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Zena Chamas
Zena Chamas is a journalist with the ABC's Asia Pacific Newsroom. You can follow her on Twitter: @chamas_zena
Latest by Zena Chamas
Government grants hundreds of temporary visas to Palestinians
The Australian government has granted hundreds of temporary visas to Palestinians in the weeks since Israel began its bombing campaign of Gaza, which has killed thousands of civilians and flattened large swathes of the densely populated strip.
'I'll come every single day': Uncle Ihab has stood outside Parliament for 12 hours every day of the Israel-Gaza war
During the past six weeks, protests have been gaining momentum with a growing number of activists camping out and staging hunger strikes to end the bloodshed in the Israel-Gaza war.
'Treat us like we matter': Palestinian communities struggle to be heard amid rising death toll in Gaza
Palestinians living in Australia mourn the death of loved ones in Gaza while dealing with survivor's guilt, while some warn of a looming mental health crisis.
What it's like to live inside Gaza right now, where food, clean water and safety are not guaranteed
Amid shortages of food, water and fuel, Gaza residents worry about what is to come as neighbourhoods are reduced to rubble and dead bodies keep piling up.
Lacey-Jade will no longer use AI beauty filters because they cause harm. Many of her Instagram followers agree
There are questionable processes behind some popular social media filters says one AI expert. And that's just one of the filters' many problems.
Meet the religious leaders teaming up to fight climate change
Faith leaders from different religions and denominations are coming together to share a strong message about climate change.
Aisha used to get called 'Osama bin Laden's wife'. She shares what it's like to wear a face covering in Australia
For those who follow Islam, wearing a hijab is prescribed for women from puberty. But some women have complicated relationships with the head covering.
These comedians have made careers based on joking about their religion. But they're not always having fun
These comedians are using humour to consider the tenets of their faith and break down damaging stereotypes. But it's not always an easy gig.
Racist stereotypes, mandated donations and the dangers of greed: Wealth and the three major religions
Major religions have a lot to say about wealth, but can you be truly religious at the same time? Christians, Muslims and Jews have differing views.
Satara left the church during the pandemic. Now she's a 'hopeful agnostic'
Since the pandemic began, Australians are having more spiritual conversations and thinking about mortality more often. So why do many of us consider ourselves not religious?
'Bringing people to tears shows how human they are': Why millions weep at this massive pilgrimage
Each year, millions of Shiite Muslims flock to Karbala in Iraq to mourn Imam Hussein. So what does Ashura mean to them?
Working Muslim mums say the hardest part of Ramadan fasting isn't the lack of food
From trying to eat enough calories during pre-dawn meals to maintaining a work-life balance while fasting, this is what Ramadan is like for many busy working Muslim mums.
There's a second Chinese balloon floating over Latin America. Here's what we know
What is known about these surveillance balloons, and what could happen given recent tensions between the US and China?
The Taliban's return to power dealt a big blow to women's rights. Here's what it's like to live in Afghanistan now
For many people living in Afghanistan, life is a daily struggle. There's no work and minorities like Fatima and her family live in fear.
China says COVID-19 restrictions on travellers 'unnecessary' as more than a dozen countries impose curbs
China says COVID-19 travel regulations slapped on it by about a dozen countries are unnecessary and need to be "proportionate".
Drishti says it's 'not enough to not be racist'. She was harassed by her boss for being the only woman of colour
Despite support for diversity and multiculturalism increasing, a significant number of people in Australia still report experiencing discrimination, based on their skin colour, ethnic origin or religion.
Indonesia has passed laws banning sex outside marriage. Here's a breakdown of the new laws and what effect they may have
For decades, Indonesia has been trying to reform its colonial-era penal code, and, along with a ban on unmarried couples having sex, a raft of changes are coming. We take a look at what is changing and what it might mean for the millions of tourists travelling there.
As the Greek kid, Maria was accused of bringing a head lice outbreak to school. Now she's working to curb racism
Recipients of 2022 Victorian Multicultural Awards say advocating for the interests of culturally and linguistically diverse communities is personal — and more work needs to be done.
'She would hit her head': Rahima's parents betrothed her to relieve financial stress as Afghanistan's economic crisis worsens
Experts are warning that Afghanistan is on the brink of a mental health catastrophe as the country's economic crisis and decades of conflict take a dangerous toll on children and teens' mental wellbeing.
Iranian Australians join in condemning Iran after it defends morality police over Mahsa Amini death
The death in custody of Mahsa Amini is condemned nationwide, online and internationally and driving ongoing protests against the morality police and hardline interpretations of sharia law.
Annas was fed up by the silence of mosque leaders after a man took his life. He decided to speak out
As we celebrate Father's Day across the country, the lesser-talked-about issue of men's mental health is slowly being confronted in the Muslim community.
Victoria's free kindergarten pledge may throw a spanner in the works for staff and educators
Concerns are growing over the Victorian government’s free kinder pledge, with many kindergartens saying changes could force skilled staff out of the workforce.
Police hunt for gunman after road shooting leaves man fighting for his life in hospital
Police are on the trail of a gunman and accomplice who shot a man several times as he left a funeral at Fawkner cemetery in Melbourne's north, before crashing their vehicle into a fire hydrant and carjacking another to escape the scene.
The dark history of the guerrilla group of which Colombia's new president was once a member
Colombia's new President, Gustavo Petro, was once a member of M-19 — a wild rebel group that stole the Sword of Simon Bolivar and is rumoured to have worked with and against Pablo Escobar.
Fifth Australian Monkeypox case confirmed in Victoria
Victoria records its second case of Monkeypox in a returned overseas traveller who visited Europe.