Sunni-Shia tension
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Sectarian massacre on Syrian coast"I am the sole survivor of my family"
Survivors of the violence unleashed in Syrian coastal cities in early March tell Qantara their stories. Warning: the testimonies contain details of the indiscriminate killings of Alawite civilians and may be disturbing.
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TV series "Muawiya"Historical Ramadan drama fuels controversy
The Saudi-produced television series “Muawiya” emerged as a talking point during Ramadan, sparking debate throughout the Middle East. Both Iran and Iraq have banned the show which charts the life of one of the most controversial figures in Islamic history.
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Iran drone attacksWhy did some Arab countries help Israel?
Some analysts saw the fact that Arab nations helped Israel and the U.S. repel a major Iranian attack as cause for celebration. Countries like Jordan have, however, more complicated motivations for coming to Israel's aid
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Iran-Pakistan tensionsWhat was behind the Balochistan strikes?
Tit-for-tat attacks between neighbours Iran and Pakistan are linked to separatists fighting for independence of the mineral-rich Balochistan region that spans their borders
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Sunnis and Shias in IslamHow the Sunni-Shia split shaped the Islamic world throughout history
Toby Matthiesen's new book, "The Caliph and the Imam", explores both the origins of the Sunni-Shia divide, what the two branches of Islam have in common and how the split has shaped the Islamic world
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Koran-burning in SwedenThe Iraqi Christian turned radical
It was an Iraqi with Christian roots – Salwan Momeka – who staged the burning of the Koran in Stockholm last week. In doing so, he wanted to get even with his countrymen. Birgit Svensson reports from Baghdad
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Shia clerics in Iran"Save Islam" – or just the mullahs?
Are the Shia clergy disappearing as a pillar of Iranian society, degenerating into a mere power apparatus? Nationwide attacks, vilification and the murder, or attempted murder, of mullahs are becoming more frequent. Every turban wearer is seen as representing and symbolising the hated regime. By Ali Sadrzadeh
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'Maximum pressure' gears upProtests drive Iran's Saudi deal
On 10 March 2023, the world woke up to the breaking news that Middle East rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia had forged a deal to restore diplomatic relations within two months and refrain from interfering in each other's domestic affairs. Ali Fathollah-Nejad and Amin Naeni examine Iran's motivations
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Saudi-Iran dealNew hope for football in the Middle East
The re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March surprised many around the world. If relations improve, the hope is that football in both countries and the wider region will benefit. John Duerden reports
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20 years after Saddam's fallIraq still haunted by missing persons
When he first heard that U.S. troops had toppled Saddam Hussein, Iraqi engineer Hazem Mohammed thought he would finally be able to find his brother, who had been shot dead and dumped in a mass grave after a failed uprising against Saddam's rule in 1991
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Germany's Baerbock in IraqGerman foreign minister pushes for stability
Annalena Baerbock used her recent trip to Iraq to call for greater international support for Baghdad and the region. Without it, she said, the country risks becoming a pawn in geopolitical tensions. Giulia Saudelli reports from Iraq
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Lebanon's economic collapseStaring into the abyss
Lebanon was long viewed as the Switzerland of the Middle East. Until relatively recently, billions were deposited in its banks. Gulf states were among the foremost investors in Beirut. But this all came to an end in 2019. Now the troubled nation is gripped by the worst economic crisis in its history. Birgit Svensson reports from Beirut and Tripoli