Lifestyle
All topics-
Turkish opposition
Courting Turkey’s disenchanted electorate
Despite the economic crisis and Turkey's increasingly undemocratic track record, surveys show the ruling AKP is still the party of choice. So what exactly is holding back the opposition? Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul
-
Egypt's Ramadan series "El-Ekhteyar 3"
At Abdul Fattah al-Sisi's expense
In the third series of "El-Ekhteyar", actor Yasser Galal delivers a remarkable performance in the role of Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, attracting admiration and ridicule in equal measure. By Shady Lewis Botros
-
Ramadan
Tunisia TV series sparks polygamy row
A Ramadan TV series dealing with polygamy has sparked a heated debate in Tunisia, an Arab pioneer in women's rights that banned the practice decades ago
-
Reduce waste of all kinds this Ramadan
While Ramadan should be seen as a month of moderation, a look at food waste suggests otherwise. According to EcoMena, a not-for-profit group that raises environmental awareness in the Middle East, about one-fifth of the food purchased or prepared during Ramadan ends up in the waste bin
-
Middle East
Ukraine overshadows Ramadan 2022
Ahead of Ramadan, most Middle Eastern countries have eased restrictions to near pre-pandemic times. However, increases in prices and food shortages due to the war in Ukraine are casting new shadows on the Holy Month. Jennifer Holleis reports
-
Muslimas on Instagram
The many ways to tie a headscarf
Some German women who’ve converted to Islam are choosing to maintain a public presence on social media such as Instagram, under names such as "Hijabi on Tinder“. In doing so, they’re fending off the cliches and the hate – no matter where it comes from. Julia Ley reports
-
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
-
"The Book of Charlatans"
Mediaeval Syria's answer to Mark Twain
In this new bilingual edition, translated by Humphrey Davies, al-Jawbari, one of the thirteenth century's leading experts in skullduggery reveals all there is to know about the wiles of false prophets, quacks, prestidigitators, cat burglars, money changers, false alchemists, and – worst of all – women. By Marcia Lynx Qualey
-
Bulgaria's Muslim minority
Bulgarian Pomaks keep traditional wedding rite alive
A wedding extravaganza of bright colours, flowers, feasting and dancing, yet the bride, Nefie Eminkova, who comes from Bulgaria's Pomak – Muslim – minority, can see none of it. Her eyes must remain tightly closed until the imam gives his blessing.
-
"Eternal" wine revives Assyrian culture in Turkey
Assyrian merchant Yuhanna Aktas no longer has to hide from villagers in his conservative corner of southern Turkey that the grapes they harvest are destined to become wine.
-
Netflix launches Palestinian film collection
"We want our stories to travel"
On 14 October 2021, streaming giant Netflix expanded its service to include films either produced by Palestinians or with a Palestinian theme. "Palestinian Stories" comprises 32 award-winning movies available to viewers all round the world
-
Life in the Islamic Republic, then and now
The softening of Sharia in Iran – four harams turn halal
On the face of it, the Iran of 2021 still bears considerable resemblance to the Islamic theocracy that was established following the overthrow of the Shah in 1979. Yet, although the enforcement of Sharia law continues to this day, the definition of what is permitted and what is forbidden has shifted over the years. By Mehdi Abadi