Society

Impact of Coronavirus

Rise in domestic violence in the Middle East

As authorities across the region struggle to contain the pandemic with curfews and lockdowns, few have thought of the knock-on effects. For many women, more time at home means more physical abuse from family members. By Maram Shahatit
By Maram Shahatit
COVID-19 pandemic

Devastated by war, Syriaʹs Idlib braces for coronavirus

No soap, hardly any water and no space to quarantine: in Idlib there is growing concern over the possible spread of coronavirus. A women's centre there is trying to educate people. Diana Hodali reports
By Diana Hodali
Pandemic update

Corona across the Islamic world – the toll of COVID-19

While some are beginning to protest the lockdown, others are unable to bury their loved ones in accordance with Islam. Here’s the latest from across the region
Business in the Middle East

Jordanʹs digital start-ups – innovation in Silicon Wadi

Young people in Jordan are increasingly turning to digital start-ups to improve their prospects, rather than relying on the countryʹs rigid labour market. Claudia Mende reports
By Claudia Mende
Freedom of the press

Turkey's Pelican group – Erdoganʹs state within a state?

After Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government set its sights on critical news outlet OdaTV, several of its journalists now face harsh prison sentences. Is Turkey's president using a secret group to control judges? By Hulya Schenk & Daniel Derya Bellut
By Hülya Köylü Schenk, Daniel Derya Bellut
Pandemic update

COVID-19 across the Islamic world – Fighting shy of coronavirus

Coronavirus continues unabated. Iran remains a hub of infection, war-torn Syria has recorded its first case and Yemen is bracing itself for the worst. Here’s the latest from across the region
COVID-19 pandemic

The world’s religions and coronavirus

As COVID-19 sweeps across the globe, it is forcing religions to adapt and take action to prevent infection. But experts warn against using the crisis to fuel conspiracy theories. Christoph Strack reports
By Christoph Strack
Biodiesel production

Destroying Indonesia's virgin forests to protect the climate?

Germany continues to believe in the fiction that palm oil obtained from South East Asia to blend with diesel fuel is ecologically sound and climate-friendly. But that belief is mistaken, as Inge Altemeier and Stefan Buchen found out
By Inge Altemeier, Stefan Buchen
Coronavirus in the Islamic world

In lockdown over COVID-19

With borders closing and the opportunities for international travel shrinking by the hour, we take a look at coronavirus developments across the Middle East and the wider Muslim world
Coronavirus in the Islamic world

The challenges of COVID-19

As the global economy reels and everyday life grinds to a standstill, we take a look at the spread of coronavirus across the Middle East and the wider Muslim world – and the containment measures being put in place
Female protesters in Lebanon

Solidarity is the solution!

Women have been the driving force behind the popular protests in Lebanon for months. They are fighting for the rights of everyone – women, minorities, refugees or migrants. Julia Neumann reports from Beirut
By Julia Neumann
Iraq's revolutionary women

The female paramedics of Tahrir Square

During the protests against the central government in Baghdad, Iraqi women have been volunteering as nurses and learning first aid. They are also changing the status quo and promoting the rights of women in the country. By Azhar Ali Hussein
By Azhar Ali Hussein