COVID-19 pandemic
Science versus covidiots – Indiaʹs coronavirus challenge
Rentier economies and the clean-energy transition
Cashing out – Saudi Arabia’s radical new oil strategy
COVID-19 pandemic
Devastated by war, Syriaʹs Idlib braces for coronavirus
Turkeyʹs Middle East exiles
Istanbul – the Arab worldʹs beacon on the Bosphorus

COVID-19 pandemic

Science versus covidiots – Indiaʹs coronavirus challenge

Obscurantism is making it harder to prevent Covid-19, not only in Southeast Asia. Though India's lockdown was poorly planned, we must hope it will prove effective. By Aditi Roy GhatakRead more

Covid-19 cases top 1,000 as India says no plans to extend lockdownPandemic update: Corona across the Islamic world – the toll of COVID-19COVID-19 pandemic: The world’s religions and coronavirus

Rentier economies and the clean-energy transition

Cashing out – Saudi Arabia’s radical new oil strategy

Though coinciding with the coronavirus crisis, Saudi Arabia's recent decision to hike oil production reflects a more fundamental strategic shift. By Bernard HaykelRead more

Between religion, oil dependence and reforms: Saudi Arabia under Mohammed bin Salmannterview with Lebanese writer Amin Maalouf: Petrodollars proved stronger in the Middle East than cultural traditionOil and development in the Middle East: A two-edged sword

COVID-19 pandemic

Devastated by war, Syriaʹs Idlib braces for coronavirus

No soap, hardly any water and no space to quarantine: in Idlib there is growing concern over the possible spread of coronavirus. A women's centre there is trying to educate people. Diana Hodali reportsRead more

COVID-19: Syriaʹs crisis within a crisis – coronavirus could hit hardCOVID-19 in North Africa: Corona proactivity in Tunisia, trivialisation in EgyptCorona across the Islamic world – the toll of COVID-19

Turkeyʹs Middle East exiles

Istanbul – the Arab worldʹs beacon on the Bosphorus

Istanbul has become a refuge for many Arab communities – including the Muslim Brotherhood – but its cosmopolitan ways are also changing them. By Mohanad Hage AliRead more

The Arter, art and gentrification: Modern art makeover in Istanbul?Gentrification in Egypt: Urban counter-revolution in Cairo

Politics

An Indian Hindu drinks cow urine during an event organised by an event by a religious group promoting cow urine consumption as a cure for the new coronavirus in New Delhi, India (photo: picture-alliance/AP Photo)

COVID-19 pandemic

Science versus covidiots – Indiaʹs coronavirus challenge

Obscurantism is making it harder to prevent Covid-19, not only in Southeast Asia. Though India's lockdown was poorly planned, we must hope it will prove effective. By Aditi Roy GhatakMore

Covid-19 cases top 1,000 as India says no plans to extend lockdownPandemic update: Corona across the Islamic world – the toll of COVID-19COVID-19 pandemic: The world’s religions and coronavirus
A man rides a camel through a desert oil field (photo: picture-alliance/AP/H. Jamali)

Rentier economies and the clean-energy transition

Cashing out – Saudi Arabia’s radical new oil strategy

Though coinciding with the coronavirus crisis, Saudi Arabia's recent decision to hike oil production reflects a more fundamental strategic shift. By Bernard HaykelMore

Between religion, oil dependence and reforms: Saudi Arabia under Mohammed bin Salmannterview with Lebanese writer Amin Maalouf: Petrodollars proved stronger in the Middle East than cultural traditionOil and development in the Middle East: A two-edged sword
Inmates sit in a prison for IS militants in Hassakeh, Syria (photo: picture-alliance/ZUMAPRESS/C. Guzy)

Syria and Iraq

Islamic State seeking to profit from coronavirus pandemic

From advisories against travel to calls for a new jihad, Islamic State sees the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to exploit. The militants, however, are no more immune to the virus than anyone else. By Lewis Sanders IV & Tom AllinsonMore

Syria: Riot breaks out at prison holding IS militantsSyriaʹs crisis within a crisis – coronavirus could hit hardCOVID-19 across the Islamic world – Fighting shy of coronavirus
Effects of the coronavirus in Cairo, Egypt (photo: picture-alliance)

COVID-19 in North Africa

Corona proactivity in Tunisia, trivialisation in Egypt

Healthcare systems in Tunisia and Egypt are in a catastrophic state. The governmental response to the crisis in both nations could not be more different. Sofian Philip Naceur reports from TunisMore

COVID-19 across the Islamic world – Fighting shy of coronavirusCOVID-19 in Iraq: Working under the coronavirus curfew in BaghdadCOVID-19 pandemic: The world’s religions and coronavirus
more Politics »

Society

Barely access to clean water: people in Idlib are not in a position to protect themselves against coronavirus (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/A. Alkharboutli)

COVID-19 pandemic

Devastated by war, Syriaʹs Idlib braces for coronavirus

No soap, hardly any water and no space to quarantine: in Idlib there is growing concern over the possible spread of coronavirus. A women's centre there is trying to educate people. Diana Hodali reportsMore

COVID-19: Syriaʹs crisis within a crisis – coronavirus could hit hardCOVID-19 in North Africa: Corona proactivity in Tunisia, trivialisation in EgyptCorona across the Islamic world – the toll of COVID-19
A man prays in an empty mosque in Baghdad (photo: Reuters/K. Al-Mousily)

Pandemic update

Corona across the Islamic world – the toll of COVID-19

While some are beginning to protest the lockdown, others are unable to bury their loved ones in accordance with Islam. Here’s the latest from across the regionMore

Reacting to coronavirus, Europeans launch long-awaited INSTEX mechanism with IranCOVID-19 pandemic: Devastated by war, Syriaʹs Idlib braces for coronavirusSyria and Iraq: Islamic State seeking to profit from coronavirus pandemic
People walk past Syrian restaurants in the Istanbul neighbourhood of Aksaray, August 2019 (photo: picture alliance/AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Turkeyʹs Middle East exiles

Istanbul – the Arab worldʹs beacon on the Bosphorus

Istanbul has become a refuge for many Arab communities – including the Muslim Brotherhood – but its cosmopolitan ways are also changing them. By Mohanad Hage AliMore

The Arter, art and gentrification: Modern art makeover in Istanbul?Gentrification in Egypt: Urban counter-revolution in Cairo
Entrepreneur Ghassan Halawa in his "Parachute" agency (photo: Claudia Mende)

Business in the Middle East

Jordanʹs digital start-ups – innovation in Silicon Wadi

Young people in Jordan are increasingly turning to digital start-ups to improve their prospects, rather than relying on the countryʹs rigid labour market. Claudia Mende reportsMore

Art and design in Jordan: A facelift for Amman's artisanal businessesStart-ups in the West Bank: Young Palestinians and their "business without borders"Young women and start-ups in Gaza: Getting down to business
more Society »

Culture

Iranian author Nava Ebrahimi (photo: Katrin Ohlendorf)

Book review: Nava Ebrahimi’s "Das Paradies meines Nachbarn"

The scars of war

War, escape, exile and the question of one’s own identity are central themes in Nava Ebrahimi’s second novel "Das Paradies meines Nachbarn". Gerrit Wustmann read the bookMore

Young Iranian women writers in Germany: Patchwork identities Contemporary Iranian literature: Reading outside the boxBook review: Stefan Weidner's ʺ1001 Books. The Literatures of the Orientʺ: The Middle East – a rich vein of world literature
Still from Haifaa Al-Mansourʹs ʺThe Perfect Candidateʺ (source: Neue Visionen Filmverleih)

Haifaa Al-Mansourʹs ʺThe Perfect Candidateʺ

When the patriarchy has better things to do

Haifaa Al-Mansour’s new film follows on from her successful debut, ʺWajdaʺ. In ʺThe Perfect Candidateʺ, the talented Saudi filmmaker again addresses the issue of equality. It’s her best work to date, says Schayan RiazMore

The Saudi Arabian film ''Wadjda'': A children's story in a grown-up worldBerlinale 2016: Interview with Saudi director Mahmoud Sabbagh: ″Testing the water... to make a change"Saudi cinema launch ends decades-old ban, public screenings start today
Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof (photo: DW)

Interview with the Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof

"Devils donʹt exist"

Mohammad Rasoulof's "There Is No Evil" won the main prize at the Berlinale. Maryam Mirza talked to the director, who is currently forbidden from leaving Iran, about his filmMore

Winner of the Berlinale 2020: "Sheytan Vojud Nadarad": There is no evil, unless it's perpetratedMohammed Rasoulof's ''Manuscripts don't burn'': Iranian agents as killersBerlinale 2019: "Born in Evin": Confronting a very personal trauma
The members of Masaa (source: masaa-music,de)

"Masaa"

A fence turns to water

On their fourth CD "Irade" (willpower), Masaa has left its piano sound behind, yet continues with its new guitarist to pursue a path that bridges jazz improvisation and Arabic sounds. By Stefan FranzenMore

Masaa official websiteThe Lebanese singer Tania Saleh: Beirut's window on RioRabih Abou-Khalilʹs "The Flood and the Fate of the Fish": Crisp chamber music
more Culture »

Iraq confronts coronavirus amid infrastructure concerns

While Iran has proven a hotspot for coronavirus infections with 388 reported cases and 34 deaths, the six confirmed cases in neighbouring Iraq have pushed authorities to close schools and universities in that country amid concerns its healthcare infrastructure is ill-prepared to deal with a full-scale outbreak.More

Journalist who questioned Egypt's official coronavirus tally forced to leave country

British-German journalist Ruth Michaelson (photo: private)

Egyptian authorities have forced Guardian journalist Ruth Michaelson to leave the country after she reported on a scientific study that said Egypt was likely to have many more coronavirus cases than have been officially confirmed.More

"I won't survive": Iranian scientist in U.S. detention points finger at Ice

Sirous Asgari at his graduation from Philadelphia’s Drexel University in 1997 (photo: private; courtesy Asgari family)

Although acquitted of all charges, Iranian scientist Dr Sirous Asgari remains in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention. Filthy and overcrowded, the "inhumane" jail is denying detainees masks and hand sanitiser – with officials doing little to prevent a deadly coronavirus outbreak.More

"Quarantine Kitchen": An Iranian artist documents people's routines during lockdown

From the Quarantine Kitchen series by Golrokh Nafisi (source: scenearabia.com)

Iranian artist Golrokh Nafisi has started a series of sketches, "Quarantine Kitchen", documenting the daily scenes and stories of Iranians' newfound time in the kitchen during quarantine.More

UK: Muslim households are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus

Muslim family crosses London's Oxford Street (photo: Scott Davies/Flickr/Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0))

Britain’s Muslims are amongst the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic – senior NHS officials have revealed that up to a quarter of British people who have died from the disease caused by the virus have been elderly Muslims.More

Ehud Olmert: "Benjamin Netanyahu has to go home"

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert discusses the country's ongoing formation of a government and openly criticises his successor and rival Benjamin Netanyahu whom, he says, is "not capable of continuing."More

The mighty Nile, threatened by waste, warming and a mega-dam

The Nile in Egypt (photo: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A.Nabil)

Egypt's lifeline since Pharaonic days and the source of 97 percent of its water is under massive strain from pollution and climate change and now the threat of a colossal dam being built far upstream in Ethiopia.More

Coronavirus continues to spread in Tunisia

Large numbers of Tunisians aren’t respecting the measures put in place to try to curb the spread of coronavirus (photos and screengrabs from social media)

Despite various restrictions introduced by the Tunisian government to curb the spread of coronavirus, many people are ignoring social distancing and self isolation advice.More

What Islamic hygienic practices can teach us when coronavirus is spreading

People washing up to pray at Badshahi Mosque, Lahore, on 10 June 2004 (photo: Pale blue dot/Wikipedia/GNU Free Documentation Licence)

The recent Netflix docuseries “Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak” illustrates how the Islamic ritual washing, known as "wudu", may help spread a good hygiene message.More

Concern mounts of 'catastrophic' coronavirus outbreak in Syria

Refugees in Idlib (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

The Syrian government says no cases have been logged, but fears are growing that the war-hit country will not be able to cope with a COVID-19 outbreak.More

Al Jazeera: Christchurch one year on

On 15 March 2019, an Australian neo-Nazi shot 51 men, women and children in two mosques in Christchurch. New Zealand was in shock. A year on, the scarred community awaits the conclusions of a governmental inquiry due in April, and many victims still struggle with trauma.More