'The Line' in Saudi Arabia
Mohammed bin Salman's febrile dream
The Holocaust, colonialism and mutual understanding
Time for a refresher in humanity
The Islamic Republic and Putin's war
Iran's sacred mission in Ukraine?
Women and Islamic studies
Annemarie Schimmel’s pioneering take on Islam
No roads, no cars, no carbon dioxide: "The Line" is the name of a planned eco-super city in Saudi Arabia - 170 kilometers long, 200 meters wide and 500 meters high.

'The Line' in Saudi Arabia

Mohammed bin Salman's febrile dream

Plans for Neom, the futuristic ecocity in Saudi Arabia's desert, are taking shape. In the form of a straight line, for nine million inhabitants. Merely a pipe-dream? Commentary by Gerhard MatzigRead more

Green hydrogen in Saudi Arabia: From oil giant to green powerhouse?Reform in Saudi Arabia: Progress or megalomania?Saudi Arabia's urban development: The Crown Prince's bulldozers

The Holocaust, colonialism and mutual understanding

Time for a refresher in humanity

It is possible to write about the Holocaust and the crimes of colonial powers without downplaying anything. In her latest book, Charlotte Wiedemann focuses on the numerous blind spots in our culture of commemoration. By Rene Wildangel
 Read more

Anti-Semitism and the Middle East conflict: Dissidence and the Jewish diasporaWestern news coverage: The white perspectiveMiddle East conflict: Shoah and Nakba – two interlinked catastrophes
Where's the Shia shrine in Ukraine?

The Islamic Republic and Putin's war

Iran's sacred mission in Ukraine?

Since Ali Khamenei, Iran's most powerful man, has openly and unconditionally come out in support of Putin's war in Ukraine, logistical help is on its way, with an allegedly civilian airline playing a key role. By Ali SadrzadehRead more

Iran and the Ukraine war: Ali Khamenei prepares for the futureUkraine war: Iran – at Putin's beck and call?War in Ukraine: Iran's conflict of interests
"If we want a shared future worth living in, I can think of no better preparation than reading Annemarie Schimmel," writes Stefan Weidner.

Women and Islamic studies

Annemarie Schimmel’s pioneering take on Islam

This year Annemarie Schimmel, the great German scholar of Islamic studies, would have turned 100. Unique within the German and international academic community of her time, Schimmel’s pioneering work was characterised by a love of Islam. A tribute by Stefan WeidnerRead more

10th anniversary of the death of Annemarie Schimmel: Searching for the inner life of IslamInterview with Angelika Neuwirth: "The claim that Islam lacks an Enlightenment is an age-old cliche"Qantara dossier: Mysticism | Sufism

Politics

No roads, no cars, no carbon dioxide: "The Line" is the name of a planned eco-super city in Saudi Arabia - 170 kilometers long, 200 meters wide and 500 meters high (photo: AFP Photo/NEOM)

'The Line' in Saudi Arabia

Mohammed bin Salman's febrile dream

Plans for Neom, the futuristic ecocity in Saudi Arabia's desert, are taking shape. In the form of a straight line, for nine million inhabitants. Merely a pipe-dream? Commentary by Gerhard MatzigMore

Green hydrogen in Saudi Arabia: From oil giant to green powerhouse?Reform in Saudi Arabia: Progress or megalomania?Saudi Arabia's urban development: The Crown Prince's bulldozers
Russian President Vladimir Putin with Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran in mid-July (photo: khamenei.ir)

The Islamic Republic and Putin's war

Iran's sacred mission in Ukraine?

Since Ali Khamenei, Iran's most powerful man, has openly and unconditionally come out in support of Putin's war in Ukraine, logistical help is on its way, with an allegedly civilian airline playing a key role. By Ali SadrzadehMore

Iran and the Ukraine war: Ali Khamenei prepares for the futureUkraine war: Iran – at Putin's beck and call?War in Ukraine: Iran's conflict of interests
View inside a Google data centre (photo: Conny Zhou/Zuma Press/picture-alliance)

Data centre plans in Saudi Arabia

Google puts Saudi activists in danger

Internet giant Google is creating a "cloud region" in Saudi Arabia. It says it will protect users there. But digital rights activists say the firm will be putting the lives of government critics at risk. Cathrin Schaer reportsMore

Middle East: How cybercrime laws are used to silence dissentSaudi Arabia's detainees: Speak your mind – face the consequencesBetween religion, oil dependence and reforms: Saudi Arabia under Mohammed bin Salman
Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri visits Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei (photo: FARS)

Hamas and Hezbollah

A new alliance in Lebanon?

The Palestinian militant organisation Hamas, with Hezbollah's help, is building up a military presence in Lebanon, the ultimate consequences of which could be devastating, writes Mohanad Hage AliMore

Shia "axis of resistance": Khamenei's Final Solution provocation to mark Quds DayLebanese thinker Martin Accad: "Lebanon's tragedy is political sectarianism"Escalation in the Middle East: Israeli-Hamas hostilities: same old story, or is it?
more Politics »

Society

Holocaust memorial in Berlin (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

The Holocaust, colonialism and mutual understanding

Time for a refresher in humanity

It is possible to write about the Holocaust and the crimes of colonial powers without downplaying anything. In her latest book, Charlotte Wiedemann focuses on the numerous blind spots in our culture of commemoration. By Rene Wildangel
 More

Anti-Semitism and the Middle East conflict: Dissidence and the Jewish diasporaWestern news coverage: The white perspectiveMiddle East conflict: Shoah and Nakba – two interlinked catastrophes
Symbolic image: a hand holds a cotton boll against the sky (photo: China Photos/Getty Images)

Pakistan

Climate crisis impacts Pakistani cotton industry

Pakistan is one of the world’s five major cotton-growing countries. Production has, however, been dwindling in recent years. Global warming is one of the reasons. Experts are currently working on how to rise to the challenges. Imran Mukhtar reportsMore

Environmental protection in Islam: Patterning natureEnvironmental jihad: Can "green Islam" save Indonesia from climate collapse?Tarik M. Quadir: "If we don’t pull together to save the earth, we will ‘sink’ together"
Islamic scholar Annemarie Schimmel (photo: Jürgen Eis/Imago)

Women and Islamic studies

Annemarie Schimmel’s pioneering take on Islam

This year Annemarie Schimmel, the great German scholar of Islamic studies, would have turned 100. Unique within the German and international academic community of her time, Schimmel’s pioneering work was characterised by a love of Islam. A tribute by Stefan WeidnerMore

10th anniversary of the death of Annemarie Schimmel: Searching for the inner life of IslamInterview with Angelika Neuwirth: "The claim that Islam lacks an Enlightenment is an age-old cliche"Qantara dossier: Mysticism | Sufism
23 March 2022: The first post-pandemic cruise ship to dock at La Goulette, Tunis, Tunisia (photo: Getty Images)

Tourism in North Africa

Tentative recovery, or too little, too late?

Tourists have been returning to Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco. But, given the global uncertainty caused by the Ukraine war, will the comeback be enough to save a struggling sector, revive lost jobs and avoid unrest? Cathrin Schaer and Mohammed Magdy reportMore

Coronavirus fallout: Tunisia post-lockdown – should we stay or should we go?COVID-19 fallout in Morocco: Tangiers' economic boom – few winners and many losersCOVID-19 on the Nile: The curse of coronavirus – Egypt, a nation gripped by fear
more Society »

Culture

Iraqi inmate subjected to torture in Abu Ghraib prison, Iraq (photo: AP Photo/picture-alliance)

Controversy at Berlin's Biennale art show

Abu Ghraib torture photos in the spotlight

A French artist has used photos of torture from Abu Ghraib for an oversized artwork at the Berlin Biennale. Reactions from fellow artists have been mixed, with some criticising and others praising the work. Christine Lehnen reportsMore

The Iraq War fifteen years on: "America destroyed my country"Interview with Iraqi author Sinan Antoon: The West and its cliched view of IraqInterview with war photographer Andy Spyra: The pull of war
Noori & His Dorpa Band in the Sudan National Museum (photo: Yasir Elhassan)

Noori & His Dorpa Band's "Beja Power"

Defiant in the face of repression

"Beja Power" by Noori & His Dorpa Band is a scintillating introduction to one of the oldest and least known cultural traditions in Sudan and Africa. Rather than slavishly recreating music from the past, the band plays with diverse influences to stunning effect. By Richard MarcusMore

Sudan's popular resistance: The revolution will succeedRap music from Sudan: Emmnuel Jal's vision of peace"Two Niles to Sing a Melody": The strings and synths of Sudan″Music Spaces in the Arab World″: Between the pots and pans
Denmark: Opening event of the Flugt Museum (photo: picture-alliance)

Denmark's new "Flugt" Museum

Flight has a million faces

"Flugt" is the world's first museum dedicated to the stories of those forced to flee. The new museum, which focuses on the fates of refugees then and now, is housed in a former camp for German war refugees on the west coast of Denmark. By Oliver RistauMore

Europe, Ukraine and refugees: Compassion, a sliding scale?Turkey's Syrian problem: Refugees – a hot topic in Turkish politicsMiddle East conflict: "Palestinian refugees have a right to the truth"
Maya Youssef (photo: Igorstudio)

Maya Youssef's album "Finding Home"

Music as a place of hope

"Finding Home", the second album by Syrian-born, UK-based musician Maya Youssef, works through feelings of loss and destruction until its music reaches a place beyond war and violence. By Stefan Franzen
 More

Album review: Maya Youssef′s ″Syrian Dreams″ – Hope still springsSyrian composer and pianist Malek Jandali: "Music has the magical power to transcend all barriers"Interview with the pianist Aeham Ahmad: Bittersweet memories of SyriaInterview with Kinan Azmeh and Dima Orsho: "All we can do is sing and play our hearts out"
more Culture »

Editor's picks

Shoah and Nakba – two interlinked catastrophes

Arab states: The ruling classes' dereliction of duty

Refugees' rights met with draconian punishments

Femicide in Egypt: "Say no, you'll be in trouble"

Navid Kermani asks: "How do we believe?"

...More

One year on, Taliban torn over reforms

Mullah Baradah (centre) and other Taliban officials (photo: picture-alliance)

One year on from the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, some cracks are opening within their ranks over the crucial question of just how much reform their leaders can tolerate.More

34th German Orientalists' Day | DOT 2022: 12.-17 September

The Deutsche Orientalistentag (DOT) marks its 100th anniversary this year (photo: DOT2022 / FU Berlin)

The German Orientalists' Day (DOT) is scheduled to take place at the Freie Universität Berlin from 12-17 September 2022.More

Informal gold mining in the Sahel

In the Sahel, the number of informal mines is rising as gold mining areas escape state control. Mali is emerging as a gold-purchasing hub for Sahelian countries, while Dubai has become the main destination for artisanal gold production from the African continent.More

MbS: despot in the desert

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (photo: AFP)

A volatile millennial wields absolute power in Saudi Arabia. What will he do next?More

Iran’s increasingly decentralised axis of resistance

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (photo: Flickr user safwat sayed, CC BY-ND 2.0: https://bit.ly/3Jmu5Fm)

The Islamic Republic's “axis of resistance” is currently shifting from a hierarchical, Iran-centric network to a decentralised horizontal structure, facilitating greater autonomy for its members. More autonomy gives Iran the plausible deniability to distance itself from its partners’ provocations, while still seeking their support when needed.More

Low-budget sci-fi film shatters Iran’s sacred red lines

A still photo from “Velayatnameh” of a robot and a supreme leader set in a satirical future (photo: Studio Kazoo)

A sci-fi film lampooning the Islamic Republic and all that its regime holds sacred premiered quietly at a nondescript venue in Los Angeles in July. The title, “Velayatnameh”, is a spoof on Ferdowsi's “Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings”More

Traditional boat-makers keep ancient craft afloat

Syrian craftsman Khaled Bahlawan hammers nails in a wooden boat at his boatyard in Syria's Mediterranean Island of Arwad on 24 July 2022 (photo: LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images)

Khaled Bahlawan hammers nails into a traditional wooden boat he built by hand, toiling under the scorching sun on Syria's Mediterranean coast to preserve a disappearing ancient skillMore

Pakistan feels economic shockwaves

Pakistani PM Shahbaz Sharif addresses a National Assembly session in Islamabad, Pakistan, on 11 April 2022 (photo: National Assembly of Pakistan/AP/picture-alliance)

While many countries are dependent on Ukrainian or Russian wheat or foreign energy imports, Pakistan requires both. For this reason, the country has been hit particularly badly by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Serious reform is needed, but is it too late for Pakistan's new PM, Shahbaz Sharif (pictured above), to deliver? According to Michael Rubin, Pakistan faces collapse, and the world should be worried.More