More Than Women's Rights at Stake in Gender Equality Fight
/Although there is still much work to be done, women throughout the MENA region have proven that they have the power and the agency to create tangible change.
Image from WikiPedia
Read MoreA Blog of the UCLA Center for Middle East Development
A blog of the UCLA Center for Middle East Development (CMED).
These articles represent the views of the authors only, and do not constitute the positions of UCLA, the International Institute, or the Center for Middle East Development. Articles are primarily written by UCLA undergraduate students.
Although there is still much work to be done, women throughout the MENA region have proven that they have the power and the agency to create tangible change.
Image from WikiPedia
Read MoreUS-Gulf relations are critical for stability, energy resources, investment, and other key US interests in the Middle East. The flurry of analysis in the Western press has been unanimous in emphasizing the need to reassure America’s Gulf allies. However, while these analyses are well reasoned, they overlook three important political conditions in the region.
Read MoreThe path to gender equality in Saudi Arabia is fraught with obstacles, but things are changing in the ultra-conservative Kingdom in recent years as new forms of activism are arising on the international and domestic level.
Read MoreSaudi Arabia has very publicly criticized US actions (or inaction) in the Middle East on Iran, Syria, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. What's raising the ire of the Saudi monarchy?
Read MoreSaudi Arabia is often criticized for its restrictions on women's rights, including a de facto ban on women from driving within the country. On October 26, 2013, in protest of this policy, many Saudi women are staging a day of action to change this red light to green. (Photo: Oct26driving.com)
Read Moreby Cody Saleh and Amanda Sass
Meaning to “set out for a place,” the hajj is one of the largest annual human gatherings on the planet. Each year, between two and three million Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia for this purpose. As one of the five pillars of Islam, the Hajj is a religious pilgrimage and an obligation that must be observed by every healthy and financially able Muslim at least once.
For some, it is a strenuous physical ordeal in sweltering heat, while others enjoy the ease of air travel and luxury hotels. Regardless of one's accommodations, the Hajj serves as an immensely spiritual journey. It is often deemed to be the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity, founded in a rich history and tradition. Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim readers!
(Photo: junaidrao/Flickr)
The Abraj al Bait, the largest clocktower in the world, is part of the KSA's efforts to modernize the holy city for pilgrims.
A familiar luxury hotel chain claims a prime location next to the Masjid al Haram (the mosque housing the Kabba, Islam's most sacred site) and the Mecca Clock Royal Tower.
(Photo: Miriam_ybs/Instagram)
Muslims all over the world pray in the direction of the Kabbah. (Photo: Bilal301/Instagram)
(Photo: mkhidar/Instagram)
"If you want to make it to any of the 5 daily prayers in the haram close to the kaaba. You have to make your way there at least an hour before. Otherwise you'll have to pray your jama3a outside. This is the view of those praying outside from a window inside the haram." (Comments + Photo: Nasserkat/Instagram)
(Photo: Nasserkat/Instagram)
"The tents at Arafah, Mecca. At 11 am I'm guessing it's 38 degrees. The heat is superb."
(Comments + Photo: Nasserkat/Instagram)
Roughly 2 million of the devout will make the pilgrimage in the next few days. It would've been more, if not for construction and fears over the Coranovirus going around. (Photo: Nasserkat/Instagtram)
"The courtyard of the prophet's mosque. The haziness is due to the massive fans pumping water breeze onto the worshipers to cool them down."
(Photo: Nasserkat/Instagram)
(Photo: lailabangwar/Instagram)