Society

Interview with Islam expert Felix Koerner

The Pope and the Muslims

Will Pope Francis still be travelling to Riyadh? What will be the outcome of his planned visit to Indonesia? How important is his friendship with Grand Sheikh al-Tayyeb? Interview with Islamic scholar Felix Koerner, five years after the Abu Dhabi document "on human fraternity"
By Christoph Strack
Women's rights in Saudi Arabia

Aisha al-Mana – the first woman to drive a car in Riyadh

When people talk about feminism in the Middle East, they usually mean women in Cairo, Beirut or Damascus. Saudi-Arabia, on the other hand, rarely gets a mention. Local activist Aisha al-Mana proved a trailblazer for women in the region
By Mohamad Alrabiuo
Migrant destination Europe

EU gatekeeper Morocco leverages its own interests

Morocco is intensifying its gatekeeper role in EU migration, stopping 87,000 migrants in 2023. Key to the deal is European acceptance of Morocco's claim to disputed Western Sahara
By Jennifer Holleis
Egypt's hundred-year-old whodunnit revisited

Murder in the brothel – Raya, Sakina and the 17 female corpses

A century ago, two sisters in the red-light district of Alexandria became icons of evil as serial killers. But did they really kill prostitutes for a few gold bracelets?
By Hannah El-Hitami
Germany's 'remigration' debate

Calls to ban far-right AfD

Far-right groups in Germany reportedly have a plan for the mass deportation of millions of citizens. Lawmakers from the far-right Alternative for Germany party are implicated
By Peter Hille
Promoting Jewish-Palestinian dialogue

"Agitators can't be allowed to dominate the debate"

Jouanna Hassoun and Shai Hoffmann talk to young people about the war in Gaza. The first step is to listen, says the Jewish-Palestinian duo
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Marriage, religion and love in Egypt

The long road to modernising marriage

American historian Kenneth M. Cuno talks to Qantara.de about the decline of polygamy in Egypt, the emergence of love when choosing a marriage partner, and what role Muhammad Abduh and Qasim Amin played in promoting new ideas about marriage and the family
By Mohamad Alrabiuo
750th anniversary of Rumi's death – Part 5

Iranians seek refuge in Rumi

For centuries, Rumi’s verses have been part of Persia’s spiritual heritage. In these uncertain times, Iranians are increasingly turning to the Sufi poet
By Marian Brehmer
Afghans expelled from Pakistan

Deportations damage the economy and the environment

The deportation of Afghan refugees is taking a massive toll on Pakistan's recycling and plastics industry, which relies heavily on Afghan labourers
By S. Khan
Jordan's natural heritage

Jordan's mission to save its ancient olive trees

Many of Jordan's olive trees are an integral part of the country's identity and culture. Having survived thousands of years, they are now under threat from a series of very modern phenomena
Pakistan after the mass departure of Afghans

Exodus of Afghans causes major headache for Pakistan's farms and mines

Skilled Afghan workers are in short supply in Pakistan as the country continues its clampdown on illegal migrants. Farmers and mine owners are now paying the price
By Jamila Achakzai
Gender roles in the Arab world

'The idea of male dominance is in crisis'

Extensive research by the Algerian sociologist Fatma Oussedik has revealed that ideas about family and gender roles in the North African country are undergoing major changes
By Claudia Mende