Islam in Southeast Asia
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General election in Modi's India
"Muslims are the principal target"
With elections on 19 April, India looks set to re-elect Narendra Modi's BJP party, greenlighting an ongoing process of Hinduisation on the subcontinent. The persecution of Muslims and other minorities will intensify. Yet India has little to fear in the way of criticism from its Western allies, says political scientist Achin Vanaik
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Ramadan: Muslim holy month in pictures
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Pakistan election aftermath
What next for Indo-Pakistan relations?
Islamabad's frail new ruling coalition will need the blessing of Pakistan's military before attempting to improve ties with New Delhi
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Indonesia's presidential election
K-Pop not Islam
This year's Valentine's Day saw a presidential election in Indonesia, the world's third-largest democracy. Conservative-Islamic morals and panic-mongering tactics took a back seat on social media channels filled with music, cat videos…and elderly presidential hopefuls dancing
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Culture unites where politics divide
Bollywood – bringing India and Pakistan closer together
Indian movie stars, especially from Bollywood, have huge fan bases in Pakistan – despite the bitter political rivalry between the neighbouring nations. What's driving this popularity?
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India's pro-Israel shift
Muslims barred from supporting Palestinians
From Western capitals to Muslim states, protest rallies over the Israel-Hamas war have made headlines. But one place known for its vocal pro-Palestinian stance has been conspicuously quiet: Indian-controlled Kashmir
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750th anniversary of Rumi's death – Part 3
On Rumi's trail in Afghanistan
During Ramadan 2019, Marian Brehmer travelled to Rumi's birthplace, Balkh in northern Afghanistan, in search of the roots of the great Sufi master. His visit there left a lasting impression on him
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Climate change in Bangladesh
The sinking of a city
Chittagong in Bangladesh is one of the ten fastest-sinking coastal cities in the world. Many people moved there fleeing climate disasters elsewhere in the country. With large parts of Chittagong under water for several hours a day, they are likely to be displaced again. Rafiqul Islam Montu reports
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Is it India? Is it Bharat?
Modi government pushes for Sanskrit name
It began with a dinner invitation. How it ends could affect more than a billion people. State-issued invites sent to guests of this week's G20 meeting referred to India's president, Droupadi Murmu, as "President of Bharat". Is the country of more than 1.4 billion now to be called by its ancient Sanskrit name?
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Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan
Who are the Pakistani Islamists vowing 'death to blasphemers'?
An outlawed Islamist political party with the main objective of protecting Pakistan's draconian blasphemy laws and punishing blasphemers has been linked to violence against Christians and the burning of several churches
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India
The Gandhi clan returns
It looked as though Prime Minister Modi would be able to contest the 2024 elections without much opposition. But now the Supreme Court has cleared the way for Rahul Gandhi to return to politics. Will India's opposition take advantage of this boost? By Arne Perras
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Showcasing music from Pakistan
Back to the roots
Mekaal Hasan may not be a household name in Europe or North America, but he is a star in Pakistan. When COVID-19 struck, he and his Sufi rock band were forced to change their production approach. For "Rivayat", Hasan tracked down traditional singers and musicians from beyond Lahore. Richard Marcus had a listen