It (was) oh so quiet: The Music of Libya

‘Silence in the face of oppression is a crime’, declares Libyan rapper Ibn Thabit on his track ‘No Doubt’. And for a long time, there was a pervading silence in Libya. In comparison to neighbouring powerhouses of Algeria and Egypt, Libya’s music industry has been virtually non-existent during the past forty years. While artists such … Continued

Iraq protests: the constitutional roots to the unrest

December 2012 saw the outbreak of a new wave of protests in Iraq against the perceived marginalisation of and discrimination against Sunni Muslims in the country. The latest episode of demonstrations, which were sparked by the arrests of the bodyguards of the former Finance Minister, Rafia al-Issawi, began in the Anbar province. Since then, tens … Continued

Factional Fighting and the Future of the Iranian Presidency

The contemporary political landscape of Iran is characterised by a complex, even Byzantine, collection of intersecting factions and rivalries. There is a lack of formal political parties, as the term is understood in Western politics, largely because they have been banned. Instead shifting coalitions are focussed around the three main centres of power: the Ayatollah, … Continued

Editor’s note – April 2013

Asfar’s second e-Journal brings together eighteen unique submissions, by a diverse group of new Writers and Photographers. Since our first e-Journal in December 2012, Asfar has developed rapidly as a voluntary organisation, growing from a team of just 6 volunteer Editors to 17 Editors all charged with an individual country. Thanks to the dedication of … Continued

A Journey through Jordan

  Matej Belin is originally from Slovakia and is currently living in Scotland. He is completing his fourth and final year at the University of Edinburgh, studying Arabic and Economics. He spent a life-changing year abroad in Jordan, during which he travelled throughout the country and assembled an impressive and extensive photographic collection from his … Continued

Why should we be looking at Qatar?

Turbulent times across the MENA [Middle East & Near Aligned] region have focused the world’s attention to a handful of highly dynamic actors. It is hard not to be aware of the increasingly desperate situation in Syria, the rocky road to recovery in Tunisia, or the Gulf’s own issues in Bahrain. However, the Arab Spring … Continued

A chronicle from Port Said

‘Games of sport involve the skill and strength of the opponents and the humiliation of defeat and the pride of victory are in themselves sufficient stake because they inhere in the worth of the principals and define them. But trial of chance or trial of worth all games aspire to the condition of war for … Continued

Hajj: Makkah and a Million Muslims

Three million people attend the religious pilgrimage of Hajj every year. Last year, for three weeks, I was one of the three million. I cleared myself of all expectation and entered into the experience with an interest for the political, religious and social organisation of so many people. Visiting the city of Makkah1 and seeing … Continued

Black Sabbath

  Hebron, West Bank.   The Sabbath: an alien concept to an American agnostic living in the modern world of hyperactivity. Shabbat is a day of rest, observed from nightfall every Friday night until three stars appear in the Saturday night sky. During this time, all forms of ‘deliberate activity’ are prohibited according to Jewish … Continued

All writers' views in articles are their own and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the AsfarEurope team.

Published by AsfarEurope in London, UK - ISSN 2055-7957 (Online)