Common Ground News Service

Constitution: Major Boon for Women and Berbers

Constitution: Major Boon for Women and Berbers

FATIMA SADIQI, CGNEWS: The new Moroccan constitution provides great hope for two oft overlooked communities in Morocco – women and Berbers.

 The View From Fez

‘Liquid Gold’ Threatened by Hollywood Stars’

‘Liquid Gold’ Threatened by Hollywood Stars’

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The many properties and benefits of Morocco’s Argan Oil have been known for a very long time but they’ve suddenly come to the attention of film stars and other celebrities. Good news?

 David Roberts

Emirati Women: As Portrayed in Western Media

Emirati Women: As Portrayed in Western Media

DAVID ROBERTS: It’s always interesting to see how Western media choose to represent women from the Middle East. A slideshow published on U.S website ‘Salon’ featuring Emirati women is instructive.

 Crossroads Arabia

Consultancy Opportunity for Saudi Mutawa

Consultancy Opportunity for Saudi Mutawa

CROSSROADS ARABIA: If the French and Belgian police need some help enforcing their niqab ban they should turn to the masters in female oppression.

 Common Ground News Service

Illiterate Women Teach Me an Invaluable Lesson

Illiterate Women Teach Me an Invaluable Lesson

LAMA TABET: I had to teach groups of poor Lebanese women how to manage household budgets. Everything was going fine until one group presented me with a major problem.

 American Bedu

Relationships: The Art of Flirting in Saudi

Relationships: The Art of Flirting in Saudi

AMERICAN BEDU: I have often watched how young women subtly signal their interest in a member of the opposite sex who may be visiting their home.

 Rob L. Wagner

Kick It: Women’s Football On the Rise in Kingdom

Kick It: Women’s Football On the Rise in Kingdom

ROB L. WAGNER: ‘Unseemly’, ‘undignified’ and ‘a threat to players’ virginity’ in the eyes of religious conservatives but women’s football is making major strides in Saudi Arabia.

 Common Ground News Service

Engaging Lebanese Men ‘Key’ to Women’s Advance

Engaging Lebanese Men ‘Key’ to Women’s Advance

GHIDA ANANI & LINA ABI RAFEH, CGNEWS: A Lebanese organisation is working hard to create a world where women and men live as equal partners.

 Common Ground News Service

Lebanese Politics: More Women Needed

Lebanese Politics: More Women Needed

CGNEWS: Not a single woman was appointed to the recently unveiled Lebanese cabinet. 30 men now govern Lebanon. It’s, unfortunately, indicative of larger problems in society.

 Common Ground News Service

The Ongoing Battle Against ‘Honour Killings’

The Ongoing Battle Against ‘Honour Killings’

RASHA DEWEDAR, CGNEWS: It’s an issue that faces women throughout the Arab world but progress, it appears, is being made in some countries to protect women.

 Common Ground News Service

Women in Saudi: The Drive for Rights Continues

Women in Saudi: The Drive for Rights Continues

NATANA J.DeLONG-BAS, CGNEWS: The campaign to improve women’s rights in the Kingdom has focused on the issue of driving but progress is being quietly made in other areas of Saudi life.

 American Bedu

Unrealistic Expectations in Saudi Marriages

Unrealistic Expectations in Saudi Marriages

AMERICAN BEDU: A two day discussion between Saudi men and women on the expectation and subsequent reality of marriage in the Kingdom unearthed some familiar themes.

 Editor, MEP

Saudi Arabia: Ministry Drivers Are Occasions of Sin

Saudi Arabia: Ministry Drivers Are Occasions of Sin

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Girls schools are inspected by female inspectors. Female inspectors need to get to the schools they inspect.

 Common Ground News Service

Western Views of Middle East & The ‘Gay Girl’

Western Views of Middle East & The ‘Gay Girl’

NADA AKL, CGNEWS: The ‘Gay Girl in Damascus’ hoax reveals much about Western perceptions of the Middle East.

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

Salwa al Mutairi: A Gift to Muslim-Haters

Salwa al Mutairi: A Gift to Muslim-Haters

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: She’s certainly made an impression but unfortunately it’s a damaging one for Muslims

 Susie of Arabia

So What Now for Saudi Arabia’s Female Drivers?

So What Now for Saudi Arabia’s Female Drivers?

SUSIE OF ARABIA: The ‘DWF’ (‘Driving While Female’) campaign has gained some serious momentum in the Kingdom. Let’s remind ourselves of the reasons why we need to get behind it.

 Common Ground News Service

Women Must Claim Their Place in ‘Arab Spring’

Women Must Claim Their Place in ‘Arab Spring’

NATANA J. DELONG-BAS, CGNEWS: They have confronted Western stereotypes and achieved much – but will they actively participate actively in emerging democracies?

 David Roberts

Kuwait Concubines: What Century Are We in Again?

Kuwait Concubines: What Century Are We in Again?

DAVID ROBERTS: ‘Concubines’ are the solution to protecting Kuwaiti men from “..adultery and corruption,” according to a female Kuwaiti political activist. Great idea, eh?

 American Bedu

At Last: A Saudi Ban That’s GOOD News for Women

At Last: A Saudi Ban That’s GOOD News for Women

AMERICAN BEDU: Men can no longer sell lingerie to women in the Kingdom. A big deal? Very much so due to the possible implications for women.

 David Roberts

To Wear or Not To Wear the Hijab: An Experiment

To Wear or Not To Wear the Hijab: An Experiment

DAVID ROBERTS: How does it feel when you forsake the hijab and go public for the first time in many years? One woman writes movingly about the experience.