Ramadan is upon us, and while it is largely about fasting , a big chunk of it is about feasting on delicious iftars and settling in front of our TV screens for some well-earned evening entertainment! While veteran actors and new faces compete to star in the most promising dramas of the season, some of our very own pop stars have dropped their mics in favor of an acting role in the two Ramadans that passed. In 2014, Lebanese superstar Myriam Fares made her acting debut as the lead character ...

Ever wondered where millions of Muslim women come from? Perhaps their hijabs could uncover their origins or give away some clues to their roots for a start. Head coverings are an integral part of many Muslim women’s identities across the Middle East. Over centuries, styles have differed depending on regions and cultural backgrounds. With many different names - hijab, burka, khimar and niqab - these head coverings are a common site in the veil-riddled, Muslim-majority Middle East and are traditionally worn as a symbol of modesty, given the debated interpretations ...

Beach weather has hit the Middle East. Spot the sleek-as-seals people sitting poolside or floating in the Dead Sea. Glistening skin, smooth as a baby’s bottom. What’s with this Arab allergy to body hair? It stems from Islamic tradition, where hair removal is not just desirable, it’s mandated by the Sunan al-Fitra, a personal hygienic code. The Fitra says keep clear from eyebrows (plucking is haram!), and men - maintain your beards!, but it requires baldness for all your private bits. Smooth groove! The Sahih al-Bukhari is explicit that all ...

Last week, tons of romantic “love locks” were removed from the Pont des Arts Bridge in Paris due to security concerns and replaced with eye-catching street art, including a vibrant mural by Tunisian artist eL Seed . It’s an interim exhibition while the bridge awaits new siding - not likely to be dismantled until after summer. Paris will always be the “City of Love,” even stripped of its famous love locks. Now it’s also emerging as the “City of Arabic Calligraffiti.” A recent fad had lovers tagging padlocks with their ...