A Blog of the UCLA Center for Middle East Development
A blog of the UCLA Center for Middle East Development (CMED).
These articles represent the views of the authors only, and do not constitute the positions of UCLA, the International Institute, or the Center for Middle East Development. Articles are primarily written by UCLA undergraduate students.
International branch campuses of American universities hold tremendous benefits both for the university and the local students who have access to these distinguished institutions without leaving home. However, they are struggling to maintain interest. Why?
Photo credit: Steven Depolo
Read MoreOn May 22, 2014 former Congressman Robert Wexler, president of the S. Daniel Abraham Center, visited UCLA for his talk on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, "Is Peace Possible?" All too often, the American public is presented with mixed or biased narratives that result in an incomplete or misinformed understanding of Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In order to bolster popular support for the peace negotiations, there needs to be a common understanding of the actual factors that shape the conflict and tenable solutions.
Read MoreThe path to gender equality in Saudi Arabia is fraught with obstacles, but things are changing in the ultra-conservative Kingdom in recent years as new forms of activism are arising on the international and domestic level.
Read Moreby Cody Saleh and Amanda Sass
Meaning to “set out for a place,” the hajj is one of the largest annual human gatherings on the planet. Each year, between two and three million Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia for this purpose. As one of the five pillars of Islam, the Hajj is a religious pilgrimage and an obligation that must be observed by every healthy and financially able Muslim at least once.
For some, it is a strenuous physical ordeal in sweltering heat, while others enjoy the ease of air travel and luxury hotels. Regardless of one's accommodations, the Hajj serves as an immensely spiritual journey. It is often deemed to be the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity, founded in a rich history and tradition. Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim readers!
The Abraj al Bait, the largest clocktower in the world, is part of the KSA's efforts to modernize the holy city for pilgrims.
A familiar luxury hotel chain claims a prime location next to the Masjid al Haram (the mosque housing the Kabba, Islam's most sacred site) and the Mecca Clock Royal Tower.
(Photo: Miriam_ybs/Instagram)
Muslims all over the world pray in the direction of the Kabbah. (Photo: Bilal301/Instagram)
"If you want to make it to any of the 5 daily prayers in the haram close to the kaaba. You have to make your way there at least an hour before. Otherwise you'll have to pray your jama3a outside. This is the view of those praying outside from a window inside the haram." (Comments + Photo: Nasserkat/Instagram)
"The tents at Arafah, Mecca. At 11 am I'm guessing it's 38 degrees. The heat is superb."
(Comments + Photo: Nasserkat/Instagram)
Roughly 2 million of the devout will make the pilgrimage in the next few days. It would've been more, if not for construction and fears over the Coranovirus going around. (Photo: Nasserkat/Instagtram)
"The courtyard of the prophet's mosque. The haziness is due to the massive fans pumping water breeze onto the worshipers to cool them down."
(Photo: Nasserkat/Instagram)
At CMED, we want to encourage everyone to take a greater interest in the Middle East since it plays such a major role in US foreign policy. Luckily for students at UCLA, there are opportunities to get first-hand experience with various aspects of policy-making, and one of the best programs is the UCLA Center for American Politics and Public Policy (CAPPP).
Read MoreIn celebration of the Jewish New Year (and love of good food), try out some traditional recipes with Middle Eastern influence. Shana tova (happy new year)!
Read MoreThe business and finance landscape of the Middle East is changing rapidly and will undoubtedly continue growing and evolving in the years to come. Multiple news and intelligence outlets are committed to tracking this evolution exclusively, and work constantly to keep on top of the economic times. For those of your interested in following the latest in this developing region, here are a few of the most prominent outlets.
Read MoreWith broader access to the internet and greater opportunity to be heard, women are using new platforms to voice their opinions on everything from women's rights and politics to art and culture.
Read MoreContinuing our series on Middle East news sites, below is a list of a few political blogs which combine current affairs and a healthy dose of independent analysis…
Photo: Owen Brown.
Read MoreThink tanks play an invaluable role in policy development, and thus tracking their reports and programs can provide a glimpse into present and future tactical decisions. This guide is a sample of influential think tanks in the U.S. and abroad that focus on Middle East research.
Photo: Dell Official Flickr page
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