Hissa+Hilal

__**What is ‘nabati’ poetry?**__ Nabati (نبطي) poetry, also known as Bedouin poetry, is a type of Arabic poetry native to the Arabian Peninsula. It dates back to the 16th century and forms a part of the culture and oral history of the Arabs of the Arabian Gulf and Peninsula. Nabati poetry also shows the natural creativity of the Gulf's inhabitants and represents their roots in this land. Nabati poetry, in contrast to Classical Arabic poetry, is written in the everyday dialect of the Peninsula and reflects daily life of everyday people. It has a simple, direct and spontaneous style. It is their everyday dialect. A strong dialect, slightly removed from classical Arabic.

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__**What does Hissa Hilal's husband think about her poetry?**__ Apparently the poet in her wanted to compete in the first 3 seasons of the Million’s Poet Contest. But it is only this year that she got permission to do so. Hissa Hilal said: “My husband was not refusing but he was hesitating. For him it is also a risk because men in such a society, to allow women to appear in public and speak in front of millions of people, is shameful. But he is open-minded. He is also a poet. He is a highly thinking man. When the fourth season came he said, ‘If you want to go, go’.”

__**Why is Hissa Hilal so Popular?** __
====Hissa Is so popular because she sends a message, slamming conservative Muslim clerics who she says unfairly separate men and women, spread extremism and give Islam a bad name. She reads "Defeat fear and conquer every frightening cave," she read on stage==== "Do not live life with one eye looking behind."

__**What is Hissa's Motivation? **__
====Mohammed al Farraj believes that Hissa Hilal is motivated by greed, seeking money at the expense of traditional values and shaming her family in the process. ====

__**What Countries are included in the Middle East? **__ Listed below are some of the main countries in the middle east. With information regarding the religions and just general information about the countries.


 * Egypt **

Religion in Egypt consists of Islam (mostly Sunni Muslim) 90%, Coptic Christians 9% and Other Christians 1%. As Egypt as modernized with new forms of media and Egyptian press was liberalized in the 2000s, Coptic Christianity has become a main topic of religious controversy. There is much tension between the Muslims and Copts of Egypt as Copts argue for more representation in government and less legal and administrative discrimination; they also feel underprotected from religious hate-crimes. With this greater freedom of press, the Coptic issue has just begun to break into public awareness, but also due to rises in extremism in both communities, media may also be exacerbating the sectarian tension by only publicizing examples of prejudice.Another current religious tension in Egypt is the role of the Muslim Brotherhood. Founded by Hassan al-Banna in Egypt, many countries have now developed their own branches. Many are violent and most Arab governments actively try to abolish the group by arresting and killing members. Currently, as the new government of Egypt is establishing itself, many are concerned that a member of the Muslim Brotherhood will step in and assume leadership. For the current candidates for presidency, more than one is likely to be affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood.

Iran
Religion in Iran is made up of 98% Islam (Shi'a 89%, Sunni 9%) and 2% Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i.[3home] Before the 2009 elections and demonstrations, the Basij and religious police were in a power position with the rights to arrest and punish people for acting immorally (i.e. wearing makeup or drinking alcohol). There was much religious oppression and executions of members of the Bah’ai faith. Religious minorities are now beginning to hold a larger presence and significance in Iran and are being acknowledged as such. The Islamic Revolution replaced an old world monarchy with a theocracy based on a grand position of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist (Velayat-e Faqih).[17home] This is a mix of republicanism and religion that would use religion to rule for elective and democratic institutions; it was to be a blend of liberalism and religious injunctions (abs). Islam would be protected under this Islamic Republic and unelected positions like the Supreme Leader and the Guardian Council would have unlimited power over the nation. With the nuclear program developing in Iran and much conflict after September 22, 2001, Iran and the Islamic Republic are at a crossroads.[17home]


 * Turkey **

Religion in Turkey is represented by 99.8% Muslim (mostly Sunni), and 0.2% other (mostly Christians and Jews).[3home] Originally a militarily secularized government, under the relatively new president Erdogan, religious freedom has become much more accessible in Turkey. There has been a growing religious resurgence in Turkey and more and more citizens find significance in their religious identities. The previous laws disallowing the Hijab, religious headscarf, in schools and public places has been a huge source of contention. Now, it is a matter of civil rights in courts. The case of Sahin 2004 was one that really exemplified the tension between religious secularism, civil rights and the government’s power in Turkey.[18home] The case revolved around a student at university being allowed to wear the Hijab in class.[18home] Religious education is also a topic of debate in Turkey. Before 1980, private religious education was banned and then it was changed to be required. As it is currently being reevaluted, the question is whether religious education should be banned again, optional or if it should be obligatory and plural.


 * Iraq **

Religion in Iraq is represented by 97% Islam (Shiite 60%–65%, Sunni 32%–37%), and 3% Christian or other.[3home] Because of this large majority of Shia over Sunni Muslim, there is much tension between the two groups. While Saddaam Hussein was in power with his Ba’athism regime, there was much repression of Sunnis. Though Ba’athism officially claims to keep plural representation in government, this was not upheld under Hussein. Shia has been generally unified and strong.[19home] They have held many power roles. On the other hand, Sunni has been somewhat fragmented.[19home] After the Ba’ath decline in the insurgency, one of the Shia religious groups, the Salafis, had the political power and this caused even more tension.[19home]

Saudi Arabia
Religion in Saudi Arabia is allegedly 100% Muslim.[3home] It is illegal to practice any other religion than Islam in Saudi Arabia. There is still tension, however, between the Sunnis and the Shiias. Shiite Islamist revolution has never been a huge threat to the Saudi Arabian governemtn, though, because it is such a small population.[20home] Sunni Islamists, though, present a larger threat to the government because of their large Saudi Arabian population. These Sunni groups often dissent through violence targeted at government, Western or non-Muslims that threat the Muslim nation, Shiites, and sometimes generally directed against moral corruption.[20home]

Yemen
Religion in Yemen is represented by a majority Islam (including Sunni and Shiite), small numbers of Jewish, Christian, and Hindu.[3home]

Syria
Religion in Syria is represented by 70% Islam (Sunni), 12% Alawite, 5% Druze, and other Islamic sects, 10% Christian (various sects), and there is some Jewish representation (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo).[3home]

Israel
Religion in Israel is represented by the following religious make-up: Judaism 77%, Islam 16%, Christian 2%, Druze 2% (2003).[3home] Israel represents the religious Holy Land for Jews, Christians and Muslims. All religions are present in Israel and lay personal claim to the land. Due to the significant Israeli/Palestinian conflict, tensions are high in the religious community. The majority of displaced and upset Palestinians are Muslim and the majority of current Israeli citizens are Jewish so establishing the state borders is highly influenced by religion. One of the main difficulties in establishing peace between the two countries is because of Jerusalem. Each of the main three religions are incredibly attached to this city and claim it as their own. Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether Palestinian Territories or Israel will encompass this region. Maps produced within the territories actually represent Jerusalem different. Palestinian maps draw Jerusalem as divided and Israeli maps show it as apart of Israeli territory.[21home]

Jordan
Religion in Jordan is represented by 92% Muslim (Sunni), 6% Christian (mostly Greek Orthodox), and 2% other.[3home]

Lebanon
Religion in Lebanon is represented by 60% Muslim (Shi'a, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite/Nusayri), 39% Christian (Maronite, Melkite, Syrian, Armenian, and Roman Catholic; Greek, Armenian, and Syrian Orthodox; Chaldean; Assyrian; Copt; Protestant), and 1% other.[3home] It has a confessional political system in which, regardless of party, the President is Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim, and the Speaker of the Parliament a Shi’ite, and the Deputy Prime Minister Greek Orthodox. This is the source of much conflict and while changes have been made to attempt to make parliamentary representation more even, many are still urging for reform and change.[22home] Some, even, would like the confessionalist government to be abolished.

Here is a link to a map of the countries that consist of the Middle East : []