Society

Coronavirus and the kafala system

Gulf migrant workers fear for their post-pandemic future

Between draconian migration laws and the continuing lockdowns, migrant workers in the Gulf were already facing increasing uncertainty. Now, keen to offload any duty of care, host countries are scrambling to repatriate as many as possible. Rabiya Jaffery reports
By Rabiya Jaffery
COVID-19 pandemic

Coronavirus and the face masks made in Gaza

The corona crisis has led to an upswing for the Palestinian textile industry, but has done little to relieve the dire straits in the territories. Without international support, Gaza and the West Bank will not be able to get back on their feet economically. Inge Gunther reports from Jerusalem
By Inge Günther
Syrian refugees in Lebanon

More scared of starving than of coronavirus

With social distancing impossible in tents, a coronavirus outbreak in one of Lebanon's Syrian refugee camps would quickly turn catastrophic. Yet, many Syrians have more existential fears than those posed by the virus. Diana Hodali reports
By Diana Hodali
Interview with Islam scholar Mathias Rohe

Coronavirus prompts German discussion on the call to prayer

A muezzin call to prayer via loudspeaker is legally permissible in principle, but various basic rights and interests must be considered, explains professor of law Mathias Rohe in conversation with Judith Kubitscheck
By Judith Kubitscheck
Women's rights in the Islamic world

Arab Christian women take a stand against church paternalism

Churches in the Middle East – Coptic, Eastern Orthodox, Maronite – typically share the conservative values of their Islamic surroundings. Yet the resistance of Arab Christian women to church paternalism is growing. Claudia Mende reports
By Claudia Mende
COVID-19 in Southeast Asia

Coronavirus and Pakistan's wayward clerics

The fact that Pakistani politicians are closing their eyes to the machinations of religious forces during the corona crisis is the result of decades of a policy of appeasement towards the clerics, says Mohammad Luqman
By Mohammad Luqman
Coronavirus and press freedom in Turkey

Erdogan's crusade against "all media and political viruses"

Is the Turkish president Erdogan using the fight against coronavirus to silence the few remaining critical press voices in the country? Opposition and journalists fear a new wave of censorship. By Daniel Derya Bellut
By Daniel Derya Bellut
COVID-19 pandemic

Coronavirus breeds domestic violence in Turkey

Countries under coronavirus lockdown have seen a marked rise in domestic violence. Women's rights activists in Turkey criticise that existing laws are not being applied and the government is not doing enough to protect victims. By Pelin Unker and Daniel Derya Bellut
By Pelin Ünker, Daniel Derya Bellut
Muslims and the COVID-19 pandemic

No pilgrims in times of coronavirus?

Saudi Arabia has called on Muslims across the world to put their hajj preparations on hold for the time being. The corona pandemic is impacting one of the central pillars of Islamic life. But how can Saudi Arabia’s cancellation of the hajj be justified theologically? By Lena-Maria Moeller and Serdar Kurnaz
By Lena-Maria Möller, Serdar Kurnaz
COVID-19 pandemic

Coronavirus takes no account of Ramadan

According to the latest Reuters tally, more than 2.54 million people are now reported to have been infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 177,004 have died. As Muslims prepare for a very different Ramadan this year, here are the latest developments from across the region
COVID-19 pandemic

Ramadan during coronavirus – with a virtual community

Ramadan begins this week even as the coronavirus pandemic up-ends life around the world. The crisis is forcing Muslims to re-think traditions and find new approaches to one of Islam's most important religious rituals. By Siham Ouchtou and Kersten Knipp
By Siham Ouchtou, Kersten Knipp
COVID-19 in the Middle East

Women talk under coronavirus lockdown: "I want my life back"

How are people in the Middle East and North Africa dealing with the new coronavirus pandemic? Women from countries across the region, some of them war zones, share their worries – and hopes. By Diana Hodali
By Diana Hodali