Following the Trail of a Peacock, from Northern Iraq to Singapore and Beyond (part 4)

In this blog series, MEI Visiting Research Fellow Martin van Bruinessen writes about the curious significance of the peacock across cultures from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. This fourth part delves into the cult of Murugan in Malaysia.

Following the Trail of a Peacock, from Northern Iraq to Singapore and Beyond (part 3)

In this blog series, MEI Visiting Research Fellow Martin van Bruinessen writes about the curious significance of the peacock across cultures from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. This third part explains the relationship between Yezidis and Hindus through...

Following the Trail of a Peacock, from Northern Iraq to Singapore and Beyond (part 2)

In this blog series, MEI Visiting Research Fellow Martin van Bruinessen writes about the curious significance of the peacock across cultures from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. This second part explores the ubiquity of the peacock in Tamil...

Religious Minorities of the Middle East

The widely-held association of the Middle East with the Islamic tradition often eludes the minority religious communities that make up the region. From Jews in Israel to Yazidis in Iraq, the people of the Middle East are a mosaic...

Following the Trail of a Peacock, from Northern Iraq to Singapore and Beyond (part 1)

In this blog series, MEI Visiting Research Fellow Martin van Bruinessen writes about the curious significance of the peacock across cultures from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. This first part discusses the peacock in Yezidi culture, represented by...

The Art of Resistance: A History of Graffiti in Iran

By Zafirah Mohamed Zein 31 July 2018 Graffiti has always been seen as art for the masses, treating the walls of a city as its canvas, vibrantly displaying political sentiment and social commentary in bold and unique styles. Graffiti’s...

Move to give Jews special status sparks controversy

The Writing on the Wall: Rethinking the International Law of Occupation

Professor Aeyal Gross delivers a talk on his new book on international law of occupation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Black Beards and Blue Helmets: Jihad, Peace-keeping, and the Question of Universalism

Professor Darryl Li delivers his talk based on his research on transnational jihad and peacekeeping in Bosnia. 

Transformation of Saudi Arabia: Can MBS’ Economic and Religious Reforms Succeed?

Professor Haykel delivers a lecture on Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s push for economic and social reform in Saudi Arabia.