FAQ
Why did we start Mideast Youth?
We know that our region, the Middle East, is one of the most misrepresented places in the world. For that reason, we felt it was time to create a network to enable youth from across the Middle East - and across the world - to learn more about us, our neighbors, and our relationships with each other. We wanted a place where we be proud of our diversity yet united in the name of the values we promote: human rights, religious freedom, tolerance, and free speech.
Who funds us?
We fund ourselves. Some of us have part-time jobs, and we use some of our money in order to pay off server costs, domains, et al. We intend on staying financially independent in order to avoid being associated with other organizations who might claim ownership. We would like to be able to do what we want without outside interference or guidance. Put simply, we are our own boss.
If you would like to support us, you are more than welcome to donate.
What do we want Mideast Youth to offer?
Our aim is to offer the public what mainstream media constantly lacks - uncensored information, personal anecdotes from underrepresented minorities, highlighting ignored or forgotten human rights abuses, articles that focus on unique and youthful art, music and culture. In terms of content we offer much more. The website serves as an interactive and educational platform for our readers and participants.
Who can join our network as an author or staff member?
Absolutely anyone from or in the Middle East and North Africa. Our only requirement is to be respectful as an author. Currently all our staff members are volunteers who invest and work on the website without financially gaining from it. Their passion for achieving the goals of Mideast Youth is enough to work on its development.
What do we want to prove by creating this website?
We want to prove the fact that diversity is powerful and positive, and we should find ways to coexist for the sake of a better and more productive Middle East. Currently Mideast Youth is the only site to come out of the Middle East that is engaged with diversity to such a degree. Our authors are incredibly diverse; they range among Palestinian Christians, Arab Jews, Armenians, Iranian atheists, Israeli soldiers, Sudanese poets, Pakistani activists, Kurdish students, Arab Americans and many more representing different sects, social class, nationalities or religions. We strive to prove that despite all these differences we find ways to tolerate, support, and work with each other.
What do we mostly promote?
All authors on the site agree that constructive dialogue is key to progress and productivity. Intellectual and religious freedoms are the values that the site is built upon, and accepting our differences is the reason why we continue to grow as a powerful and tightly knit community.
See the Mission Statement for more on what we’re about and what we’re looking to change.
When was this started?
May of 2006, and it gradually grew to what it is today.
How do we manage all these projects?
We appoint at least two editors per project, depending on how large or small the project is. If the editors need or want anything, they collaborate with others in our group for technical services, advice, etc. That leaves the rest of us enough time to create other projects. With the constant growth of our membership we feel that we will never face a shortage of editors. If that happens, they are quickly replaced with those we feel meet the requirements for the position.
Who leads this group?
We lead ourselves. We don’t have professionals who lead or moderate us. As a matter of fact, we are just average young people with no real connections who felt the need to do something productive for their region. We wanted to do our own thing, lead our own projects, without asking for “permissions” or funding. We do what we want, however we want, and this is the reason why many of our projects are becoming more known and successful. We like to act quickly and efficiently, and that’s more than what many professional networks can say. We proved the fact that even the most average young people can do something as important as this and be able to achieve what at first seemed impossible. We don’t give up, that’s our only ingredient for success. No matter what the risks are, we accept it. Our work is more important.
Why is this mainly in English?
We speak English merely because it is our common spoken language. We love our local languages, and we do not want to replace them, we operate another blog in Arabic and one in French. But we also have a diverse group of writers whom we need to understand and vice versa, and we wouldn’t be able to do so without the use of a common language. In the case of our campaigns we offer various translations of important documents.
Do you have a question that isn’t answered here? contact us and ask. Want to get involved? Join us.
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