked together to develop the scene further and gave rise to artists such as Marcos Grigorian and Parviz Tanavoli.
Tarof can take many shapes and forms, but you can think of it as a sort of verbal duel of sorts, or a waltz of words. At best, it may result in fighting over the bill at a restaurant, and at worst, it might leave you seriously offending people as you go about your travels.
Kawon, Madaba's First Bookshop With the city's oldest signs of settlement dating back to the Bronze Age, Madaba is incredibly rich in history, and is best known for its long tradition of Mosaic making. Nestled at the end of a series of quaint streets in the town lies Kawon, the city's first and only bookshop.
The Middle East is usually known for its food, culture, and its involvement in recent troubled history, but most do not know about the region's innovative past. Coffee, clocks, and soap are just some of the inventions you may not know originated in the Middle East.
Family and friends Family is really at the very heart of Iranian life and culture, making one of the hardest things about leaving the country the people you end up leaving behind. Seasonal fruits and vegetables Unlike in some parts in the world, the selection of fruits of vegetables on offer in the Iranian markets are generally synchronised with the seasons.
Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, also known as TMoCA, is one of the largest galleries in Iran and houses a large collection of both Iranian and international works. Included in the museum's collection are works by Picasso, Matisse, Van Gogh, Dalí, Bacon, Pollock, Monet, Munch, Moore and Warhol, among many others.
Human Rights The Cyrus Cylinder has been historically recognised as the the world's first universal charter of human rights. Created in 534 BCE, the Cyrus Cylinder is constructed out of clay and inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform script, and predates the Magna Carta by one millennium.
Wedding ceremonies, wherever in the world they may be, are windows into cultural traditions and customs. In Jordanian culture, as well as being a great excuse for a party, a wedding symbolizes and celebrates the coming together of two families. It is also an important remembrance of ancestry and heritage.
Iranians are Arab Contrary to what many believe, the people of the Middle East do not all share the same ethnicity. Iran has an incredibly diverse ethnic makeup of people within its borders, with the largest ethnic group being Persians.
This month marks 40 years since the Iranian revolution, an anniversary which has prompted many to turn their attention to Iran and discuss historical events and current realities. Spanning over two floors of London gallery The Mosaic Rooms, When Legacies Become Debts is a group exhibition of contemporary Iranian artists revisiting their relationships to a recent, tumultuous past.
The art has faced a huge decline from the 1930s onwards, and nowadays it is rare to see the striking face of a tattooed Bedouin woman in Jordan and the Middle East.
Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts should be first on your list to visit if you're looking for a comprehensive insight into the history of contemporary and Islamic art from the Middle East.
Art Gallery, Museum, Park The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts should be the first on your list to visit if you're looking for a comprehensive insight into the history of contemporary and Islamic art from the Middle East. The gallery is housed in two buildings which are separated by Muntaza park in Jabal Al Weibdeh.
Meet Gaith Bahdoosheh, the pioneer behind Jordan's traveling bookshop "Books of the Road," and founder of Madaba's first ever bookshop.
The Prophet Ezekiel The prophet Ezekiel is a prophet recognised across all three Abrahamic religions of Islam, Christianity and Judaism, as well as in the Bahai faith. In the Old Testament, Ezekiel is the central protagonist in 'the book of Ezekiel', and prophecies about what he considers to be the approaching of the end times.
Wedding ceremonies, wherever in the world they may be, are windows into cultural traditions and customs. In Jordanian culture, as well as being a great excuse for a party, a wedding symbolizes and celebrates the coming together of two families. It is also an important remembrance of ancestry and heritage.
Following its premiere at Cannes film festival back in May 2018, Nadine Labaki 's has fared exceedingly well in the international circuits, picking up a number of prizes and a nomination at the Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film.
There are many theories as to why artists such as Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse kept animals as some of their closest companions. Not only do animals often exhibit characteristics such as independence, rebellion and an air of sass- all personality traits which can also be attributed to many artists themselves- but animals can also be a source of much serenity and comfort in an otherwise hectic and harsh world.
By day, Londoner Fatma Al-Baiti is employed as a civil servant in Westminster. Outside of working hours, she takes on a very different role. A food blogger and entrepreneur, Al-Baiti recently founded Meet Me at Fatma's, a pop-up borne out of a love for food and her desire to introduce others to Yemeni culture.
News
An Iranian cleric, Shahab Moradi, said Iran would struggle to hit back against the US by striking a parallel figure to Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani because the US has only "fictional" heroes. "Think about it. Are we supposed to take out Spiderman and SpongeBob?" he said in a live interview on Iran's IRIB Ofogh TV channel.
Chaotic protests broke out in Beirut, Lebanon, on Thursday just hours after the government tried to impose taxes on messaging services such as WhatsApp, Skype, and Viber. The information minister announced on Thursday that the government planned to charge people in the country 20¢ per day for using internet calling services, according to local news agency An-Nahar.
A Ukraine International Airlines flight carrying 176 people crashed minutes after it took off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini Airport early on Wednesday. There were no survivors. The victims included 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, and 11 Ukrainians, as well as nationals from Sweden, Afghanistan, Germany, and the UK, according to Ukraine's foreign minister.
"Happy Brexit Day" posters warned residents in a social housing block in Norwich that speaking languages other than English would no longer be tolerated. "We do not tolerate people speaking other languages than English in the flats ...
Hummus company Sabra is being called out online for using a tagline used in its Super Bowl advert that literally translates to "How do you suck?" in Arabic. The tagline for the company's commercial - its first-ever during the Super Bowl - reads: "America, you've seen how we 'mmus.
Much news coverage of Iran focuses on geopolitics and its antagonistic relationship with the US. But people there have ordinary lives too. Here's what a recent trip to Tehran, its capital, showed me about life in Iran. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State terrorist group, died during a US military operation in northwestern Syria over the weekend. The Washington Post referred to him in a headline for his obituary as "an austere religious leader," sparking criticism that the newspaper made light of the extreme brutality for which he was known.
Xi Jinping is the current president of the People's Republic of China and has been in power since 2013. During the early years of his leadership, Xi became known for launching a nationwide anti-corruption campaign in the Chinese Communist Party, and became the first leader since Mao Zedong to have his name written into the Chinese constitution while alive.
Sanna Marin is set to become the next prime minister of Finland on Tuesday, which will make the 34-year-old the youngest prime minister the country has ever had, and the third woman to lead the country. Once she is takes office this week, Marin will become the youngest serving prime minister in the world.
Conservative campaigner Jade Smith scheduled a series of tweets citing "bullying and harassment" in the party prior her apparent suicide Sunday. Smith's tweets alleged sexual harassment at the Conservative Party conference from "creepy old men". "There is a reason why we don't feel safe at conference," she wrote.
A deer in Long Island, New York smashed through the front window of a beauty salon, caused chaos and injured one woman, before leaving with a hair straightener caught on its antler. Video footage of the incident, which happened at around 12.20 p.m. local time on Saturday, was caught on the salon's CCTV camera.
A video appears to show an abandoned US army base in the city of Manbij, Syria where items such as half-eaten food, beds, and a copy of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" have been left behind.
Canada legalized cannabis in October 2018, becoming the first G7 country to do so. Figures show that a large number of Canadians still buy their weed from the black market one year after legalization.
International sanctions imposed on Iran over the last two decades have made access to technology difficult for Iranians. Many Iranians aren't able to access apps and platforms most Westerners take for granted, like Netflix and Uber. That has led Iranian developers to build apps that mimic their Western counterparts.
Boris Johnson held his Conservative seat in the constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip, overcoming some unusual candidates. Lord Buckethead, Count Binface, and a man dressed as Elmo from Sesame Street were all on the ballot paper. Johnson won a total of 25,351 votes, coming in ahead of 25-year-old Labour candidate Ali Milani who received 18,141 votes.
President Donald Trump retweeted video footage showing protesters storming the Iranian consulate on Sunday night in the Iraqi city of Karbala. The assault on the consulate came on 40th anniversary of the Iranian hostage crisis, when Iranian students stormed the US embassy in Tehran and held 52 American citizens hostage for a total of 444 days.
A teacher in northern California was suspended for wearing blackface to class in an attempt to come as the rapper Common for Halloween. A student at Milpita High School recorded the teacher and posted it on her twitter page on Friday. He was named by local media as David Carter, who taught economics.
Passengers on a Lufthansa flight last Monday flew for eight hours and landed 85 miles from where the plane took off. Flight LH404 departed from Frankfurt, Germany, and was destined for JFK Airport in New York but was forced to do a U-turn as it reached the Atlantic because of a fault in the plane's hydraulics system.
A Muslim woman was awarded a $120,000 payout over her claim that in 2013 she was forced to remove her hijab in front of male officers in violation of her faith. 57-year-old Aida Shyef al-Kaldi says she was mistreated by officers at a jail in Ramsey County, Minnesota, who gave her a bedsheet as a replacement headscarf.
Billie Eilish expressed her support for climate activist Greta Thunberg, saying she is "paving the way" for the future, in an interview with NME. "Hopefully the adults and the old people start listening to us [about climate change] so that we don't all die.
BBC researchers found dozens of YouTube videos pushing fake cancer cures were being monetized with ads. The fake cures included juice, turmeric, baking soda, and donkey's milk. Some of the ads were for big-brand companies such as Samsung and Heinz. Once alerted by the BBC, YouTube demonetized 70 of the videos.
Politicians in Canada condemned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday after the publication of a photograph showing him wearing brownface makeup in 2001. The photograph was published Wednesday by Time magazine. It shows Trudeau attending an "Arabian Nights" party in which he dressed as Aladdin.
Estonia has issued a public apology after a 70-year-old minister described the prime minister of Finland, Sanna Marin, as a "sales girl" in a radio interview. The comments were made by Mart Helme, Estonia's interior minister who leads the far-right party EKRE.
An archived newsletter of the school that hosted the 2001 "Arabian Nights" party where Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wore brownface shows a second image of Trudeau. The newsletter includes 11 photos, showing about 40 partygoers. Trudeau is the only one in brownface.
The British rapper Slowthai held up a plastic head resembling that of Prime Minister Boris Johnson and shouted "F--- Boris" during his performance at the Mercury Prize awards in London on Thursday night. His energetic performance was broadcast by the BBC as part of the prestigious music awards ceremony, which crowns the best British or Irish album of the past year.
Video footage shows two grizzly bears in a violent fight as a wolf in the background looks on. The fight was on a highway in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. Cari McGillivray took the video and shared it on her Facebook page on Friday. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday cut short his visit to the UK for the NATO summit after a series of humiliating incidents. The US president made a hurried exit after a group of world leaders appeared to mock him, French President Emmanuel Macron admonished him, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson avoided being photographed with him.
Jordanian soldier Ma'arik al-Tawayha was sentenced this week to life imprisonment with hard labour for shooting dead three American soldiers in the al-Jafer military base in Ma'an back in November 2016. Al-Tawayha, who belongs to the large and influential Howaitat tribe, was serving at the base when a convoy of vehicles carrying American 'Green Beret' trainers arrived at the entrance of the base.
According to a number of Arabic sources , the biggest statue of Saddam Hussein in the Middle East will be erected in Jordan next Spring (2018). The solid bronze statue will reach over 25m high and will show Saddam standing upright in his military uniform with a gun strapped tightly to his waist.
Having a nationality is something that most people take for granted, and it is difficult to imagine life without one. Being a citizen guarantees you maximum protection under the law, economic rights and entitles you to basic social and welfare benefits. Effectively, citizenship ensures that as an individual you can live securely within the constructs...
The Persian cheetah, also known as the Asiatic cheetah, once roamed over the grasslands of India, Pakistan, Russia and Iran. Despite concerted efforts to protect this magnificent wild cat, the last of the species are now located exclusively in Iran with numbers estimated as low as 50 as of September 2017.
As Easter celebrations unfolded this weekend, Jordan visibly heightened security in Churches across the country. Jordan is home to some of the oldest Christian communities in the world, many of whom are adherents of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, founded during the lifetime of Jesus.
From the heated deserts of Wadi Rum to the green wetlands of Azraq water reserve it is no secret that Jordan sports some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world.
The announcement concerning the ban on electricals was first released through a tweet posted by Royal Jordanian Airlines. (Twitter) Today we found out that 'secret US authorities' have enforced a ban on passengers across 8 Muslim majority countries, prohibiting them from carrying electricals any bigger than a mobile phone on flights to and from the US.
Travel
Wreck of Cedar Pride The Wreck of Cedar Pride is the most famous dive site in Aqaba and definitely a must-do. It consists of an 80 meter long cargo ship, sunk by the late King Hussein about 30 years ago. Resting on a bed of two coral gardens, it is full of enchanting marine and coral life.
Isfahan is a popular destination for tourists, making it one of the most well-adapted cities for solo travellers. Another bonus of heading here is, of course, its magnificent sights, which are among the most impressive in the country.
Tehran Grand Bazaar The bazaars in Iran are said to be the heart of Persian culture and commerce, and the Grand Bazaar in Tehran is no exception. You will find anything and everything you could possibly want here, from carpets and fabrics to everyday homewares and jewellery.
Day 1 -Tehran If you're flying into the country then chances are you will be landing in Tehran at the Imam Khomeini Airport. Take a bus or taxi from outside the airport to central Tehran to your hotel or accommodation of choice.
Also known as 'Abgoosht', this meat and bean broth dish dates back hundreds of years. It is essentially a stew made up of lamb and chickpeas with a tomato base. It is usually served in a stone dish called a dizi - hence the name.
The Jordan Museum Located in the area of Rasl Ayn in downtown Amman, the Jordan Museum presents the history and cultural heritage of Jordan in an accurate yet intriguing way throughout its galleries. 1.5 million years of Jordanian history and archaeology is housed here, starting from the Palaeolithic age to the modern day.
Experience the Wadi Rum desert A weekend in the desert with your loved one is the perfect way to detach from the pressures of everyday life. Spend some quality time star-gazing under the night sky, appreciating the sound of uninterrupted silence.
From the curious natural wonders of Lake Maharloo to the ancient Zoroastrian towers of silence, there are many crazy places to visit in Iran. If you're the adventurous type then this spectacularly diverse and culturally rich country should be next on your list of places to head.
For the more active traveller, there are many outdoor activities, such as hiking and trekking, outside of the capital, but if you haven't got the time for a day trip or the weather is not being your friend, then Climbat is the perfect destination.Located on the fringes of the city in Na'ur, Climbat has facilities for indoor rock climbing and bouldering, but make sure that you call them in advance to book your place to avoid disappointment.
Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation and Library The Shoman Library located close to 1st Circle, houses an extensive collection of book titles from across all genres and subject matters. Visitors must have a library card in order to check any of the books out, however you are fine to enter the library freely as a guest and read to your hearts content until closing time.
The desert castles of Jordan are a must-visit for those with an interest in the history and archeology of the region. As a well-preserved testimony to the Umayyad period, Qasr Amra dates all the way back to the 8th Century. For the more active traveler, Jordan is home to a host of hiking trails located along its most stunning landscapes.
Restaurant, Middle Eastern, Lebanese, $$$ Naranj is known in Amman to be the most authentic restaurant specialising in Syrian cuisine. There are many speciality dishes available on the menu, including sour cherry kebabs and 'Sayadiyeh', a famous fish and rice dish.
Upon landing in Tehran's Imam Khomeini Airport, take a taxi from the airport into the city. The journey will take you approximately an hour depending on the traffic. Tehran is a vibrant and lively city, and there is a lot of culture to be soaked up.
In 2002, the then US President George W. Bush, accused Iran of being along 'The Axis of Evil'. Following this, images most synonymous with Iran were either of violence and protest, or of a backward and barren land next door to the war-torn country of Afghanistan.
Jordan is incredibly diverse in landscape, boasting green rolling hills in the north and the hot wadi rum desert in the south, as well as everything else in between. A great way to explore this landscape and get some exercise at the same time is to hike around the country.
There are two main choices you have when it comes to taxis in Amman, your first and most obvious choice being the yellow taxi, which you can find driving around the city and hail down whenever the need arises.
Snorkel in the clearest of waters in the Red Sea The seaport town of Aqaba sits at the southernmost point of Jordan and is home to one of the best snorkelling and diving coastlines in the world, with many centres and professional instructors catering to these sports.
Wild Jordan Center As part of the socioeconomic development program for communities in the area, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature in Jordan hosts various workshops, which take place in and around different nature reserves in the country, benefitting the rural areas.
The Misba Centre is one of the more unique language institutions in Amman. Focusing on spoken Arabic in the Jordanian dialect, they teach using the 'Growing Participatory Approach' (GPA), whereby the student and teacher interact with various objects and verbs. This stimulates instant communication and enables students to develop familiarity with a lot of vocabulary.
With a population of only 10 million, some people might think that Jordan has little to offer as a travel destination. However, most travellers who choose to spend time in the country are surprised at the diversity and staggering beauty of it and will leave feeling touched by the generosity and kindness of its people.
According to the report, Amman is more expensive than Beijing, Luxembourg, Berlin, Stockholm, Rome, San Francisco, Madrid, Miami, and many other cities. Whether you are living and working in Amman or just travelling for a short time, here are our tips for how to live on a budget whilst still making the most of what the city has to offer.