The rhetoric underlying Egypt's burgeoning graffiti scene
If asked about the outcome of the Egyptian revolution, most Western academics and local democracy activists alike would probably locate their response somewhere within a narrative of failure and disillusionment. That isn’t to say their responses wouldn’t be entirely true. Rather, a brief survey of the political, economic, and social indicators underpinning the analysis of any country’s post-revolutionary progress would indicate a clear degradation in today’s Egypt. However, succumbing solely to this one-dimensional narrative, at the expense of a plethora of nuances, is all too easy. Alternatively, considering one of the often-ignored byproducts of the Egyptian revolution can contribute towards the formation of a different, and starkly more optimistic, legacy of this popular uprising.
Source: US-Middle East Youth Network
Doozakhrafat: a unique satirical voice in Persian literature
Not much study has been conducted on the relationship between the realm of the “sacred” and its satirical critique, as the topic is often deemed sensitive and controversial. Are jokes that target religious beliefs necessarily offensive? Where should one draw the line between insulting ridicule and critical satire? Is it possible to apply humor in the critique of people’s deepest and dearest beliefs without disturbing their feelings? Such questions have often been neglected in Iran, due in part to the increasing social and political sensitivity.
Source: Your Middle East
Rapid growth in Qatar is happening on the back of oppressed migrant laborers
Doha—which has doubled its population in the past decade—is at once bustling and desolate. Ahead of the 2022 World Cup, and in line with its goal to become a premiere destination for international business and high-end tourism by 2030, the Qatari capital is perpetually under construction. Cranes dot the skyline, as stadiums, buildings, and entire neighborhoods are being built.
Only a few years ago, areas such as The Pearl, a large man-made island, and the new city of Lusail were not even on Doha’s map. These new commercial and residential areas are reminiscent of southern California, with yachts, luxury hotels, condos, and Riviera-style villas studding the coast.
Source: Muftah
