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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Rahimi, played by Zar Amir-Ebrahimi, looks into the distance. She wears a black headscarf.

‘Holy Spider’ is a striking work of Iranian social commentary

"Holy Spider” opened at the IFC Center on Friday, Oct. 27.
Yezen Saadah, Staff Writer October 31, 2022

Iranian Danish filmmaker Ali Abbasi's latest film, “Holy Spider,” is the most unrelenting, pragmatic and cynical film of the year. There is no denying the film’s shockingly...

A crowd of protesters standing in Washington Square Park at night. In the center front is a woman dressed in black with her eyes closed and hand raised.

Keeping Iranian culture alive at NYU amid protests

Members of NYU’s Iranian community emphasize the importance of preserving their roots and speaking out against injustice.
Roksaneh Salartash, Contributing Writer October 24, 2022

Iran, a country in the Middle East with a rich history and vibrant culture, is defined by its welcoming people and love of the arts. We were raised through the poetry of Hafez...

A large group of people sit on the large staircase inside the lobby of New York University’s Kimmel Center for University Life, with one person in the front row holding a sign with text “WOMAN LIFE FREEDOM” printed on it.

Students demand more from Hamilton on Iran demonstrations

Members of the Persian Cultural Society urged NYU to do more to recognize the human rights demonstrations in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini on Oct. 12.
Yezen Saadah, Staff Writer October 14, 2022

More than 100 NYU students gathered in the Kimmel Center for University Life on Wednesday, to honor Mahsa Amini — a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody in Iran — and...

A crowd of protesters standing under Washington Square Arch holding the Iranian flag and signs with a person holding a wood stick with a strand of black hair hanging by the end of it.

Opinion: NYU should speak up about the violence in Iran

As an institution that prides itself in global diversity, NYU should be actively supporting Iranian women and students.
Molly Koch, Contributing Writer October 3, 2022

NYU prides itself on its diversity. The class of 2026 represents 107 countries — five more than the previous year. When a major crisis happens in one of those countries, then,...

A pair of scissors and a string of black hair sit against white tiles.

Guest Essay: This isn’t the first time Iran has violated human rights.

The Islamic Republic’s current media blackout can’t hide the human rights violations that the Iranian people have endured for 43 years.
Nicky Kashani, Guest Writer September 29, 2022

As an Iranian raised in Tehran and now a graduate student living abroad, I consider myself fortunate to be able to share my thoughts and feelings about my country and raise awareness...

The Soapbox is a weekly news column rounding up stories worth reading for a global university. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

The Soapbox: Russian escalation, protests in Iran and Fiona’s fallout

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN’s news desk analyzing major developments in world news and rounding up the stories we think are worth the read this week. Global consciousness for a global university.
Tori Morales, Deputy News Editor September 23, 2022

In Russia, mobilization and referendums change the game Russian officials in four occupied Ukrainian regions announced plans on Sept. 20 to hold referendums on annexation to Russia....

“Ballad of a White Cow,” co-directed by Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghaddam, is a 2020 Iranian drama film. This film follows Mina (Maryam Moghaddam) as she uncovers the bureaucracy of a repressive state. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Review: “Ballad of a White Cow”

Co-directed by Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghaddam, “Ballad of a White Cow” offers a bleak, moral unraveling centering around the carceral state.
Elizabeth Crawford, Contributing Writer July 21, 2021

What do a prison, a dairy plant, and a deaf girl have in common? In “Ballad of a White Cow,” it is the formation of a permanent underclass — symbols of a seldom-seen Iran. The...

Don’t Forget About Iraqi Women When War Occurs

Don’t Forget About Iraqi Women When War Occurs

Recent tensions sparked between the United States and Iran will threaten the mental and physical state of Iraqi women and girls.
Gabby Lozano, Deputy Opinion Editor January 29, 2020

Since the 1980s, the United States has continued to meddle in Iraq and Iran. The constant invasions, coup d’etats and forced instillations of Western principles of government...

Iran has a long poor history of restricting women's access to soccer. Now FIFA requested the Iranian Football Federation to allow women buy tickets for World Cup qualifiers. (via Wikimedia Commons)

Iran’s Sexist Soccer History

For the first time in almost 40 years, Iran has announced that it will let women enter soccer stadiums. We look back at Iran’s history of discrimination against female soccer fans.
Danial Hashemi, Staff Writer October 6, 2019

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced at a conference last month that for the first time in almost 40 years, Iran will allow women to attend soccer games. Iran’s next game...

The movie poster for 3 Faces. (via Jafar Panahi Film Production)

In ‘3 Faces,’ a Quietly Radical Portrait of Iran

“3 Faces” is a quiet, charming look at a not-so-quiet, not-so-charming patriarchal social system.
Elizabeth Crawford, Staff Writer March 12, 2019

“3 Faces” begins with a girl’s iPhone confessional — her voice is shaking, as is her grip. Aspiring actress Marziyeh Rezaei (playing herself) has been accepted to the drama...

A poster for Tehran Taboo, a film by Ali Soozandeh.

‘Tehran Taboo’ Is a Minor Masterpiece

Tristen Calderon, Staff Writer February 13, 2018
“Tehran Taboo,” an Austrian-German animated film by Ali Soozandeh, moves through the interwoven lives of three women in Tehran, Iran, each desperately trying to make a future from complicated romantic or sexual circumstances.
The Salesman opened in New York on Friday the 27th of January.

Nominated for an Oscar, Banned from Ceremony

Bradley Alsop, Staff Writer January 30, 2017
With the advent of President Trump's executive order halting arrivals of people from several Muslim-majority countries, Oscar-nominated director Asghar Farhadi is refusing to attend the Oscars ceremony, despite his film "The Salesman" being nominated for an award.