Hey there,

You might imagine that in a month shaped by devotion, the loudest sounds are those of collective prayer. And yet, at this very moment, another reality unfolds alongside it. While some stand shoulder to shoulder in Ramadan rituals, others stand amid the tremors of war and conflict. Two worlds move at once. One of worship and reflection, the other of violence and uncertainty.

How can prayer and war occupy the same calendar, the same news cycle, the same human experience? How can nights be filled with supplication in one place and with fear in another? The coexistence of these extremes feels almost impossible, yet it is precisely this simultaneity that defines our moment.

Prayer, however, has never depended on perfect circumstances. It does not wait for peace treaties or calm headlines. For many, it continues in small, intimate spaces, on a balcony at sunset, in a dimly lit bedroom, whispered before sleep.

Perhaps this is what Ramadan reveals most clearly: humanity’s capacity to hold contradiction. Even as the world fractures in some corners, people continue to bow, to hope, to believe.

Warm regards,

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Rather than chasing surface-level spectacle, Ahmed Abdalla’s films focus on real people, real moments, and everyday life, showing how stories rooted in the present can feel fresh and meaningful. He began his journey in the arts as a musician and editor before moving into filmmaking, bringing with him a deep curiosity about people’s lives and a desire to express his own perspective. He doesn’t force a style so much as let each story guide him, choosing formats, settings, and tones that feel right for the subject at hand. At its heart, his work is an invitation to stay present, to look closely at the beauty and complexity of ordinary life, and to keep exploring new ways to tell stories that matter.

Discover his work here.

Prayer is not limited to mosques or grand spaces, nor is it only defined by ritual. It is something softer and more intimate; a conversation between a person and the divine that can happen anywhere the heart finds stillness. Through a series of photographs, we see Muslims in Egypt praying in many different places and moments in the streets, in open spaces, and in everyday corners of life. Prayer is less about where you stand and more about how you stand: grounded, present, and steady. In its simplicity, prayer becomes a source of comfort and strength.

Read the article here.

A mosque is not just as a place of worship but is a living bridge between spirit and Earth. In rural Egypt, a new Net Zero mosque is being envisioned that blends sacred space with deep respect for the natural world, showing how places of prayer can honor both the divine and the environment. This mosque is designed to breathe with its surroundings, built with sustainable, earth-friendly materials and shaped in harmony with the landscape. It draws on ancient ideas of sacredness, where humans and nature are part of one whole, rather than separate realms.

Read the article here.

In the Sufi tradition, this book explores that the heart is not just a symbol for feelings; it is seen as a real center of intuition, perception, and understanding, a place where the spiritual and the ordinary meet. Instead of learning about life only through thought or observation, this path encourages us to gently open to the knowing heart within us. This inner space perceives beauty, meaning, and truth without forcing answers. Through its pages, we are reminded that when the heart is cultivated and purified, it can awaken a sense of who we truly are and how we connect with others and the world.

Read more here.

There’s something about listening to Shem Wroud by Zef that feels like standing at the edge of the sea just before sunset. The song carries a softness that lingers — airy, tender, and a little nostalgic — much like the coastal hush of Byblos. Its dreamy melodies seem to echo the rhythm of the waves against ancient stone, wrapping you in the same gentle calm that defines the town’s narrow streets and salt-kissed breeze. Listening to it feels less like pressing play and more like stepping into a memory.

Listen here.

A love story unfolds between Ibrahim and Ahlam, two young people from a humble neighborhood whose sincere feelings for one another are tested by mounting struggles, and by the looming threat of an obsessive man who forces his way into their lives. This is the kind of show that gently pulls you in and stays with you. Beneath the suspense and conflict, there is something deeply wholesome about it; the way it portrays devotion, loyalty, and the resilience of two people who simply want to protect their love.

Watch it here.

After a long day of fasting, you deserve a dessert that feels like a reward, and tiramisu cake is exactly that. Soft, coffee-soaked layers melting into clouds of mascarpone cream, with just the right hint of cocoa to balance the sweetness. It’s light enough not to weigh you down after iftar, but indulgent enough to feel like a celebration.

Find out more here.

What if you paused long enough to frame the world as it truly feels right now? Photopia: Finding Frames Through Faith is an invitation to do exactly that. Not to take perfect photos, but to chase moments that almost go unnoticed. This workshop is for the ones who sense that there’s a story unfolding inside spaces of worship, and who want to capture it. It’s about learning to see faith in the small acts of belief that survive difficult times. Bring your camera, or just your phone. Bring your questions.

Find out more here.

Modern women in Saudi Arabia are leading, participating, and increasingly asserting their presence in the workforce, with the latest official statistics showing female labor force participation climbing to 36.2 percent in the third quarter of 2024, a testament to years of policy reform under Vision 2030. 

The latest Labor Market Bulletin from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) indicates that this figure represents a 0.8‑percentage‑point increase over the prior quarter, pushing women’s participation to heights not seen in the Kingdom’s modern history. 

The bulletin also shows that the employment‑to‑population ratio for Saudi women climbed to 31.3 percent, an uptick of 0.5 percentage points from the quarter before, while participation among young Saudi women aged 15 to 24 rose to 18 percent.

Read more here.