Society

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
Yemen’s other war

Female politicians targeted on social media

With more than two hundred thousand followers on Facebook and about 54 thousand followers on Twitter, I am one of the most prominent Yemeni politicians on the ground and online. Yet not a day passes without me having to fight in the virtual world because I decided to have a voice. Activist Nora Al-Jarawi gives a personal account
By Nora Aljarwai
Qatar World Cup 2022

Fans: "Abolish sexual and gender identity penalties"

Unflattering terms were used at a German Football Association human rights congress aimed at "intensifying the discussion" ahead of the World Cup. One speaker in particular made waves with an impassioned personal plea. James Thorogood reports
By James Thorogood
Mental health and Islam

Bangladeshi mystic fights demons with psychiatry

Evil spirits bedevil the families that seek blessings from an elderly Sufi mystic – but he knows his prayers alone are not enough to soothe their troubled minds
Sufism in Morocco

A cure for extremism?

Morocco's Sufi traditions go back centuries. Now King Mohammed VI is trying to use them to combat extremism. His programme of reforms includes the promotion of Sufi movements and moderate Islamic thinkers. By Marian Brehmer
By Marian Brehmer
Press freedom in Egypt

Renewed crackdown threatens last independent news site

Egyptian authorities have Mada Masr in their sights once again after critical reporting. But the editor of the country's last independent news source is adamant they will continue their work. By Jennifer Holleis
By Jennifer Holleis
Women’s football in Morocco

Jump-starting women's football in the Arab world

The Women's Africa Cup this year in Morocco was a resounding success. The Moroccan team was the first Arab women's football team to qualify for a World Cup. By John Duerden
By John Duerden
Elizabeth II and the Muslims

"To be there for our fellow human-beings"

When she ascended the throne, millions of Muslims still lived under British rule. Later, Elizabeth II appealed for tolerance in a multi-religious society. She was the first British queen to visit a mosque
Islam in Pakistan

The land of the Sufis

No country in the Islamic world is influenced as strongly by the traditions of Sufi culture as Pakistan. Yet the Sufis there have been under attack from Islamic hardliners for years. By Marian Brehmer
By Marian Brehmer
Documentary "The Other Side of the River

Women's liberation in a war zone

The documentary "The Other Side of the River" shows how women in the Kurdish regions of northern Syria fight for their rights under the most difficult conditions. By Aviva Freudmann
By Aviva Freudmann
Climate change in the MENA

Will North Africa's beaches disappear?

The southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea are losing sand faster than almost anywhere else. The ecological and economic damage is immense. The good news is, there are ways to cope. By Cathrin Schaer and Tarak Guizani
By Cathrin Schaer