https://www.lailashadid.comRSS Feed for Laila Jolin ShadidenSat, 11 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://scenenow.com/LifeStyle/Plestia-Alaqad-is-Moving-Away-from-HeadlinesFor the past two years, 24-year-old Plestia Alaqad has been learning how to report on Gaza from afar, while also discovering who she is beyond journalism. Palestinian journalist and author Plestia Alaqad became a public figure overnight. She remembers her first Instagram post that went viral on October 9th.“During war times,” she explains in the video, “all the neighbors leave their doors open so you can just enter your neighbor’s house…they’re gathering all together in a place far away from th...Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://scenenow.com/LifeStyle/Plestia-Alaqad-is-Moving-Away-from-Headlineshttps://scenenow.com/ArtsAndCulture/Sara-Shamma-Rebuilds-Syria-s-Destroyed-Palmyra-at-the-Venice-BiennaleSyria is returning to the Venice Biennale with an installation that reflects both the destruction of its heritage during the civil war and hopes for reconstruction. Damascene painter Sara Shamma will be the sole artist representing Syria at the 2026 Venice Biennale—the country’s first exhibition since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024.Shamma’s The Tower Tomb of Palmyra resurrects ancient ruins that were destroyed by Islamic State militias at the beginning of the 13-year Syria...Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://scenenow.com/ArtsAndCulture/Sara-Shamma-Rebuilds-Syria-s-Destroyed-Palmyra-at-the-Venice-Biennalehttps://scenenow.com/Home/When-Historic-Buildings-are-Restored-Who-Pays-to-Maintain-ThemRestoring heritage is only half the story—what happens after the scaffolding comes down? From Palestine to Egypt, SceneHome traces who funds maintenance once the work is done.Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://scenenow.com/Home/When-Historic-Buildings-are-Restored-Who-Pays-to-Maintain-Themhttps://scenenow.com/ArtsAndCulture/Sara-Shamma-Rebuilds-Syria-s-Destroyed-Palmyra-at-the-Venice-BiennaleSyria is returning to the Venice Biennale with an installation that reflects both the destruction of its heritage during the civil war and hopes for reconstruction.Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://scenenow.com/ArtsAndCulture/Sara-Shamma-Rebuilds-Syria-s-Destroyed-Palmyra-at-the-Venice-Biennalehttps://scenenow.com/LifeStyle/This-Foundation-is-Leading-the-Fight-Against-Eating-Disorders-in-EgyptNeveen Radwan started the Ameera Foundation to provide eating disorder education and care in Egypt, and to prevent what happened to her daughter from happening to anyone else.Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://scenenow.com/LifeStyle/This-Foundation-is-Leading-the-Fight-Against-Eating-Disorders-in-Egypthttps://scenenow.com/LifeStyle/Plestia-Alaqad-is-Moving-Away-from-HeadlinesFor the past two years, 24-year-old Plestia Alaqad has been learning how to report on Gaza from afar, while also discovering who she is beyond journalism.Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://scenenow.com/LifeStyle/Plestia-Alaqad-is-Moving-Away-from-Headlineshttps://scenenow.com/Styled/Q-A-Designer-Zeighn-Talks-Identity-Vogue-The-Palestinian-Wedding"Mama, Baba look, Vogue!" — SceneStyled caught up with fashion designer Zeighn Abu Al-Teen to discuss the making of her thesis look ‘The Palestinian Wedding' and using fashion to platform the cause.Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://scenenow.com/Styled/Q-A-Designer-Zeighn-Talks-Identity-Vogue-The-Palestinian-Weddinghttps://cairoscene.com/LifeStyle/Ex-UNRWA-Teachers-Bring-Palestinian-Children-Back-to-Class-in-CairoThe Fikra Initiative is restoring in person education to displaced Palestinian children in Cairo after two years without school.Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://cairoscene.com/LifeStyle/Ex-UNRWA-Teachers-Bring-Palestinian-Children-Back-to-Class-in-Cairohttps://cairoscene.com/ArtsAndCulture/Examining-What-Technology-Makes-Us-Feel-at-the-Diriyah-BiennalePhones that speak, the first Arabic computer and rapid change in Saudi Arabia. Diriyah Biennale 2026 asks how technology reshapes what we feel, remember and carry as the world keeps moving.Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://cairoscene.com/ArtsAndCulture/Examining-What-Technology-Makes-Us-Feel-at-the-Diriyah-Biennalehttps://cairoscene.com/LifeStyle/Ekhlas-Al-Azzah-Teaches-Arabic-From-Her-Wheelchair-in-PalestineVolunteers travel from across the globe to care for Ekhlas Al-Azzah in one of the smallest Palestinian refugee camps in the world. In exchange, she teaches them Arabic and about life in the West Bank.Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://cairoscene.com/LifeStyle/Ekhlas-Al-Azzah-Teaches-Arabic-From-Her-Wheelchair-in-Palestinehttps://scenenow.com/LifeStyle/How-Palestine-s-Taybeh-Brewery-Started-a-Beer-RevolutionTaybeh Brewery is home to many superlatives, holding the titles of The First Microbrewery in the Middle East, The First Palestinian Beer, and The First Female Brewer in the Region.Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://scenenow.com/LifeStyle/How-Palestine-s-Taybeh-Brewery-Started-a-Beer-Revolutionhttps://cairoscene.com/ArtsAndCulture/Suad-Amiry-on-Defending-Palestinian-Identity-Through-Cultural-Heritage"The protection of cultural heritage is the protection of memory and identity." Author and architect Suad Amiry speaks with us about protecting Palestinian identity in the face of Israeli erasure.Tue, 06 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://cairoscene.com/ArtsAndCulture/Suad-Amiry-on-Defending-Palestinian-Identity-Through-Cultural-Heritagehttps://scenehome.com/Projects/We-Design-Beirut-Asks-How-Can-Design-Rebuild-The-CityFor WDB Beirut, design is a way to reconnect people with their city, activate youth, and pull Lebanon back into the global cultural conversation.Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://scenehome.com/Projects/We-Design-Beirut-Asks-How-Can-Design-Rebuild-The-Cityhttps://scenenow.com/ArtsAndCulture/Tattoo-Designer-Yehia-Moldan-Translates-Arabic-Into-Geometry-on-SkinYehia Moldan transforms Arabic letters into abstract geometric tattoos, creating a language that maps his journey from Gaza to Sweden, and Berlin to Cairo.Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://scenenow.com/ArtsAndCulture/Tattoo-Designer-Yehia-Moldan-Translates-Arabic-Into-Geometry-on-Skinhttps://scenenow.com/ArtsAndCulture/Gaza-s-Borderless-Biennale-Carries-Palestinian-Art-Across-the-GlobeCairoScene spoke to the Gaza Biennale artists living in Egypt about what it means to create in exile.Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://scenenow.com/ArtsAndCulture/Gaza-s-Borderless-Biennale-Carries-Palestinian-Art-Across-the-Globehttps://scenenow.com/LifeStyle/With-Hoda-Abrahim-You-Will-Find-Love-InshallahHoda Abrahim is the star of Hulu's The Muslim Matchmaker. She will go to the ends of the earth to find you your person—by even cold messaging eligible singles on LinkedIn.Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://scenenow.com/LifeStyle/With-Hoda-Abrahim-You-Will-Find-Love-Inshallahhttps://scenenow.com/LifeStyle/Gazans-in-Cairo-Create-Livelihoods-Beyond-Donations-With-SafeGrowSafeGrow is the organization supporting Gazan refugees displaced in Egypt find freelance work, rebuild businesses that have been destroyed, and start new ones.Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://scenenow.com/LifeStyle/Gazans-in-Cairo-Create-Livelihoods-Beyond-Donations-With-SafeGrowhttps://cairoscene.com/LifeStyle/PalPsych-Trains-Volunteers-to-Support-Gazan-Refugees-in-CairoAmy Estrada started PalPsych when she saw a gap in mental health services for Gazan refugees in Cairo. Since 2024, she has trained over 70 volunteers, many without a background in psychology.Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://cairoscene.com/LifeStyle/PalPsych-Trains-Volunteers-to-Support-Gazan-Refugees-in-Cairohttps://cairoscene.com/Home/RIWAQ-Centre-Fights-to-Safeguard-Gaza-s-Architecture-Amidst-GenocideAs Gaza's cultural heritage sites fall under attack by Israeli forces, the Ramallah-based RIWAQ Centre for Architectural Conservation intervenes to conserve them.Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://cairoscene.com/Home/RIWAQ-Centre-Fights-to-Safeguard-Gaza-s-Architecture-Amidst-Genocidehttps://cairoscene.com/LifeStyle/Halfpipes-Under-Siege-The-Skateboarding-Scene-in-Gaza-the-West-BankGaza Skate Team and the West Bank's Skateboarding.ps run lessons for kids in the occupied Palestinian territories, with support from the UK-based SkatePal.Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://cairoscene.com/LifeStyle/Halfpipes-Under-Siege-The-Skateboarding-Scene-in-Gaza-the-West-Bankhttps://cairoscene.com/ArtsAndCulture/Norah-Al-Amri-Turns-City-Streets-Into-Her-Fashion-MuseFrom iPhone shots to global magazine cover stories, award-winning photographer Norah Al-Amri is committed to illustrating Saudi culture in all of its complexity.Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://cairoscene.com/ArtsAndCulture/Norah-Al-Amri-Turns-City-Streets-Into-Her-Fashion-Musehttps://cairoscene.com/LifeStyle/Advice-From-My-Bawab-The-Most-Reliable-Man-In-My-LifeSince I moved to Cairo a month ago, Abu Saleh has been the most reliable constant in my life. He wants me to know I am safe here, but at a cost.Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://cairoscene.com/LifeStyle/Advice-From-My-Bawab-The-Most-Reliable-Man-In-My-Lifehttps://cairoscene.com/LifeStyle/Mckenz-s-Period-Swimwear-Pairs-Poolside-Style-With-Social-Impact19-year-old Kenzie Medhat doesn't want you to be ashamed of your period, which is why she launched this Egyptian-made period swimwear line.Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://cairoscene.com/LifeStyle/Mckenz-s-Period-Swimwear-Pairs-Poolside-Style-With-Social-Impacthttps://scenenoise.com/News/Bethlehem-s-Wonder-Cabinet-Opens-Call-For-10-Week-Learning-ProgrammeFrom October to December, the cultural hub home to Radio al Hara will host a learning programme with Jordan's Spring Sessions rooted in cultural and creative exchange between Amman and Bethlehem.Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://scenenoise.com/News/Bethlehem-s-Wonder-Cabinet-Opens-Call-For-10-Week-Learning-Programmehttps://www.lailashadid.com/articles/talking-to-a-taxi/A piece I wrote for a class at the Institute of Critical Thought in Amman titled "Kafka Goes to Palestine."Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.lailashadid.com/articles/talking-to-a-taxi/https://ammannet.net/english/borderless-testimonies-journalism-ticket-exile-or-death"It takes stamina–keep your spirits high.” Do you remember those words? The words of war correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh are impossible to forget. She was killed by bullets fired by Israeli occupation forces while reporting in the field.Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://ammannet.net/english/borderless-testimonies-journalism-ticket-exile-or-deathhttps://www.thecairoreview.com/essays/in-jordan-trump-is-a-divisive-figure/Before Trump officially took office, some Jordanians believed that he was the “lesser of two evils”. Now, two months into his presidency, Trump has few fans in Amman.Thu, 27 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thecairoreview.com/essays/in-jordan-trump-is-a-divisive-figure/https://www.albustanseeds.org/news/grieving-lebanese-pennsylvanians-send-aid-to-families-displaced-by-israeli-bombings“It’s so difficult to watch a place and a people to whom you are so connected suffer so much violence at the hands of international actors who have no regard for the wellbeing or livelihoods of people in the Middle East,” said 23-year-old Lebanese American and Penn alum Laila Shadid in an interview with Al-Bustan News.Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.albustanseeds.org/news/grieving-lebanese-pennsylvanians-send-aid-to-families-displaced-by-israeli-bombingshttps://ammannet.net/english/amid-economic-crises-and-lack-solutions-can-jordan-reduce-poverty-ratesSince the outbreak of COVID-19, Jordan’s economy has suffered crisis after crisis—from waves of inflation in 2021, to repercussions from regional conflicts such as the Russian-Ukrainian war and, most recently, the genocide in Gaza. Today, the Kingdom continues on the path of economic decline.Sun, 09 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://ammannet.net/english/amid-economic-crises-and-lack-solutions-can-jordan-reduce-poverty-rateshttps://ammannet.net/english/jordan-rejects-trump%E2%80%99s-bid-%E2%80%9Cclean-out-whole%E2%80%9D-gaza-strip#google_vignetteGovernment officials and experts alike reject U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal Saturday that Jordan and Egypt accept 1.5 million Palestinian refugees from Gaza.Mon, 27 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://ammannet.net/english/jordan-rejects-trump%E2%80%99s-bid-%E2%80%9Cclean-out-whole%E2%80%9D-gaza-strip#google_vignette