In Western democracies, such as Great Britain and the United States, human rights are widely esteemed, applauded, and upheld as the cornerstones of a civilised, modern society. As US President Barack Obama said in a recent trip this year to Vietnam, “Nations are more successful when universal rights are upheld.” Yet, such reverence for humanContinue reading “Should Human Rights be Sacrificed for Trade Relations?”
Category Archives: The Middle East
Lighting a Powder Keg? The Sunni-Shia Divide in Northern Nigeria
The most important festival in Shia Islam, Ashura, occurred this year on October 11th. Around the world, Shi’ites marched to commemorate the martyrdom of Husayn, the Prophet’s grandson, who was killed at the hands of a Sunni army. Every year this festival highlights the divide between Shia and Sunni Islam, and it has increasingly resultedContinue reading “Lighting a Powder Keg? The Sunni-Shia Divide in Northern Nigeria”
Christianity and the Middle East: A History of Cohabitation, a Present of Persecution, a Future of U
For as long as humans have been able to communicate, there has been belief. Whether it is stone age burials with objects to help someone in the next life or the recent beliefs of modern day Humanism, our capacity to discuss ideas and beliefs has been ever-present. The United Nations (UN) recognizes the vast amountContinue reading “Christianity and the Middle East: A History of Cohabitation, a Present of Persecution, a Future of U”
Christianity and the Middle East: A History of Cohabitation, a Present of Persecution, a Future of Uncertainty
For as long as humans have been able to communicate, there has been belief. Whether it is stone age burials with objects to help someone in the next life or the recent beliefs of modern day Humanism, our capacity to discuss ideas and beliefs has been ever-present. The United Nations (UN) recognizes the vast amountContinue reading “Christianity and the Middle East: A History of Cohabitation, a Present of Persecution, a Future of Uncertainty”
Sacrificing Human Rights for Regional Stability
The Middle East is the most contentious region in the world in this day and age. Power vacuums, radicalism, and wars have evolved at a dangerous pace since the Arab Spring of 2011. Most people have heard of the events in Libya, Syria, Egypt, and Yemen. However, not many recognize that the Kingdom of Bahrain,Continue reading “Sacrificing Human Rights for Regional Stability”
The Sultan and his Censors
In June 2016, Rifat Cetin was convicted and sentenced for insulting the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. His crime? Posting pictures comparing Erdoğan to Gollum. He is not the only one to have noticed the similarity. Bilgin Ciftci, a doctor for Turkey’s public health service, also faced similar charges for posting memes which likenedContinue reading “The Sultan and his Censors”
Summer Series: Imagine a World Like This…
You wake up every morning in a refugee camp, converted into a city, commonly referred to as “the ghetto” by your Israeli counterparts; life is anything but easy. In fact, water might not even be accessible by 2020. It has been two years since your family fled from your previous home, seeking refuge in aContinue reading “Summer Series: Imagine a World Like This…”
Yemen: Children of a Forgotten War
The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Peter Mauer was quoted as saying “Yemen after five months looks like Syria after 5 years.” The Republic of Yemen is at risk of becoming a failed state as a result of the fighting currently ravaging the country. It is a crisis that, sadly, barelyContinue reading “Yemen: Children of a Forgotten War”
Saudi Arabia: Behind the Veil
Women and girls: do you play or compete in a sport? Do you wear the clothes that you have decided you want to wear? Do you sit in the same classes, offices, and restaurants as men and boys? Do you drive a car? Do you go to the doctor whenever you would like or needContinue reading “Saudi Arabia: Behind the Veil”
Qatar World Cup 2022: An Ugly Side of Opulence
The FIFA World Cup is the world’s most important sports event with millions of viewers worldwide, generating more than $5 billion from broadcast and advertising. However, this prominent international organisation has been criticised for its failure to consider human rights issues in certain host countries, including Brazil and Russia, and its hesitancy to exercise itsContinue reading “Qatar World Cup 2022: An Ugly Side of Opulence”
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