Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

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  • Beirut explosion: Lebanese open their homes to strangers displaced by blast

    Within hours of a massive explosion that left 300,000 people homeless, residents in and around Beirut opened their doors to house those impacted by the destruction. Thawramap, which normally identifies locations of peaceful protests, posted a map online showing where housing was available in private homes, hotels, and shelters. Six hours after the explosion 42 locations were available on the map to accommodate thousands, with more offers on social media using the hashtag #ourhomesareopen. Despite intense political polarization that often divides people in Lebanon, residents are displaying great solidarity.

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  • Peace Studies Program Attracts Young Iraqis Eager for Social Change

    In Iraq, where unemployment is high for recent grads, students gravitate towards science and math degrees. But, a new program in peace-and-conflict resolution is the first and only of its kind in the country. It teaches students about peace-building. Close to 250 people have enrolled. "For many undergraduates in the new program at Duhok, that means working side by side to create a more inclusive society. “It’s important for people in our society to know how to deal with conflict.”

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  • Students in the U.S. and Iraq Discover Common Ground

    A program that was inspired by rising racial tensions is helping students from Pennsylvania State University and the University of Mosul in Iraq erase misconceptions about each other’s cultures. Participants of the “World in Conversation Program,” gather for virtual conversations and talk about their issues, concerns, and daily life. The program is helping them dismantle stereotypes they might have of Arabs and Americans. “I want to show them who we really are, beyond the stereotypes in the media.”

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  • Spread the word: the Iraqis translating the internet into Arabic

    Disseminating knowledge means making websites, articles, and books available in more languages beyond English. A partnership between students at the University of Mosul and the nonprofit, Ideas Beyond Borders (IBB), is working to make more content available to Arabic speakers. IBB partners with several universities across Iraq and since launching in 2017 has expanded from translating Wikipedia articles to books and now includes languages such as Farsi and Kurdish.

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  • Can tourists coexist with nature on Lebanon's Rabbit Island?

    In a stark juxtaposition to Lebanon’s polluted beaches, just 150 off the coast lies Palm Island – more commonly known as Rabbit Island – seeking to remain pristine and pollution-free. Promapir, an EU-funded collaboration between Lebanon’s Environment Protection Committee and the Office d’Exploitation du Port de Tripoli, is charging visitors to help pay for rangers, trash disposal and maintenance of the plants and beaches. While a valiant effort, the real challenge will be changing the habits of those who visit to prevent them from leaving litter in the first place.

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  • Forget Game of Thrones: The master of the cliffhanger is back

    Building community around storytelling preserves cultural heritage. Across Lebanon, individuals and institutions like the Lebanese Ministry of Culture and the Theatre Monnot in Beirut are working to preserve oral culture as a medium for storytelling. Initiatives, including the long-running International Storytelling Festival and Beirut’s Hakaya, bring together storytellers, known as hakawati and hakawatiye.

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  • The Hijabi Monologues: The young Muslims in Britain using the arts to reclaim their culture

    Story-telling, poetry, and other performance art helps to bridge cultural divides and allows individuals to present more nuanced representations of their communities. Thanks to a grant from the Said Foundation, the Hijabi Monologues are working both to combat stereotypes and to increase access to the arts for Muslims. The Foundation partners with festivals and provides opportunities for Muslim artists and storytellers to reach new audiences and build bridges with other communities.

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  • How high-tech agriculture is transforming the fortunes of Nigerian rice farmers

    New planting and harvesting techniques and improved seeds are transforming farmers' fortunes and boosting harvests in Nigeria, where rice is a staple food but local supply fails to keep up with high demand. Farmers are also relying on agriculture apps like RiceAdvice and WeedManager, which quickly determine fertilizer quantities and identify harmful weeds.

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  • Between haram and halal: British Muslims explore the grey area

    Popping up in various places around England is a performance space for young British Muslims to create and share their uniquely intersectional experiences with identity. The organization, operated as a non-profit collective, is called Makrooh and serves to bring together Muslim artists for open-mic performances, workshops, and other gatherings. While the location changes, underscoring each space is a feeling of safety and welcoming for all.

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