![Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib wears Palestinian thobe to swearing in ceremony [Instagram]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/s.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
![Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib wears Palestinian thobe to swearing next to first elected Native American Deb Haaland congresswoman [Instagram]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/a.png?w=804&h=536&ssl=1 "Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib wears Palestinian thobe to swearing next to first elected Native American Deb Haaland congresswoman [Instagram]")
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib wears Palestinian thobe to swearing next to first elected Native American Deb Haaland congresswoman [Instagram]
![Tunisian soprano Emire Dahile performs with Tunisian Symphony Orchestra during the first concert of 2019 in Tunis, Tunisia on 1 January 2019 [Nacer Talel/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/19-01-05-tunisia-orchestra20190101_2_34216320_40374329.jpg?w=388&h=259&ssl=1 "Tunisian Symphony Orchestra's first concert in 2019")
Tunisian soprano Emire Dahile performs with Tunisian Symphony Orchestra during the first concert of 2019 in Tunis, Tunisia on 1 January 2019 [Nacer Talel/Anadolu Agency]
![Turkey celebrating New Years Eve on 1 January 2019 [Evren Atalay/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/20181231_2_34205575_40351111.jpg?w=388&h=273&ssl=1 "New Year's Eve Celebrations in Izmir")
Turkey celebrating New Years Eve on 1 January 2019 [Evren Atalay/Anadolu Agency]
![People visit Christmas fair set up near Merkato Square prior to the Orthodox Christmas, in Addis Ababa on 2 January 2019. Ethiopia still uses the old Julian calendar so they annually celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7. [Minasse Wondimu Hailu/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/20190102_2_34225944_40390881.jpg?w=596&h=397&ssl=1 "Christmas preparations in Ethiopia")
People visit Christmas fair set up near Merkato Square prior to the Orthodox Christmas, in Addis Ababa on 2 January 2019. Ethiopia still uses the old Julian calendar so they annually celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7. [Minasse Wondimu Hailu/Anadolu Agency]
![A skydiver dressed as Santa Claus is captured in freefall above Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 20 December 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates [Skydive Dubai via Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/GettyImages-1085894356.jpg?w=596&h=397&ssl=1 "Skydiving Santa Claus")
A skydiver dressed as Santa Claus is captured in freefall above Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 20 December 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates [Skydive Dubai via Getty Images]