Christin El-Kholy
Online Editor
Christin El-Kholy is an Online Editor at New Lines Magazine. She is a writer and journalist from Scarborough, Toronto by way of Cairo, with a Master of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University and an Honors BA in English and Diaspora and Transnational Studies from the University of Toronto.
Latest from Christin El-Kholy
How a New York Monument Sparked a Lebanese Identity Dispute
A monument honoring New York’s “Little Syria” sparked a diplomatic dispute after Lebanon’s foreign minister objected to descriptions of famed diaspora writers like Kahlil Gibran as belonging to a broader “Syrian” literary tradition. The row exposed tensions over Lebanese national identity, diaspora history and the Arab world’s celebrated cultural figures.
The Religious and Cultural Symbolism of Iran’s State-Sponsored Mass Weddings
To many outside observers, the spectacle of Iran’s state-sponsored mass wedding appeared bizarre — an example of the Islamic Republic’s ideological theater and state propaganda. But the event reflects something more subtle and complicated about the way the state deliberately blurs the lines between everyday life, religious devotion and defense.
Drake, DJ Khaled and Palestine’s Authenticity Test
By invoking Palestine to criticize DJ Khaled, Drake unintentionally exposed more than celebrity hypocrisy. The moment also revealed how Palestine has become a public measure of authenticity, morality and credibility — often at the risk of eclipsing Palestinians themselves.
Egypt’s Family Law Reforms Expose the Limits of Sectarian Citizenship
Egypt’s new personal status reforms formalize a long-standing reality in Christian family law: Marriage, divorce and custody remain governed through church-based systems rather than a unified civil code. Critics say the move reinforces a sectarian model of citizenship.
Sisi’s UAE Visit Sparks Egyptian Fears of War Creep
Abdel Fatah el-Sisi’s unannounced UAE visit sparked online speculation after images of Egyptian jets and officers circulated widely. Critics framed it as evidence of deepening military alignment with Abu Dhabi, while others tied it to Egypt’s Gulf dependence and wider regional escalation risks.
Pakistani Nationals Allege Arbitrary Detention and Deportation From the UAE
Pakistani nationals, many of them Shiite, allege being arbitrarily detained and deported from the UAE amid deteriorating relations between the countries in the wake of the Iran war.
A Heritage Month Reveals the Limits of Arabs’ Acceptance in America
As National Arab American Heritage Month comes to an end, the question remains: What is the right way to react…
Suicide Prompts Egyptian Authorities To Take Firmer Measures Against Alimony Dodgers
Earlier this week I wrote about the death of Passant Soliman, who has drawn an outpouring of public sympathy since…
A Suicide Breaks Through the Silence
Passant Soliman was an Egyptian mother, blogger, model and law school graduate who ended her life while hundreds watched on her Facebook livestream. In a country where suicide is almost always shrouded in denial and moral condemnation, her death has sparked a wave of sympathy.
Egyptian Talk Show Host Crosses ‘Red Lines’ With Refugee Comments
On April 13, Egyptian TV viewers were treated to a rare sight: the humiliation of a top government apologist and…
Slopaganda Comes of Age
As we enter the realm of “slopaganda,” the use of AI-generated content for political propaganda, Trump’s base is now taking his memes both literally and seriously.
Syria’s President: Investment Is Needed For Refugees To Return From Europe
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa contradicted claims by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz last night, telling a London audience that he had…
As the Iran War Continues, Trump Loyalists Abandon the Supreme Leader
The resignation of Trump appointee Joe Kent over the Iran war reflects growing fault lines at the heart of the “America First” movement.
‘Those Who Wrap Themselves in America Are Naked’
A growing debate among Arab leaders and elites reflects deep divisions over the war with Iran, with some blaming the United States for dragging the region into conflict and others stressing the long-standing threat posed by Iran’s expansionism. Both groups agree that the region’s alliance with America is fraught.
Amid Death and Destruction, Palestine’s Baseball Dreams Survive
Mustafa Tafesh, a 21-year-old player for Gaza’s Palestine National Baseball Team, was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Despite such losses, the young team continues to compete internationally, carrying the dreams of Mustafa and the hope of a free Palestine.
Preserving Iraqi Memories Through Immersive Virtual Reality
The virtual reality “House of Memory” created by the artist Basil Al-Rawi takes viewers on a journey through photos and memories of Iraq’s past, allowing the diaspora to share personal stories and reclaim their cultural heritage.
The Hijab Obsession in Hollywood and High Fashion
Anya Taylor-Joy’s fashion choice at the “Dune: Part Two” world premiere shows that the veil is a symbol of glamor and mystique in Hollywood and high fashion, while, worlds away, it evokes poignant images of unimaginable suffering and loss — but also superheroic resilience.
If You’re a Woman, Society Takes a Sterner Attitude on Your Behavior
Women are constantly subjected to unwarranted advice about how to dress, how to sit, how to conduct ourselves when others are watching, or even in private—if such a space still exists in this day and age.
Pope Francis Apologizes to Canada’s Indigenous Peoples
As with the earlier apology from the Vatican, the majority of the criticism pointed to the words the pontiff chose to use—and those he didn’t. It was discouraging to see Pope Francis once again forgo the opportunity to assume responsibility not just for evil committed by individuals, but for the Catholic Church’s institutional support of the residential school policy.