Society

Archaeology in Iraq

Drought reveals Bronze Age city

Extreme drought in Iraq has given German and Kurdish archaeologists the unique chance to examine an ancient Bronze Age city that was hidden beneath the water of a reservoir for decades. Experts believe the ruins could be those of the ancient city of Zachiku. It was a race against the clock to complete work before the city was once again covered by the reservoir's rising water level. By Alexander Freund
By Alexander Freund
Middle East conflict

Shoah and Nakba – two interlinked catastrophes

Asked about the Shoah, Palestinians often bring up the Nakba, the displacement of Palestinians associated with the founding of the state of Israel. An Israeli Holocaust researcher and a Palestinian political scientist have developed a concept aimed at promoting dialogue about these two interlinked national traumas. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Matchmaking among Indians

Why do Indian expats in Europe still seek an arranged marriage?

Arranged marriages have been the norm in India for centuries. Now online dating sites, the "marriage market" and changing social norms have seen matchmaking services evolve – especially for Indian expats in Europe. By Shabnam Surita
By Shabnam Surita
The Sufi Trail

Anatolia through the eyes of a pilgrim

The Sufi Trail is a long-distance hiking route from Istanbul to Konya that seeks to revive the ancient tracks used by foot pilgrims on their way to Mecca. Marian Brehmer spoke to the trail's founder and hiking route developer Sedat Cakir
By Marian Brehmer
Environmental jihad

Can "green Islam" save Indonesia from climate collapse?

Calls for an environmentally-conscious form of Islam are growing in Indonesia, as climate change poses enormous ecological challenges for the country. Experts say it could change society's approach to climate efforts. Enno Hinz reports
By Enno Hinz
MENA region and renewables

Solar energy – a golden opportunity

The war in Ukraine is likely to change the energy market in the Middle East and North Africa – in favour of solar energy. While the region is still punching way below its potential, some countries are making progress. By Kerstin Knipp and Cathrin Schaer
By Cathrin Schaer, Kersten Knipp
Hajj pilgrimage

Egypt family keeps alive kiswah tradition

Under the steady hum of a ceiling fan, Ahmed Othman weaves golden threads through black fabric, creating Koranic verses, a century after his grandfather's work adorned the Kaaba in Mecca's Grand Mosque. A ceremonial hanging of the kiswah over the cubic structure symbolises the launch of the hajj annual pilgrimage
Baggage of despair

Iraqi Kurd plans new escape to Europe

Iraqi Kurd Haresh Talib says he struggles to get paid and his children's schooling is disrupted in his conflict-riddled country, so he wants to try to flee with his family to Europe – again. "There is no future here," says the 36-year-old from the autonomous Kurdistan region in Iraq's north
Femicide in Egypt

"If you say no, you'll be in trouble"

The murder of a female student at Mansoura University in the Nile Delta has sparked a long overdue debate on femicide in Egypt. Karim El-Gawhary reports from Cairo
By Karim El-Gawhary
Middle East

How cybercrime laws are used to silence dissent

Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are among those countries increasingly misusing cybercrime legislation to silence dissent and curb freedom of speech. Could a new global cybercrime framework under UN supervision save regime critics? Jennifer Holleis reports
By Jennifer Holleis
LGBTQ+ Pride

Being queer and Arab

As Pride Month draws to a close, Richard Marcus delves into Saqi Books’ latest publication, "This Arab is Queer". Edited by Elias Jahshan, this anthology of essays is remarkable for its honesty in addressing what is still a dangerous and controversial subject in many of the writers’ countries of origin
By Richard Marcus
Europe’s contempt for refugees' human rights

Draconian punishments for boat people

At the EU's outer borders, the right of migrants to a fair asylum procedure continues to be systematically disregarded. Take Greece, for example: in the worst case scenario, those shipwrecked may even face a lengthy prison sentence. Alexandra Senfft reports for Qantara.de from Syros
By Alexandra Senfft