Society

Syrians and the Ukraine war

"We share a similar suffering"

Syrian opposition activists say they know what it's like to go up against the Russian military. Some experts think things may have turned out differently in Ukraine if the West had stood up to the Kremlin over Syria. By Diana Hodali
By Diana Hodali
Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon

Sentenced for a selfie: police target LGBTQ+ phones

An in-depth study of court files has found that police forces in Tunisia, Egypt, and Lebanon are increasingly relying on digital tools to identify, entrap and prosecute LGBTQ+ people – thus "intensifying anti-queer surveillance". The study reveals the extent that the safety of LGBQT+ people in the Middle East can be compromised by their digital footprint
Muslims in the West

Can democracy tolerate Muslims at all?

"Muslimaniac" is what political scientist Ozan Zakariya Keskinkilic calls Western society's invention of Muslims as a problem: a shimmering term that mixes social construction and obsession with the passionate, ironic spirit of breaking free from stereotypes. Brilliantly and bitingly, he writes about consistent alienation and paves the way towards rapprochement. Interview by Schayan Riaz
By Schayan Riaz
Ukraine conflict

Israelis, Arabs, Iranians in harrowing exodus from Ukraine

Israelis, Arabs and Iranians are landing back in their home countries to the tearful relief of relatives, as evacuations of nationals caught up in the Russian invasion of Ukraine gather pace. The Middle Eastern evacuees have been forced to make harrowing escapes through the war zone to board repatriation flights in neighbouring countries, after Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian traffic at the start of the invasion.
Saudi Arabia's detainees

Speak your mind – face the consequences

Family and activists hope that Raif Badawi will be released soon. However, the well-known blogger is not the only activist behind bars for expressing dissenting views. By Kerstin Knipp
By Kerstin Knipp
Afghanistan

'My heart and body shake': Afghan women defy Taliban

Over the past six months, a network of dozens of Afghan women – former students, teachers, NGO workers, as well as housewives – has grown up, working in secret to organise protests against the Taliban. Challenging the new authorities may cost them everything: four of their comrades have already been seized. But those that remain are determined to battle on
Islam and tolerance

Albania's Bektashi Muslims

In Albania, where most Muslims live a pretty secular life, it would seem that praying and drinking go hand-in-hand. Nevertheless, over a hundred Albanians still went to fight for Islamic State. By Karin A. Wenger with photos by Philipp Breu
By Karin A. Wenger & Philipp Breu
Lebanese thinker Martin Accad

"Lebanon's tragedy is political sectarianism"

With no end to Lebanon's crisis of statehood in sight, Qantara.de met up with leading Lebanese thinker and theologian Martin Accad to discuss the country's current difficulties and explore ongoing efforts to find a way out of the morass. Interview by Erik Siegl
By Erik Siegl
Russia in Syria

Strikes on Idlib water supply and farms war crimes?

Rights groups have said the suspected Russian bombing of pumping stations and chicken farms in Idlib, one of Syria's last rebel-held areas, is meant to push out displaced locals. It may have been a war crime. Cathrin Schaer reports
By Cathrin Schaer
Islamic mysticism

A flute like the breath of God

Music and rhythm have always played a substantial role in Islamic mysticism. Sufis clap, drum, breathe or rock in time with the music. It is their way of trying to overcome their egos and thereby bring themselves closer to God. By Julia Ley
By Julia Ley
Saudi Arabia's urban development

The Crown Prince's bulldozers

Entire neighbourhoods in the Saudi coastal metropolis of Jeddah are being razed to the ground. Tens of thousands of people are losing their homes. With a marina and Saudi Arabia's first opera house, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hopes to create a global urban brand worthy of Dubai or Singapore. By Jannis Hagmann
By Jannis Hagmann
Women in Egypt

Ongoing crackdown stokes solidarity

Persecution, prosecution and public shaming have led to a new wave of solidarity among women in Egypt. Could this kind of grassroots movement gain enough power to change the difficult situation on the ground? By Jennifer Holleis
By Jennifer Holleis