Photo by Frank Douwes

Morocco

Postal Finance in Morocco & the Arab World: Change Worth Saving For

Poste Maroc, the Moroccan postal service that doubles as a bank (courtesy of Mary Montgomery) Expanding and positioning postal networks as financial service providers can empower citizens in the Arab world to jumpstart their own economies. By offering savings accounts and other financial services, post offices can not only help individuals achieve their financial... 

By the Hands of the Clock: Kenitra, Morocco

Sunset in Kenitra, Morocco. (Photo: Ashley Williams) 4am and suddenly the call to prayer echoes through the cold cinder blocks of my apartment. The mosque is just across the street. I tug the pillow over my head and sigh–every morning is the same. I wait for silence. 7am. I stir again from sleep at the sound of the Goat Men, as I call them. In my neighborhood... 

The Cultural & Religious Debates on HIV/AIDS in the Muslim World

(Photo credit: Andy McCarthy UK on Flickr, under Creative Commons) On December 8, 2012, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) hosted a Red Gala Dinner at the Fairmont Hotel in Cairo, Egypt to raise awareness about the virus and how it affects the lives of over three hundred thousand people across the Arab world. The by-invitation-only event featured... 

Shining A Light on the Misunderstood Men of the Middle East

Bassam, Iraqi (Photo credit: Tamara Abdul Hadi) For any marginalised group, self-preservation will inevitably involve a heavy dose of artistic expression to counter degrading portrayals. Prey to myriad stereotypes, long-standing prejudice, and steady streams of discrimination, most Arab, Persian, Turkish, Afghan, and North African men and women have had no choice... 

On Stephen Zunes’ Statements about Morocco, Israel, & the Western Sahara

POLISARIO front fighters (Photo credit: AFP) In a recent interview for Al Jazeera English with Mark LeVine, Professor Stephen Zunes provides a scathing critique of Morocco as an occupying force in the Western Sahara. Zunes, a well-respected scholar of international relations, goes so far as to compare Morocco’s 1975 annexation of the Western Sahara to Israel’s... 

Aladdin Dreaming: A Story of Facial Hair & Disney Movies

“Aladdin and his pal Genie, the envy of every Arab-American boy who grew up in the 90s” Part I: Jiminy Cricket, It’s an Arab! I’ve been experimenting with new facial hair patterns lately. It... 

The Algerian Hostage Crisis & Militant Islamism in the Sahara

Touareg fighters have taken towns including Timbuktu in Mali’s north. (Photo credit: Luc Gnago/Reuters) The hostage crisis in Algeria is a violent reminder of the rapidly deteriorating security situation... 

Cyber-Islam: A Review of Gary Bunt’s “iMuslims”

Source: Outlookindia.com Much attention has been given to the use of social media technologies and their ability to spark massive social change.  Some commentators have remarked that these connection technologies,... 

Arab Monarchs & the Islamist Surge

(Photo credit: Britannica.com) The “Arab Spring,” for want of a better term, continues to dominate the discourse surrounding current events transpiring throughout the Arab and Muslim world. Frequently used... 

#MuftahChat: Debating & Defying Stereotypes about the Middle East

Join the Muftah team at the hashtag #MuftahChat on the first and third Wednesday of every month at 12:30 pm Eastern Standard Time for a Twitter discussion of all things Middle East. Themes will include policy,... 
Terms of Use   |    Reprint Permissions   |    Privacy Policy   |    Submissions
Copyright © 2010-2013 Muftah. All rights reserved.