Fenjan: The Middle East Journal

05/05/2023

Our Spring 2023 issue is out now! Go give it a read at the link in our bio! Thank you to all of our wonderful seniors for all of your amazing contributions to Fenjan over the past 3 years. You will be greatly missed 💜

17/04/2023

Fenjan is looking to for new editors! Please fill out the form at the link in our bio if interested. Reach out with any and all questions or concerns. We can’t wait to hear from you all!

22/01/2023

As Iranian protestors are now being threatened with the death penalty by the Islamic Republic, their resiliency demonstrates the gravity of their calls for freedom. Recently declared Time Magazine’s People of the Year and Heroes of the Year for 2022, the women of Iran have maintained steadfast determination and passion for the Women Life Freedom Movement and international support for their protests is necessary. To get involved in protests efforts here in Philly, follow

19/01/2023

The Iraqi National Football (soccer) Team defeated the Osman National Football (soccer) team 3-2 in the Arabian Gulf Cup Final this morning. The tournament, held in Basra this year, is a soccer tournament hosted by the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation for the countries Iraq, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar. High off of a frenzied fandom and shock win over Qatar, the Iraqi hosts hoped to bring home their fourth Gulf Cup championship. The Omani ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth reportedly chartered a plane to transport Omani fans to Basra in efforts to thwart Iraq’s hometown advantage. The last time Iraq hosted the tournament was over 40 years ago in 1979, at which they were crowned champions. Congratulations to the Iraqi squad!

27/11/2022

We’re excited to announce our Fall 2022 issue is out now!!!! Click the link in our bio to read the newest issue!! So proud of everyone and all they did to make this issue happen ❤️

16/11/2022

As the World Cup kicks off on Sunday, protests in support of boycotting the tournament grow. Protesters advocate for a boycott of the tournament, citing Qatar’s treatment of laborers in building the Lusaila stadium. While Qatar has recently implemented labor reforms, most notably the abolition of the Kafala system, at least 6,500 migrant workers alone are reported to have died since preparation for the tournament began in 2010 up until 2021, according to the Guardian. FIFA reportedly set no human rights labor requirements for Qatari construction of the stadium. Slide to read Matthew Rabinowitz’s article from the Spring 2022 issue of Fenjan that questions whether Qatar’s attempt at labor reforms has actually had positive consequences. An audience beyond typical soccer fans will pay great attention to the upcoming World Cup, as many petition for Qatar to face punishment for their abusive labor strategies.

10/11/2022

In our Summer 2022 issue, Matteo Akbarpour wrote “Persecution of Baha’i in Iran”. This piece highlights the Iranian Baha’i population in Philadelphia, and the oppression this group faces at the hands of the Islamic Republic. We’d like to bring awareness to the Baha’i community and the expatriate Iranian community in Philadelphia. In order to support protests for Iran in and around Penn, follow and .

31/10/2022

On October 27th, Lebanese president Michel Aoun and Israel Prime Minister Yair Lapid signed a historic agreement specifying their maritime border in the Mediterranean Sea. The U.S. sanctioned agreement grants Israel the rights to drill for oil and gas in the Karish field and Lebanon the rights to the Qanaa prospect. This designation does not signify a political relationship between neighboring Israel and Lebanon, but reduces the chance of conflict at sea nonetheless. The southern maritime border delineation, as the deal was called by President Aoun, “will circumvent us from a definite war in the region,” according to Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Slide to view a map of the disputed region and oil fields.

18/10/2022

On September 16, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died after being arrested by the Iranian morality police for not wearing her hijab in accordance with government standards. Since then, Iranians of all generations and walks of life have taken to the streets to protest the Islamic Republic. We stand with the Iranian people as they fight for their freedom. Join us at the Love Statue tomorrow at 7 p.m. for a vigil.

02/10/2022

Fenjan writer Ahmed A. Ahmed (C’25) won first place of The Samuel P. And Ida S. Mandell Prize for Distinguished Research Article in a Penn Undergraduate Publication this past summer! Slide to read Ahmed’s award winning article “‘Feminism Is Not a Western Invention’: Egypt’s Anticolonial Feminist History”, published in Fenian’s Fall 2021 issue. Way to go Ahmed!

14/05/2022

Our Spring 2022 Issue is live now! Link in bio!

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03/05/2022

Eid Mubarak to everyone who celebrates this holiday!

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27/03/2022

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate the launch of the FIRST print issue of Fenjan! We are so grateful for your support. Fenjan would not be possible without , our dedicated editorial board, and our wonderful readers.
Your Co-Founders and Co-Editors-in-Chief,
Laila & Zey

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24/03/2022

Nowruz is the national new year holiday celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan, the Kurdish regions of Iraq, Turkey and Syria, and throughout Central Asia. It is a springtime celebration whose traditions symbolize rebirth and the connection between humans and nature. While the two-week celebrations center on visiting relatives, picnicking, traveling, and eating traditional food, Nowruz itself—which is Farsi for "new day"—is steeped in ancient myths and marks the beginning of the spring season.

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20/03/2022

Join us for a special night of celebration for the launch of the Fenjan Winter 2022 Issue, our first edition in print!

March 24, 7 PM to 9 PM Fisher-Bennett Hall, Room 135 [ ]

27/10/2021