Society

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 Kersten 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
Egypt – a human rights crisis

No more "quiet diplomacy"

For years, EU states have held back from criticising Egypt’s military regime for its human rights crimes. NGOs and a European parliamentary initiative are now seeking to change that, urging the UN Human Rights Council to act. By Sofian Philip Naceur
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Iran's zurkhaneh bodybuilders

Praying in the house of strength

In Iran, a centuries-old form of strength training that combines athletics and religious ritual is still practiced to this day. Reporting for Qantara.de, Marian Brehmer paid a visit to one of these ancient "houses of strength" in Shiraz
By Marian Brehmer
Afghanistan

A brief history of Afghan women's rights

For over a century, Afghanistan's rulers and ethnic groups have been arguing about what women should do and how they should be. Women haven't had much say. By Manasi Gopalakrishnan
By Manasi Gopalakrishnan