Photo Essays

This is a taxi ride like no other: Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi made "Taxi" on a shoestring budget. It not only offers a unique and humorous insight into life in Tehran, but also makes a bold political statement. To mark the film's general release in Germany, Qantara.de brings you a series of photos relating to the film and some stills

A mere 70 years ago, the nomadic peoples of the Cholistan Desert still wandered between Rajasthan in India and the Punjab in Pakistan. But after the founding of the state of Pakistan, their freedom to move around was increasingly restricted. Over time, their traditional lifestyle has changed. Photos by Usman Mahar

Life is anything but easy for "hijras" (transgender people) in Pakistan, where men dressed in women's clothes are still considered an affront. Hijras identify themselves as third gender individuals. Photographers Muhammed Muheisen and Shakil Adils' photographs provide a fascinating insight into their everyday lives. By Monika Griebeler

Qatar is considered to be one of the richest countries in the world and will be playing host to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The sporting grounds and stadiums are being constructed by an army of workers from South-East Asia – often under catastrophic working and living conditions.

Far away from Pakistan's motorways and cities, there are regions of the country where centuries-old forts, imposing shrines and natural attractions – largely unknown to most travellers - are just waiting to be discovered. Julis Koch takes us on a photographic trip through Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan

The ancient ruins of Palmyra are remnants of a bygone golden era. For several days now, the ruins have been controlled by the militias of Islamic State. UNESCO has warned that the World Heritage site is now at risk of being destroyed.

Boats carrying more than 1,600 Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants arrived off the coasts of Indonesia and Malaysia last week after human traffickers reportedly dumped the boats in shallow waters. Others have entered Thailand's territorial waters. Some refugees were able to land; others have been towed back out to sea in their boats. All three countries have stated that they view the refugees as illegal migrants and have said they would provide food and water for them but not safe harbour. In this photo gallery, we take a look at the refugees' ordeal.

On the Turkish side of the Armenian–Turkish border in the province of Kars lies the spectacular medieval city of Ani. Although no longer on their territory, the deserted city is regarded by Armenians as an essential part of their national heritage and identity. Filip Warwick visited the abandoned city and documented what is left of it

For so many people, the River Nile is a source of life and income. It passes through no less than 11 countries on its way to the Mediterranean. From 16 April to 27 May 2015, the Goethe-Institut in Dessau, Germany, is hosting an exhibition of the works of three young photographers depicting life on the banks of the Nile River in Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. The works are divided into three sections: "A day in the life of a Rosetta family" by Mahmoud Yakut, "Lab of creation" by Elsadig Mohamed Ahmed and "Lessons of humility by the Blue Nile" by Brook Zerai Mengistu

The book "Walls of Freedom" presents readers with images of the street art of the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. The English-language photo book is published by the activist and street artist Don Karl (aka Stone). In Egypt, the work has fallen victim to censorship. Wafah Al-Badri offers his impressions of "Walls of Freedom"