Society

Let's talk about sex, habibi!

Love and desire from Cairo to Casablanca

Berlin journalist Mohamed Amjahid writes humorously and very intimately about how people experience love and desire across North Africa. Melanie Christina Mohr read the book
By Melanie Christina Mohr
COP27 and the Middle East

Sinking Alexandria faces up to coming catastrophe

Alexandria, Egypt's fabled second city and its biggest port, is in danger of disappearing below the waves within decades.
Climate change and megacities

India's predicted urban boom

India is projected to see an explosion in its urban population in the coming decades, but its cities already cannot cope and climate change will make living conditions harsher still
Climate change and Middle East monuments

The most endangered on Earth

Thanks to climate change, the Middle East is heating up faster than any other part of the world, putting the region's ancient pyramids, castles, holy and other heritage sites at even greater risk. Cathrin Schaer reports
By Cathrin Schaer
Climate change in Egypt

Alexandria or the sea?

The next UN climate change conference will begin in Egypt this weekend. In Alexandria, the effects of climate change can already be seen. Karim El-Gawhary reports from the stricken coastal city
By Karim El-Gawhary
Mourning Mevlude Genc

A universal mother figure

A survivor of a neo-Nazi hate crime, Mevlude Genc's boundless compassion served as an inspiration to an entire generation. Sertan Sanderson explores how her death is a loss for Germany and Turkey
By Sertan Sanderson
COP27 and the Middle East

Millions at risk of climate displacement

In the run-up to the COP27 global climate summit, hosted by Egypt in November, it is worth noting that little rainfall, aggressive heatwaves and worsening drought make the Middle East the most water-stressed region in the world, with climate change threatening to displace millions of people
God's love for all

Sufism is not just Muslim

Sufism has fluid boundaries. Just like Islam, Sufism is inconceivable without its late antique roots. Then again, it has also exerted an influence on Hinduism. Moreover, the Sufic doctrine of divine love exists independently of Islam. By Stefan Weidner
By Stefan Weidner
"The Lionesses of Afghanistan"

No more 'white saviours', please

Journalist Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi was forced to flee Afghanistan with her family as a child and grew up in Germany. To mark the publication of her book "The Lionesses of Afghanistan", she spoke to Qantara.de about growing up between two cultures, her focus on Afghan women and the media's distorted view of the country. Interview by Schayan Riaz
By Schayan Riaz
Anti-coup protesters in Sudan

Still hoping for democracy

On the first anniversary of Sudan's military coup, the country remains stuck in a political stalemate. But, despite the increasingly difficult humanitarian situation, the population hasn't given up hope. Jennifer Holleis reports
By Jennifer Holleis
Afghan cyclists race to raise 'alarm' over women's plight

For Afghan refugee cyclist Masomah Ali Zada, it was a bittersweet moment. For the first time in five years, she took part in the Afghanistan Women's Cycling Championships on Sunday, but not in Kabul
Hindu nationalism abroad

Fighting religious polarisation among India's diaspora

Indian Americans from diverse faith backgrounds have peacefully co-existed stateside for several decades. But events in the U.S. – and violent confrontations between some Hindus and Muslims last month in Leicester, England – have heightened concerns that stark political and religious polarisation in India is seeping into the diaspora