In 2025, Libya’s creative community faces unprecedented restrictions as authorities in the East and West impose strict controls over music, theater, and visual arts. Rap concerts are canceled, festivals shut down, and galleries closed, while bloggers and artists face surveillance, threats, and arbitrary detention. Human rights groups warn that these measures are driving self-censorship, exile, and the suppression of Libya’s vibrant cultural expression, raising urgent concerns about freedom of expression.
A young singer in Tangier faced legal consequences after his Eid al-Fitr performance went viral, drawing criticism for content viewed as inappropriate for minors. The Tangier Court of First Instance imposed a suspended prison sentence and a fine. The case demonstrates how social media and local public-morals laws intersect with neighborhood celebrations in Morocco.
In 2025, Tunisian artists, cultural organizations, and independent media face mounting pressure from administrative suspensions, audits, and legal scrutiny. Dream City 2025 continued its program, but the broader arts ecosystem experiences self-censorship, interrupted projects, and heightened risk. Independent media collective Nawaat illustrates the intersection of artistic, journalistic, and civic freedoms under threat in Tunisia today.
Moroccan rapper Hamza Raid became a central figure in the Gen Z protests that swept Morocco in September 2025, demanding education and healthcare reforms. Raid was detained and charged with unauthorized assembly and incitement to protest, drawing wide attention from youth and rights groups. His case highlights the risks artist-activists face and Morocco's tense climate for artistic freedom while authorities pledge order and due process.
Visa For Music 2025 returns to Rabat, Morocco, from November 19–22, celebrating its 12th edition as a premier music market and festival for Africa and the Middle East. Over four days, artists, producers, and industry professionals will connect through live showcases, electro-night performances, and professional forums, fostering collaboration, discovery, and innovation while spotlighting underrepresented talent on a global stage.
Morocco’s Gen Z protests, ignited on September 27, 2025, have become the country’s largest youth-led uprising since the Arab Spring. Sparked by deaths linked to hospital failures, thousands have taken to the streets demanding healthcare, education, and job reforms. Facing violent crackdowns and arrests, young Moroccans are joined by artists and activists, turning creativity into resistance and calling for a new social contract.
Mohamed Tadjadit, known as “the poet of the Hirak,” became a symbol of Algeria’s 2019 pro-democracy movement. From the Casbah of Algiers, his poetry in darija reached millions, echoing calls for dignity and justice. Yet his words have come at a cost—censorship, arrests, and harassment by authorities. This article explores Tadjadit’s story, the repression of artistic freedom, and what it reveals about free expression in today’s Algeria.
By Khalid Albaih
Sudanese artist and political cartoonist Khalid Albaih, known as “Khartoon,” merges art and activism to challenge injustice and amplify silenced voices. From his 2025 exhibition Refresh at Kunstnernes Hus to digital platforms like KhartoonMag.com, Albaih turns creative expression into resistance. His installations Shahid and Bahar confront global indifference to conflict and displacement, redefining what it means to witness through art in a connected yet divided world.
Visa For Music (VFM), the premier platform for African and Middle Eastern music, invites professionals to contribute to its 2025 Professional Forum in Rabat, Morocco, from November 19–22. Hosted by ANYA Culture, the forum features showcases, panels, and networking opportunities. Submit proposals for conferences, workshops, or masterclasses by May 25, 2025. Engage with 20,000+ attendees, share expertise, and empower underrepresented music communities
Hoba Hoba Spirit's Rabat concert was indefinitely postponed after backlash from AS FAR football club supporters over frontman Reda Allali’s critical comments. The incident reveals Morocco’s ongoing struggle between artistic freedom and institutional sensitivities. As fans demand accountability, the postponement underscores how cultural expression remains entangled with political red lines—especially when the military or national identity is involved.
The January 2025 arrest of journalist Ahmed Serag, following an interview with the wife of jailed cartoonist Ashraf Omar, has drawn sharp criticism from press freedom advocates. Charged with terrorism-related offenses after highlighting human rights abuses, Serag’s case exemplifies Egypt’s escalating crackdown on dissenting voices and independent journalism under President al-Sisi’s regime
Egyptian-Turkish poet Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi was deported from Lebanon to the UAE in early 2025, despite urgent warnings from human rights groups. Known for his politically charged poetry, Al-Qaradawi now faces potential torture and enforced disappearance. His case underscores growing regional threats to artistic freedom and expression, and raises serious questions about Lebanon’s role in enabling cross-border censorship.
EGYPT: The unexpected cancellation of Istinsakh’s private screening on April 7, 2025, has stirred major controversy in Egypt’s film industry. The sci-fi thriller, which tackles the societal impacts of artificial intelligence, was set to premiere publicly on April 9. While officials blame administrative delays, many suspect censorship, reigniting broader concerns about artistic freedom in Egypt's entertainment landscape. As of April 10, 2025, Istinsakh has yet to be release
EGYPT: Dr. Mabrouk Attia, a retired professor from Al-Azhar University, faces an investigation following controversial content in his Ramadan program on social media, "Kalam Mabrouk." The university's referral comes amid backlash for Attia’s discussions with Mahraganat singers and provocative statements on social issues. This marks the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the scholar, raising questions about Egypt’s approach to freedom of expression, the regulation of religious discourse, and the role of social media in public life.
In February 2025, Moroccan artist Khadija Tanana became the latest target of state censorship when her artwork, Hand of Fatima, was forcibly removed from the Tetouan Centre of Modern Art.
Arrested in 2018 for criticizing corruption, Egyptian poet Galal El-Behairy has endured torture, harsh prison conditions, and prolonged detention. His case exemplifies Egypt’s escalating crackdown on artistic freedom.
In Tunisia, artists face growing harassment and censorship, yet they continue to reclaim public spaces through creative expression. Ballet dancer Nesrine Ben Arbia performs in historic locations, resisting conservative pressures. Despite threats from extremist groups and restrictive laws, artists persist in challenging societal norms. Initiatives like Street Art in Médenine and the Dream City Festival highlight art’s power to inspire change in Tunisia’s evolving political landscape.
The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) has condemned the General Egyptian Book Organization’s (GEBO) decision to bar ElMaraya for Culture and Arts from participating in the 2025 Cairo International Book Fair without providing any explanation