750th anniversary of Rumi's death
On Rumi's trail in Afghanistan
Saudi-Israeli relations
US-Saudi defence pact tied to Israel deal
Human rights and Islamism in the Gulf
This Barbie can't go to Kuwait
Iran and Mahsa Amini, one year on
Tehran's power base is fading

750th anniversary of Rumi's death – Part 3

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 himRead more

Saudi-Israeli relations

Saudi Arabia is seeking binding assurances of US protection in the event of an attack in return for normalisation with Israel – even if Israel does not agree to make major concessions to the Palestinians. Although such a deal could reshape the Middle East, it would mean that the Palestinian demand for statehood would take a back seat once againRead more

The recent ban of the Barbie film is part of a growing crackdown on feminism and freedom of expression in Kuwait.

Human rights and Islamism in the Gulf

The recent ban of the Barbie film is part of a growing crackdown on feminism and freedom of expression in Kuwait. Hind Al Ansari argues that instead of tightening controls, the government should focus on developing spaces for open dialogueRead more

Prominent voices from within the Islamic Republic's inner circle of power – once spokesmen for the most radical factions – are now vehement in their criticism of Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader. They used the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death to drive home their condemnation.

Iran and Mahsa Amini, one year on

Prominent voices from within the Islamic Republic's inner circle of power – once spokesmen for the most radical factions – are now vehement in their criticism of Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader. They used the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death to drive home their condemnation. By Ali SadrzadehRead more

Politics

American President Joe Biden (left) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bump fists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 15 July 2022 (image: Bandar Al Galoud/Reuters)

Saudi-Israeli relations

US-Saudi defence pact tied to Israel deal, Palestinian demands put aside

Graffiti of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Khomeini (image: picture-alliance/NurPhoto/D.Zarzar)

Iran and Mahsa Amini, one year on

Tehran's power base is fading

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Ryan Gosling, left, and Margot Robbie in a scene from "Barbie" (image: Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

Human rights and Islamism in the Gulf

This Barbie can't go to Kuwait

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks in front of a poster of Kemal Ataturk (image: picture alliance/dpa/AP Images/K. Ozer)

Ataturk's republic turns 100

Turkey's enduring identity crisis

Society

Men leave the Green Mosque in Balkh, Afghanistan, after Friday prayers (image: Marian Brehmer)

750th anniversary of Rumi's death – Part 3

On Rumi's trail in Afghanistan

Students of Tehran's Sharif University attend a rally (image: NNSRoj)

Iran protests

Tehran dismisses university lecturers

A man reacts as he sits on the rubble of a destroyed building in Libya's eastern city of Derna on 18 September 2023, following deadly flash floods (image: KARIM SAHIB / AFP)

Libya flood victims

Derna – difficult search for missing migrants

Many Tajik brides aren't their husbands' only wives (image: Boaz Rottem/IMAGO)

Human rights in Asia

Tajik women turn to polygamy to survive

Moulay Brahim, Morocco: People are seen bringing aid and food provisions in the aftermath of the earthquake (image: Davide Bonaldo/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire)

Morocco quake aftermath

Moroccans pull together for Atlas region

Culture

British-Egyptian author Shady Lewis (image: AP)

Migrants in the UK

The world of London's others

Ipek Ipekcioglum aka DJ Ipek (image: Melis Oezdil)

Eklektik BerlinIstan meets Anatolian folk

DJ Ipek's space-time continuum in sound

MENA project (image: MENA Project)

Middle Eastern and North African art in Europe

MENA Art Gallery – haven for Arab art

Algerian author Said Khatibi (image: private)

Algeria – wasteland for Arabic literature

Big Brother is watching you

American vocalist and songwriter Galeet Dardashti (image: Galeet Dardashti)

Galeet Dardashti's "Monajat"

Dedicated to Muslims and Jews everywhere