Zeynep Fadillioglu, architect, at the Sakirin MosqueWomen and Islam is always a hot topic, whether in the Arab/Muslim world or in the West, where we tend to believe that women enjoy far more freedoms, and naturally are not obliged to disguise themselves in burkas nor hijabs. The debate remains lively even in Turkey—a largely Muslim country with a secular constitution. Now the world's first mosque designed by a woman has opened in Istanbul.

The new Sakirin Mosque's design relies on Turkey's Islamic architectural mainstays and was overseen by Zeynep Fadillioglu, who together with her team of interior designers and architects have created a beautiful if relatively orthodox structure. It is Fadillioglu's first mosque.

By Catherine Batruni

By Catherine Batruni

"For those who have left it," Nobel Prize-winning author Elias Canetti once wrote, "the city of childhood and adolescence becomes a mythical place." I whole-heartedly agree with his statement, as melancholy as it may seem, for Beirut, my Beirut, sometimes feels shrouded in myth; and Lebanon, my Lebanon, has become the subject of my desire, though I've returned on many occasions.

Nadine LabakiNadine Labaki is best known for her film Caramel which she co-wrote, directed, and starred in.

Book Party and Concert May 2Reza Aslan presented his new book How to Win a Cosmic War: God, Globalization, and the End of the War on Terror May 2, at Café-Club Fais Do-Do, at 5257 W. Adams Blvd., LA 90016. Also appearing were Turkish indie rocker Kutsal and Arab hip hop artist Omar Offendum.

check out a few pix from the event:

By Deeba Haidercorner in Cairo

When I told my friends and extended family last fall that I was going to Egypt for three weeks with my dad, they all said, "Wow! What a wonderful opportunity! Are you sure it's safe?" After I came back from my trip to Egypt, the same people said to me, "Welcome Back! I want to hear all about your trip. Did you feel safe?"

Well, perhaps, I am a little naive, but it never crossed my mind that I would not be safe. I had plenty of other friends, European, American, Arab who frequented Egypt often, some lived and worked there and they loved it. I was eager to see what they described.

Story and photographs by Catherine Batruni

As spring breaks and summer vacations are slowly but surely creeping upon us, many of you are searching for new locations to frequent. A vacation spot that doesn’t usually come to mind—for most Americans anyway—is the Middle East. Surprisingly, the New York Times ranked Beirut in the top ten out of forty-four destinations to visit this year in their January 11th, 2009 travel issue. Beirut was the only Levantine destination to receive this acknowledgement, unless you consider Qatari resorts competition with eastern Mediterranean hot spots.

Arava Institute for Environmental Studies: located in Israel's southern desert near EilatThe Arava Institute for Environmental Studies is an environmental teaching and research program in the Middle East, preparing future Arab and Jewish leaders to cooperatively solve the region's environmental challenges. Located in the heart of Israel's Arava desert, near the southern town of Eilat, the Arava Institute is a unique oasis of environmental education, research, and international cooperation.

Levantine Cultural Center supported a Los Angeles fundraiser for the Arava Institute in November 2007 called “Comedy Without Borders,” featuring the cast of Comedy Central's The Sarah Silverman Program at USC. The evening featured uncensored standup comedy of five cast members and special guest comedians.

Rami KashouRami Kashou is the flavor of the moment in fashion. The son of the former Miss Jordan, Rami Kashou grew up in style. Kashou was born in Jerusalem on May 11, 1976 and raised in Ramallah where he was often commissioned by the local town socialites to design their ensembles.

"My Lebanese Sandwich," by Maher Kassar and Ziad Halwani courtesy of Transit Beirut: New Writing + Images, edited by Malu Halasa and Roseanne Khalaf, (Saqi Books, 2004).

[Note from the Editor] This is one of the most memorable pieces of culinary reporting we’ve come across by non-food writers, guaranteed to make you hungry. Beirut natives abroad will long for a piece of home, while others will get a glimpse of the city’s life not often seen by outsiders. It’s a prime example of the creative nonfiction, short stories and photography characteristic of this unusual book from Saqi in London. -JE