Passed down from generation to generation, embroidery has become a major symbol of Palestinian identity. Originally a cultural expression of rural women, its patterns, fabrics, motifs and colors indicated a women’s place of origin as well as her social and marital status. Following the “Nakba” of 1948 and the 1967 war, this village craft, in Arabic referred to as “Al Tatreez,” has become a national symbol among the Palestinian diaspora . At the same time, its survival has been threatened by societal changes following the wars. However, small initiatives have ...

This Mother's Day , you might be surprised to learn that some of your favorite on-screen mamas have never embarked on the motherhood journey in their personal life. While necessity is the mother of invention, these actresses have only ever needed their natural maternal instincts to help them perfect the "mother role." Whether it was their acting careers, Mother Nature or personal choice that left them living their dreams of motherhood on the screen, there is no question that these successful women make their mothers proud in every other way.

An Arabian Class 9 Mare, yarling colts section, is paraded during the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship in the Gulf emirate on March 18, 2017. The championship is a competition for purebred Arabian horses which parade during the three-day event to showcase their beauty and talents. KARIM SAHIB / AFP

For the last six years, the world has experienced the Syrian war through one haunting image after another : a drowned boy washed up on a Turkish beach, images of starving civilians living under siege, an injured child sitting stunned and silent in an ambulance in the aftermath of an airstrike. But as Syria entered its seventh year of war, AFP photographer Joseph Eid recently returned to Aleppo in search of an elderly man, Mohammed Anis, known for his classic car collection, and captured an image that perfectly sums up ...

Al-Ahli's Everton Ribeiro (C) fights for the ball against Al-Taawun's Ricardo Tavares Machado (L) and Abdullah Ibrahim Kano (R) during the AFC Champions League group stage football match between UAE's Al-Ahli and Saudi Arabia's Al-Taawun on March 13, 2017, at the Al-Rashid Stadium in Dubai. STRINGER / AFP

International Women's Day is a global day promoting the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world. More often than not, the discourse on Muslim women is dominated by negative notions of oppression and marginalization. However, this is not an accurate representation of the truth. In celebration of this year's International Women's Day we want to introduce you to nine Muslim women from around the world who hold, or have previously held, positions of great power - how many have you heard of before?

Athletes compete in the ITU World Triathlon at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on March 4, 2017. NEZAR BALOUT / AFP

Before your memory bank gets flooded by new Arabic Musalsalat (soaps) and Ramadan TV drama takes over your life, and Ramy Ayach’s face becomes just another face in the crowd; here’s a reminder of THAT theatrical OTT (over the top) visage that kept you warm through the winter blues, courtesy of Lebanese soap opera Amir El Leil . Presenting our very own Prince Charming, singer-turned-actor, Ramy Ayach who showed us more faces than the show’s cast and crew altogether during The Prince of the Night, which aired until February 2017 ...

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball to France's Benoit Paire during their ATP tennis match as part of the Dubai Duty Free Championships on February 27, 2017. MAHMOUD KHALED / AFP

Esteghlal Khuzestan's Aloys Nong celebrates his goal against UAE's al-Jazira during an Asian Champions League Group B football match at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on February 27, 2017. NEZAR BALOUT / AFP

To tip or not to tip, that is often the question expats ask when they come to the Middle East. And rightly too, because things here aren’t as clear-cut as they might be in some parts of the world where tipping trades are limited and known. Forget your usual suspects (which are equally hot tipping candidates here) taxis, hairdressers, waiters; there are many odd jobs and services provided in Arab countries that you’d normally do yourself back home, such as filling your car with gas, which you might wish to ...