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Ethnic groups in the Middle East

A woman stands with smartphone in a shop with organizers

Jewish and Arab women unite to defy Bedouin voter suppression in Israeli election

Elections

On Tuesday, scores of women volunteers crisscrossed the dusty roads of Israel’s southern Negev desert to bring hundreds of Bedouin women from remote villages to their polling stations.

Egypt looking for answers after 24 are killed in violence

During Sunday worship at St. Antonius Coptic Church in Hayward, California, women sit on one side of the church, and men on the other.

In California, praying in a language rooted in ancient Egypt

Belief
Outside Paris' Le Comedy Club before the performace of comedians Younes and Bambi, aka Younes Depardieuis and Samuel Djian. Younes is Muslim. Samuel is Jewish.

A Muslim and a Jew walk into a comedy club in Paris — and hilarity ensues

Culture

Egypt struggling to find agreement on new constitution

As minorities flee, the Middle East loses its once rich religious diversity

The Middle East, once a region of great religious diversity, has seen a mass emigration of minorities in recent decades. It’s now one of the most religiously monolithic regions in the world. One Middle East scholar says the trend is likely to continue as tensions there continue to grow.

Iranian Jew touts deep ties between Jews and Iran

An Iranian Jewish author said if their two peoples just better appreciated the ties that they share in history, the ways Iran has helped and welcomed Jews for centuries, the two countries wouldn’t be so close to a violent confrontation. Thousand of Jews still call Iran home today.

Coptic Christians fearful for what an Islamist Egypt will mean for them

Lifestyle & Belief

As the democratic process in Egypt winds up, Coptic Christians find themselves facing a number of restrictions and proclamations that would leave them with fewer rights than they already have. They’re worried that the newly empowered Islamists will force them to pay special taxes or wear veils not called for by their religion.

Aramaic Revival in the Holy Land

The World in Words

Israel’s Maronites don’t like being labeled as Arabs. They have gone to court for recognition as ‘Aramaic.’ The problem is, most of them don’t speak much Aramaic. So now the language is being re-introduced.

Egypt’s Coptic Christians Remain Fearful

Conflict & Justice

While Egypt’s new president, Mohammed Mursi, is being credited with reforms, a certain segment of the population is not at all happy: Coptic Christians. They accuse the government of not doing enough to protect their minority community.