Imagine engaging in dialogue with communities from the most war torn cities around the globe, documenting international affairs as they happen by the minute, and country-hopping to more than a dozen locales annually. Imagine these opportunities as your full time job! For Hannah Allam, age 29,Cairo Bureau Chief for McClatchy Newspapers, this is the reality that’s helped effectively encapsulate world events for the domestic audience. Covering events in the Middle East and the Islamic World, Hannah’s reporting brings the ravages and spectacles of war a bit closer to home helping readers better understand the true meaning of conflict and combat. As...

The global women’s right movement is not only a woman’s movement, but a human one whose impact can be felt in all aspects of life, from the political to the religious. Zainab Al-Suwaij is the 35 year-old Co-Founder and Executive Director of the American Islamic Congress (AIC) whose mission is to build “interfaith and interethnic understanding.” By promoting human rights, and social justice, and fighting terrorism, extremism and hate speech, the AIC is at the forefront of a movement that reaches out to all peoples in the hopes of establishing a real dialogue which will educate people about Islam and the diversity within it....

Often times we see gossip columns that focus on celebrity relationships, fashion, and follies. Many times it is difficult, if not impossible, to read and learn about celebrities of substance. Shiva Rose, starring in her latest film “David and Layla,” bravely brings current issues to the forefront of our minds both on and off film. Active in human rights, anti-war protests and organizations, Shiva dedicates as much time as possible to fighting injustice and violence across the world. She has also become the first Persian actress to lead in an English speaking film. The film “David and Layla” tackles such politically...

Another bomb blast, another day. That’s usually how it is for people reading the news in the comfort of their homes away from Palestine and Israel. Unfortunately (and unfairly), it’s the suicide bombings that catch most of the headlines – what’s the other side of the story? That’s what the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) andLena Khalaf, 31, co-founder, hope to tell. IMEU is a non-profit aimed at proving journalists with quick access to accurate and relevant information – including commentaries, analysis, photos, and more – regarding Palestine-related issues, both political and cultural. It’s a tough task, but Lena and IMEU...

From the moment Eyad Zahra realized his passion for cinema, he hasn’t been able to keep his mind off of filmmaking. This 23-year old award-winning filmmaker is an up and coming producer who started his own company, Rumanni Filmworks, before finishing even a quarter of his life. His films have played in countless festivals and even gone on to steal prestigious awards. Currently, he is working onthe much-anticipated SALAAM MTV – MTV’s answer to the Arab world. The MidEastConnect has realized that you cannot know about modern cinema without knowing more about Eyad Zahra and therefore we are proud to feature him in this...

Some would argue that words are the strongest form of expression. Others would say a picture can represent a thousand words. Aliah Najmabadi, 27, Assistant Director and Pricipal Dancer and others of Ballet Afsaneh and Afsaneh Art and Culture Society, a professional non-profit performing arts company, however chooses to express themselves and preserve their Persian and Central Asian culture through dance, music and poetry. Najmabadi shares with how the blending of these art forms and the successful outreach to surrounding communities has helped ensure a non-religious and apolitical voice on highlighting the beauty of the Middle Eastern culture. Learn more about...

What do Lisa Marie Presley, the Wayans Brothers, Nickelback and our featured Young Professional of the Week, Babak Vosoughi, 32, have in common? They all sport his world famous clothing line, Remembrance. A serial Design entrepreneur, Babak has already successfully launchedHistory Clothing and is working on launching Modern Prophecy this Fall. Design enthusiasts are flocking to high-end boutiques and department stores to grab a piece of Babak’s work – a fusion of cultures, historical events and modern art. Learn more about Babak and his entrepreneurial success as we spotlight him in this week’s Young & Professional Profile. About the company WIth my current clothing line,...

Sohail Dahdal wants to draw more attention to the plight of the Palestinians, but doing so requires winning over some tough audiences. That’s where the Palo-Dutch Concept Factory comes in. The organization holds idea-generating workshops in Ramallah. During the three-day workshops, creative-thinking Palestinians get together with Dutch advertising and public-relations specialists, and the two groups work together to develop campaign ideas that highlight the situation of the Palestinians. One of these ideas, for example, is “Send a Friend.” Most Palestinian children can’t travel outside the occupied territories, so children in the Netherlands, using Web cameras, will act as tour guides, taking Palestinian children...