Society

Pakistan

Climate crisis impacts Pakistani cotton industry

Pakistan is one of the world’s five major cotton-growing countries. Production has, however, been dwindling in recent years. Global warming is one of the reasons. Experts are currently working on how to rise to the challenges. Imran Mukhtar reports
By Imran Mukhtar
Tourism in North Africa

Tentative recovery, or too little, too late?

Tourists have been returning to Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco. But, given the global uncertainty caused by the Ukraine war, will the comeback be enough to save a struggling sector, revive lost jobs and avoid unrest? Cathrin Schaer and Mohammed Magdy report
By Cathrin Schaer, Mohammed Magdy
The Pikala Bikes initiative in Morocco

More mobility, more confidence, more freedom

In Morocco, the bicycle is considered a poor man's means of transport. What's more, cycling tends to be a male-only affair. The Pikala bike initiative in Marrakesh seeks to change all this. By Marian Brehmer
By Marian Brehmer
Rizwaan Sabir's "The Suspect"

Muslims post-9/11 subject to blanket targeting

"The Suspect" by criminology lecturer Rizwaan Sabir is the harrowing account of the author's own experiences at the hands of the UK's counterintelligence agencies. At the same time, the book is a carefully researched analysis of how the Muslim community was targeted by those supposedly working to protect society. Richard Marcus read the book
By Richard Marcus
Health and ageing

Middle East and North Africa unprepared for coming dementia epidemic

By 2050, the Middle East and North Africa could be dealing with many more elderly people suffering from dementia. A lack of facilities, specialists and local knowledge means the region is woefully underprepared. By Cathrin Schaer, Tarak Guizani and Mohammed Magdy
By Cathrin Schaer, Tarak Guizani
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