Elan Magazine

Celebrating, inspiring and informing readers about global thought-leaders and global trends impacting the Middle East and South Asia for the better. Official Tumblr Home of Elanthemag.com

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#Obama visits an #American #Mosque for the first time in his presidency. #Muslims #MuslimAmericans #POTUS #MosqueVisit #Baltimore www.elanthemag.com/president-Obama-stands-Muslims-five-epic-quotes

[elanmagazine]

"Dear #Egyptians, go back to your work on Sunday, work like never before and help #Egypt become a developed country."- #WaelGhonim via #Twitter #Jan25 #EgyptianRevolution

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"If you can't imagine yourself in one of those boats, you have something missing. They are dying for a life worth living." #J.K.Rowling #refugeeswelcome #syrianrefugees #refugees #quote #quotes #quoteoftheday #digitalmajlis #syria #middleeast

[elanmagazine]

Excellent advice to start the #NewYear by the one and only starchitect, Dame Zaha Hadid from @zahahadidarchitects #NewYearResolution #QuoteOfTheDay #quotes #quotestagram

[elanmagazine]

This is #MangerSquare in the center of #Bethlehem, Palestine, where Jesus is said to have been born. The #ChurchOfTheNativity, surrounds the square, possibly the oldest church in the world. #MiddleEastChristmas #ChristmasInTheMiddleEast

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"Yes, reform is still young. But what I see unfolding in the classrooms of independent schools deserves all the support we are capable of offering." #QatarNationalDay #Qatar #QatarDay #Qatar_National_Day

[elanmagazine]

The desert scenes in Star Wars: The Force Awakens were filmed in Rub' Al Khali desert, also known as the empty quarter. It's the largest contiguous sand desert in the world. May The Force Be With You. #starwars #starwarsfans #AbuDhabi #UAE #MyUAE #Dubai #MyDubai #Nahyan #AlNahyan #2454 #twofour54 #twofour54abudhabi #twofour54_intaj #twofour54tadreeb

[elanmagazine]

Amal Clooney launches scholarship program for Lebanese Women. "This scholarship will give young women from Lebanon the opportunity of a lifetime," said Amal. #Lebanon #LebaneseWomen #ArabWomenScholarship #ArabWomen

[elanmagazine]

#Chanukah was celebrated in the capital of #Bahrain for the first time since 1948. King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa met with numerous faith representatives in the capital city of #Manama on the second night of the festival. #DigitalMajlis #AlwaysInspire

[elanmagazine]

Elan wants to build on the spirit of sharing, exploring and communicating. We are pleased to announce the launch of our new concept "Elan, Your Digital Majlis." Comment, share, post memes, let your voice be heard. It's what Elan, The Middle East and a majlis are all about. #Elan #majlis #digitalmajlis #Arab #discussion

[elanmagazine]

From Nazareth to Hollywood: Why Palestinian actress Leem Lubany is the real star in ‘Rock the Kasbah’

The reviews are in and Palestinian actress Leem Lubany shines in Barry Levinson’s new movie ‘Rock the Kasbah’ with grace and fearlessness.

The plot of the story is distantly inspired by Setera Hussainzada, an Afghan female vocalist who received death threats after her headscarf slipped during her performance on the real-life Afghan Star in Kabul.

The 19-year-old actress talks to Elan about her role as Afghan songbird Salima, her quick journey to the red carpet and advice for aspiring actors in the Middle East.

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Lilas Taha’s Bitter Almonds exemplifies struggle of displacement, resilience of the human spirit

“So it is good to eat bitter almonds because they make the sweet ones taste even better?”

This simple unifying thread weaves its way through Lilas Taha’s new book ‘Bitter Almonds,’ enriched by the gripping story of Palestinian exiles in Damascus and, in many ways, her own experiences of loss and displacement.

Filled with struggle, compassion and resilience, ‘Bitter Almonds’ exemplifies the power of the human spirit.

Read more about Taha’s gripping new novel. 

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Middle East online marketplace Mini Exchange secures over $1 million in seed funding

Mini Exchange, the MENA region’s first online marketplace for ‘everything mums & kids’  has closed its seed fundraising round of over $1 million.

Starting out with a mere 500 items at the start of 2014, the company has rapidly grown into a thriving online marketplace offering over 30,000 items from more than 250 international brands from Havianas and Gingersnaps to Baby Jogger and Chicco.

Read more about how Dubai-based British entrepreneur Sarah Jones transformed the platform into a thriving enterprise. 

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“Be innovative and never try to create something that already exists. Look at best practices and see if you can do something better.” - Maria Mahdaly, Saudi entrepreneur and co-founder of Rumman Company which handles Destination Jeddah Magazine and Fainak.

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German artist Philipp Geist’s light installation entitled “Gate of Words” will pour down colored words of love, peace, and freedom on Tehran’s Azadi Tower from Oct. 3rd - 5th.

کنسرت نور برج آزادى شنبه شب توسط «فیلیپ گایست» هنرمند آلمانى اغاز شد و به مدت سه روز ادامه خواهد داشت

[matadornetwork]

It’s not a dream. You’re in Turkey. Watch the rest at www.bit.ly/WatchMatador. @Turkey_Home #TurquoiseHunt

[elanmagazine]

#GirlsAtDhabas: Local feminists start a brilliant movement to reclaim public spaces for women

They're not standing in public areas with posters and boards, protesting against the unfairly established gender roles.

The ‪women‬ behind Girls at Dhabas are reclaiming ‪Pakistan‬’s public spaces and inspiring others to do the same - with a cup of chai in one hand and a samosa in the other.

Read more about how these women are doing more than just raise awareness about the gender imbalance.

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