Society

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
America and the War on Terror

Guantanamo's "forever prisoners"

The notorious U.S. prison camp is 20 years old. Over the years, several plans to close it have been rejected. For the detainees, little has changed in the last two decades. Oliver Sallet reports from Guantanamo Bay
By Oliver Sallet
Tunisia's political future

Kais Saied's divisive online poll

Tunisia's first-ever digital survey on a new constitution is key to Tunisian President Kais Saied's path out of a political crisis. But as with Saied himself, reactions to the online innovation have been mixed. By Cathrin Schaer and Tarak Guizani
By Cathrin Schaer, Tarak Guizani
Political correctness in the Gulf

Qatar's textbook spring-clean

With World Cup 2022 around the corner, Qatar has embarked on a campaign to clean up its school system. Distracting from grievous shortcomings in other areas by highlighting a willingness to reform on "soft" issues remains a stubborn trend across the Islamic world. By James M. Dorsey
Iraq's Yazidi women

After tragedy, new freedoms and opportunities

Historically Iraq's Yazidi community was isolated, under-resourced and very conservative. Seven years after the "Islamic State" tragedy, the community is more open to the world – and Yazidi women are benefitting. By Cathrin Schaer
By Cathrin Schaer
COVID-19 pandemic in India

Enabling the rights of the child

COVID-19 has many negative impacts on children, particularly in terms of education and healthcare. Development projects in the Indian state of Assam show how actors can successfully support disadvantaged children in times of crisis. By Enakshi Dutta, Cynthia Dittmar and Franziska Muller
By Enakshi Dutta, Cynthia Dittmar, Franziska Müller