Opinion

Iran Opinion

Iran has a long history of protests. This time it’s different

October 8, 2022 by Alex Shams

Originally published in the Los Angeles Times on Oct. 8, 2022. Three weeks in, Iran’s protests show no signs of stopping. Sparked by the death of a young Kurdish Iranian

Iran Opinion

What Role Does Religion Play in Iran’s Protests?

September 28, 2022 by Alex Shams

Alex Shams was interviewed by AJ+ about the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests in Iran that began in September 2022. He discussed how protestors were navigating the complex relationship between religion

Iran Opinion

Happy Nowruz from Ajam: 1399 in Review

April 19, 2021 by Alex Shams

Originally published on Ajam Media Collective at April 19, 2021. Happy Nowruz from all of us here at Ajam Media Collective! It’s a rare thing to experience the turn of

Iran Opinion

Poetry fills Tehran streets as Iranians adapt Nowruz rituals to Corona restrictions

March 24, 2020 by Alex Shams

Originally published by Ajam Media Collective on March 24, 2020. This is the second article in a series about how Iranians are adjusting their lives as they enter the second

Opinion

Happy Nowruz from Ajam: 1398 in Review

March 20, 2020 by Alex Shams

Originally published by Ajam Media Collective on March 20, 2020. Happy Nowruz from all of us here at Ajam Media Collective! With the arrival of the first day of spring

Opinion

Muscat: Where the Arab World Meets the Indian Ocean

August 27, 2019 by Alex Shams

Originally published by Ajam Media Collective on August 27, 2019. All photos by author Alex Shams. In Muscat’s souq, Arabic, Baluchi, Urdu, Hindi, and Malayalam mix freely, alongside a variety

Iran Opinion

Tehran is not just “LA with minarets”: Against cliches of Third World cities on the brink of disaster

January 14, 2019 by Alex Shams

The Guardian covered Tehran in its recent article series, “The next 15 mega cities,” an examination of metropolises across Asia and Africa that will soon hit the 15-million population mark.

Opinion

Bulgarian Habibi: How Orientalist Stereotypes in Chalga Music Recover Memories of the Balkans’ Ottoman Past

January 10, 2019 by Alex Shams

Originally published by Balkanist on January 10, 2019. The tension inherent to chalga and turbofolk music – is it local or foreign? – hints at the deeper paradox beneath contemporary

India Iran Opinion

How Nowruz is Celebrated Around the World

March 21, 2018 by Alex Shams

Originally published by Ajam Media Collective on March 21, 2018. Nowruz is an ancient festival marking the arrival of Spring that is celebrated in parts of the Middle East, Central

Opinion Palestine

How Trump ruined Christmas for Palestinian Christians

December 25, 2017 by Alex Shams

Originally published by Middle East Eye on December 25, 2017. American support for Israel is helping drive Palestinian Christians out Christmas is a special time of the year in Palestine.

Iran has a long history of protests. This time it’s different

What Role Does Religion Play in Iran’s Protests?

Happy Nowruz from Ajam: 1399 in Review

Poetry fills Tehran streets as Iranians adapt Nowruz rituals to Corona restrictions

Happy Nowruz from Ajam: 1398 in Review

Muscat: Where the Arab World Meets the Indian Ocean

Tehran is not just “LA with minarets”: Against cliches of Third World cities on the brink of disaster

Bulgarian Habibi: How Orientalist Stereotypes in Chalga Music Recover Memories of the Balkans’ Ottoman Past

How Nowruz is Celebrated Around the World

How Trump ruined Christmas for Palestinian Christians

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