Society

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
Iranian lawyer appeals for solidarity

"Iranian women need the world's help"

Mahsa Amini’s crime, which led to her death at the hands of Iran’s morality police, was wearing the hijab incorrectly. A legal expert from inside Iran, who prefers to remain anonymous, explains the political dimensions of this special piece of cloth to Ehsan Hosseinzadeh
By Ehsan Hosseinzadeh
Interfaith cooperation and integration

Germany’s first Christian-Muslim kindergarten

Despite early learning being linked to better chances in later life, Muslim parents in Germany are currently less likely to send their kids to kindergarten. A pioneering interfaith project in Gifhorn presents an appealing alternative, promoting integration in partnership with local church and state actors. Arndt-Walter Emmerich reports
By Arndt-Walter Emmerich
Women in Syria

Syria’s increasingly female job market

As a consequence of the 11-year war, twice as many women are now in paid jobs in Syria as before. Their employment is driven by courage and the need to feed their families. By Jennifer Holleis and Omar Albam
By Jennifer Holleis, Omar Albam
Confessions of an ex-jihadist

What makes someone a jihadist?

Charting his own descent into extremism, former Moroccan jihadist Adil El Hasani reveals how he was ultimately able to extricate himself from the grasp of those peddling religious illusions. Mohamed Taifouri read the book
By Mohamed Taifouri
Iran protests 2022

Tehran's Berlin Wall moment?

Iran may use the Islamic veil as a tool of oppression, but the hijab is also the weakest pillar of an embattled regime trying to forestall its own "Berlin Wall" moment, says Masih Alinejad
Gender rights in the Gulf

UAE ups the ante on LGBTQ community

Queers have so far managed to live in the Gulf state by keeping a low profile. But UAE’s new crackdown on the LGBTQ community might change that, writes Jennifer Holleis
By Jennifer Holleis
Iran protests

"Change that goes beyond the moment"

The protests in Iran have entered their third week with no indication that Tehran is prepared to address the demands that are echoing through the streets. Radio Farda’s Hannah Kaviani spoke to Erik Siegl for Qantara.de
By Erik Siegl
Hadis, Minoo and Ghazaleh

The women victims of Iran's crackdown

"I am really hoping that in some years from now, after everything has changed, I will be happy to have been involved by taking part in this protest," Iranian woman Hadis Najafi, 22, said in a self-recorded video as she prepared to take to the streets
Africa, not the EU

Tunisia's brain drain

Tunisia's economic and political instability and the increasing reluctance of Europe to take in job-seeking migrants is leading many Tunisians to head for sub-Saharan Africa in the hope of building a better life for themselves and their families. Tarak Guizani reports
By Tarak Guizani
Golineh Atai's unsung heroines

In Iran, freedom is female

In "Iran. Die Freiheit ist weiblich", journalist Golineh Atai describes the dogged resistance of courageous Iranian women against the Islamic Republic and the mullahs who have ruled Iran for more than 40 years. Claudia Mende read the book for Qantara.de
By Claudia Mende