Bernard Lewis and the non-existent clash of civilisations
Bernard Lewis was the orientalist scholar of choice for American neo-conservatives. His dangerous ‘clash of civilisations’ theory was not only wrong but caused enormous damage in the Middle East.
Read MoreWhen Palestinian women take up arms
The shock elicited by Palestinian women taking up arms is due to local sexism and orientalist stereotyping, not historical or social reality.
Read MoreTintin and orientalism for kids
Despite the racism contained in Tintin and other classic children’s tales, I believe that children should be exposed to them.
Read MoreOmar Sharif was an actor without borders
The late Omar Sharif was living, breathing, walking proof that there is nothing inherently irreconcilable between the Middle East and the West
Read MoreMaking halal sexy
Though halal sex may sound as logical as kosher bacon, it does make its own sense. Some Muslims are utilising the concept to break the taboo around sex.
Read MoreThe Viking Allah and the submerged history of Islam in Europe
A mysterious ring in a dead Viking woman’s tomb shows how Northern Europeans came into contact with Muslims and Islam before even becoming Christian.
Read MorePalestinian history ✝ – Christians are Arab too
Despite what some in the Knesset think, Christians in Israel are Arabs too and have been prominent in Palestinian politics, society and culture.
Read MoreThe forgotten clash within civilisations
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the clash of civilisations theory, but Samuel P Huntington was wrong.
Read MoreThe Arab myth of Western women
Unflattering as some western stereotypes are of Arab men, Western women also get a bad press in conservative Arab circles.
Read MoreThe Arab man’s burden
Some in the west are more likely to believe in elves in Middle Earth than in Arab men in the Middle East who are secular and do not oppress women.
Read More
