Middle East Research and Information Project

Critical Coverage of the Middle East Since 1971

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Suad Joseph

Suad Joseph is a distinguished research professor of anthropology and gender, sexuality and women’s studies at University of California Berkeley.

MER Article

Secularism and Personal Status Codes in Lebanon

Marie Rose Zalzal is secretary general for Tayyar al-‘Ilmani (Movement for Secularism) and a practicing lawyer in Abu Rumana, Matn, Lebanon. Part of a research project on the impact of Lebanon’s civil war (1975-1990) on women, the interview was conducted by Suad Joseph on September 29, October 6 and

Suad Joseph • 8 min read

MER Article

Gender and Citizenship in Middle Eastern States

The debate on citizenship in the Middle East was preceded by and now parallels the debate on civil society. In the West, discussion on these subjects often assumes Middle Eastern countries are incapable of sustaining democratic relations between state and society. [1] The citizenship debate question

Suad Joseph • 17 min read

MER Article

Women and Politics in the Middle East

How are Middle East women political and how do they participate in states, movements, revolts and revolutions? Few activities of ordinary people are inherently political. How something comes to be seen as political at times and non-political at other times, and who gets to define it as such, are bas

Suad Joseph • 11 min read