Society

Morocco's abortion ban

Acknowledging reality

There are plans afoot to liberalise Morocco's abortion laws. While an initial draft reform presented by the Ministers for Justice, Religious Affairs and Human Rights in mid-May has been sharply criticised by some women's rights organisations, doctors are expressing cautious optimism. By Martina Sabra
By Martina Sabra
Profile: Fatimetou Mint Abdel Malick

Role model for Africa's women

Fatimetou Mint Abdel Malick has been the mayor of a district of the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott for 14 years. She is living proof that women can make it to the top even in conservative Muslim societies. Elisa Rheinheimer introduces a courageous Mauritanian
By Elisa Rheinheimer
Muslim youth in America

The "mipster" phenomenon

Most people have heard of the term "hipster", which conjures up images of hip young, middle-class urban adults with progressive ideas who are into indie music. But what of the mipster, the "Muslim hipster"? Is it a real or just an imaginary concept? And for young American Muslims, is the label a blessing or a curse? By Joseph Mayton in San Francisco
By Joseph Mayton
Tolerance and religious freedom in France

Fighting radical Islam with lessons in secularism

The French government wants to send imams and non-Muslim civil servants to classes in secularism and religious freedom in an attempt to prevent home-grown extremism and promote tolerance. Elizabeth Bryant reports from Lyon on a programme that is paving the way
By Elisabeth Bryant
Hindus in Pakistan

"I want to preserve my Hindu bloodline in North Waziristan"

All around the Islamic world, people are being forced from their homes for religious reasons or are fleeing religious violence and conflict. Many leave, intending never to return in the hope of being able to start a new life in a different country. Others, however, want to return home and carry on. Just like this elderly Hindu lady who wants to go back to the predominantly Muslim region of North Waziristan to rebuild her destroyed home and keep the Hindu population there alive. She told her story to Kiran Nazish
By Kiran Nazish
The destruction of Yemen's cultural heritage

Treasures of humanity under threat

Ongoing airstrikes and the military conflict with the Houthi rebels bring the threat of further destruction of important historical buildings and cultural monuments in Yemen. By Amida Sholan
By Amida Sholan
The role of the HDP in the Turkish general election

Beacon of hope for women and LGBTs

In the Turkish election campaign, all eyes are on the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). The party's success would fundamentally redraw the nation's political map. Within a short period of time, it has succeeded in gaining favour with an array of disadvantaged social groups. By Ceyda Nurtsch
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Book review: Khaled Diab's "Intimate Enemies: Living with Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land"

Prioritising the people

At a time when Palestinian–Israeli relations are at a particularly low ebb, it might seem over-optimistic to argue that the divisions between the people on the two sides are less than they seem, and that a "people's peace process" could lead to a just solution. Yet this is what the Egyptian-Belgian journalist, author and blogger Khaled Diab does in his book "Intimate Enemies: Living with Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land". By Susannah Tarbush
By Susannah Tarbush
Ayaan Hirsi Ali's controversial theories on Islam

Hailed as a "female Luther"

Ayaan Hirsi Ali has just published her latest book "Heretic" in Germany. Her work has been received with enthusiasm in Germany, where she was courted by the media and even described as a "female Luther". She probably has more in common with him than is comfortable for many. By Emran Feroz
By Emran Feroz
Palmyra's ancient queen

Zenobia, secular Arab heroine

The city of Palmyra, which was recently seized by Islamic State (IS), was once ruled by Queen Zenobia, who became a source of inspiration for modern, secular Arabs and the Arab women's movement alike. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that articles in the Arab media are referring to Zenobia as a "prisoner of the jihadists". By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Book review: "What Makes a Man? Sex Talk in Beirut and Berlin"

An honest and painful cultural exchange

In 2003, two authors – one from Germany, one from Lebanon – spent time in each other's company and countries as part of a cultural exchange programme. Twelve years on, a book resulting from this encounter has been published: one section of the book details the Lebanese author's reaction to meeting a homosexual; another is devoted to the German author's rebuttal of this account. According to Nahrain Al-Mousawi, it is an unsettling read on many levels
By Nahrain al-Mousawi
The economic impact of the Syrian war

Escaping the Middle East's violence trap

The Syrian civil war is having a devastating effect on the region. The economic ties that had been strengthened before the war have now been severed, and border closures have impeded trade. This is even more catastrophic as economic stability is essential for long-term political stability. By Adeel Malik and Bassem Awadallah
By Adeel Malik & Bassem Awadallah