Support Raseef22

There is a crisis of hope in the Middle East. The revolutions that once promised freedom, dignity and economic prosperity have either been crushed or transformed into brutal civil wars, brother against brother. New restrictions on the media, from censorship and intimidation to outright murder of journalists, have closed off the space for free expression. This is exacerbated by financial collapse in Lebanon, in addition to the collapse of advertising revenue with the Covid-19 epidemic.

The only way out is for us to talk to each other – about our identities, the changes we want to see in our societies, to try and better understand the forces like religion, economy, political ideology and sexuality, that shape our communities.

Here at Raseef22, we have built a virtual space where ideas are free – a temporary refuge while the physical spaces of our squares and streets are off-limits.

We ask that you support us in our struggle. All your contribution will go towards paying our writers, young women and men who are defying dangers to tell our stories.

Support independent Arab media. You can make a difference.