Author: Siham Ouchtou

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A French fighter jet of the type 'Mirage' in Bamako, Mali (photo: Reuters)

Consequences of the Military Intervention in Mali

A Tinderbox Situation

Algeria and Morocco granted France permission to use their airspace in its campaign against militant Islamists in Mali. But Arab experts fear that the Mali intervention could push many young Muslims into the arms of the Jihadists. By Siham OuchtouMore

Interview with Ahmed Rashid on Mali: ''Worse than Afghanistan''Ansar Dine's religious leader Chérif Ousmane Haidara: ''This is not Sharia, but banditry''Photo Essay: The Conflict in Western Sahara
Bassima Hakkaoui (photo: DW)

Interview with Morocco's Minister Bassima Hakkaoui

''Some Politicians See Women as Intruders''

PJD politician Bassima Hakkaoui is the only woman to hold a ministerial post in Morocco's new, Islamist-dominated government. In conversation with Siham Ouchtou, the Minister for Solidarity, Women, Family and Social Development addresses the concerns of women's rights organizations over the government's gender equality policyMore

Women's Rights in Morocco: Activists See Little Hope for Gender Policy ReformsWomen's Rights and the Arab Spring: The Female Face of the RevolutionQantara Dossier: Feminist Approaches to Islam
A veiled Moroccan woman talks with her daughter in the streets of Essaouira, Morocco (photo: AP)

Journalists with Headscarves in Morocco

Kept under Cover

As in many other Muslim countries, increasing numbers of women in Morocco are entering the labour market. Among these women, there are many who wear headscarves. However, there would appear to be an unwritten rule in Moroccan radio and television that women in headscarves should not be employed in these media. Siham Ouchtou reportsMore

The Niqab Debate in the Maghreb: A Negation of Women or Religious Freedom?Opus Prize for Aicha Chenna: ''Secular in My Head, Muslim in My Heart''Qantara dossier: The Headscarf Debate

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Iran bearing the brunt: with a high number of deaths and cases, Iran has been a regional epicentre of the outbreak. Several top officials have been infected and there are concerns the number of cases are higher than reported. The government has cancelled Friday prayers but health workers have complained they are under-equipped. Iran has asked the International Monetary Fund for emergency funding

Coronavirus in the Middle East: Lock down or play down?

Countries such as Kuwait and Israel have instituted virtual lockdowns in the face of COVID-19, while religious gatherings have been limited at a time of year ripe with ritual. Others have been slower to act. By Tom Allinson