Turkey’s promotion of cultural heritage, including through its tourism and entertainment sectors, is one reason for Erdogan’s popularity. However, the perception of the Ottoman legacy is gradually shifting from one of praise to one of condemnation toward Turkish policies. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan remains MENA’s most popular leader, according to new survey data released by the Arab Barometer this…
China ‘Delighted to See’ It Tops U.S. in Popularity in Arab Countries Poll
China has exulted in a recent poll showing the nation’s favorability was roughly twice that of the United States across six Arab countries. “I’m delighted to see the survey, which, I believe, reflects the considerable public support for China-Arab friendship,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Thursday during the first press conference to be held following week-long Lunar New…
Les Tunisiens sont de moins en moins religieux, en particulier les plus jeunes
Selon la dernière étude d’Arab Baromètre le sentiment religieux recule dans tout le monde arabe. Réalisé auprès de 25 000 personnes dans dix pays du monde arabe, ce sondage montre que la part de la population se présentant comme non-religieuse dépasse même les 45% chez les 18-29 ans en Tunisie. Cela serait une conséquence de la Constitution de 2014. La…
Arab governments are doing too little to end honour killings
In some countries, more people approve of honour killings than of homosexuality Kuwait’s national assembly is so rowdy that debates sometimes descend into fisticuffs. But on one issue, at least, the mps have little to say. Sheikha al-Ajmi, a parliamentary employee, was killed by her brother in December. Some say he didn’t like her working as a security guard; others…
The Arab Spring 10 Years On
When reflecting on the past 10 years, it’s clear to see that the Arab Spring is far from over. The popular uprisings in Sudan, Algeria, Iraq and Lebanon over the last couple of years, coupled with ongoing political and socio-economic tensions across the region, show that no political equilibrium has been found. However, waiting for another 2011 moment, as if nothing has…
The Pandemic in the MENA Region, a Hardship But Also an Opportunity for Women
Covid-19 changed the life of almost everyone on the planet in a matter of months, and affected vulnerable people the most through economic hardship. For women, it has been doubled with a rise of domestic violence. And for women living in countries where gender inequalities are very present, like in the MENA region, the situation has significantly worsened, despite new…
Inside Israel’s social media campaign to woo the Middle East
(Reuters) – Working in close quarters, surrounded by maps of the Middle East, a small team based in Israel’s foreign ministry are focusing their sights on the Arab world. Their mission: using social media to convince Arabs to embrace the Jewish state. The team is spearheading an Arabic-language campaign via platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as part of…
Why the Middle East cannot ignore the ‘shadow pandemic’ of violence against women
This year, campaigners who took part in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), which started on 25 November, took on an immense challenge. Six women are murdered every hour across the world because of GBV, often carried out by partners and family members, in what international rights organisations are now calling the ‘shadow pandemic’. With lockdown measures forcing people…