Author: Mey Dudin

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Arab women′s rights groups demonstrate on International Women′s Day in Cairo (photo: dpa/picture-alliance)

Women′s rights in the Arab world

The key to change

Occasionally periods of social regression and progressive developments occur simultaneously. After all, among the many catastrophic reports emerging from the Arab world there are also a few glimmers of hope – for women. Report by Mey DudinMore

Violence against women: Young Arab men fight for women′s rightsAzza Soliman, an Egyptian feminist at risk: "What has Azza done?"Morocco's abortion ban: Acknowledging reality
Banned editions of ″Mein Kampf″ in Arabic (photo: dpa/picture-alliance)

Translating ″Mein Kampf″ into Arabic

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Hitler′s paperchase

How the Third Reich′s plans to translate ″Mein Kampf″ into Arabic led to the creation of one of the most famous Arabic dictionaries. By Mey DudinMore

The Arabs and Nazi Germany: Collaborators and antagonistsPalestine and National Socialism: Correcting the pictureNational Socialism: Are Arabs turning a blind eye to history?
Rebetiko performance by singer Manolis Dimitrianakis in the Hamam Club, Petralona, Athens (photo: Mey Dudin)

Rebetiko between East and West

Melancholy makes a comeback

The music traces its origins back to a refugee tragedy and is a melange of Orient and Occident. The Greek blues known as rebetiko has experienced a comeback since the country's economic crisis. Mey Dudin reports from AthensMore

Portrait: the singer Cigdem Aslan: Songs of the outcastsThe Tabadoul Orchestra: Worldwide "Wahab"World music from Istanbul: Light in Babylon: Ambassadors of peace
What remains of the al-Hadba minaret belonging to Mosul′s 12th century Great Al-Nuri Mosque (photo: Reuters)

Cultural heritage in Syria and Iraq

Casualties of war

The wealth of cultural sites strewn throughout present day Syria and Iraq bear ample witness to the fact that this area was once revered as the cradle of civilisation – sadly, many of these sites have fallen victim to war, violence and looting. By Mey DudinMore

Islamic State′s destruction of Mosul: Razed to the ground Between Tigris and Euphrates: Mesopotamia: the cradle of civilisation Destruction of historic sites: Syria is losing its history
Muslims praying during Eid ul-Adha celebrations at the Al-Huda Islamic Centre in Athens (photo: picture-alliance/AP)

Islam in Greece

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A mosque for Athens

Until now, Muslims living in the Greek capital have had to pray on private premises. The first official mosque is due to open in May – after decades of stalling tactics by the Orthodox Christian nation. Mey Dudin reports from AthensMore

Qantara dossier: "Islam in Europe"The Pomaks: Caught in a three-way tug-of-warSyriac Orthodox Christians in Turkey: ''This is simply our home''
Hassan Nasrallah′s tattoo in Beirut (photo: Marwan Tahtah/DW)

Tattoo trends from Beirut to Baghdad

In the spirit of rebellion

For some it's about following a trend; for others, tattoos are a symbol of their faith, but whatever the reason, the fashion for stylish tattoos is fuelling a growing subculture across the Arab world. By Mey DudinMore

Islamic streetwear from the German ''Styleislam'' label: Modern, rebellious, and pleasing in the sight of GodPunks and Sharia law in Indonesia: The mohawk crusadeIslam 2.0: Hajj pilgrimage enters digital age
Stacks of Aleppo soap in a factory in Aleppo′s Old Town (photo: Reuters)

Aleppo soap

Balsam from a war zone

Although the mere mention of the city of Aleppo conjures up images of war and destruction, Aleppo soap is flying off the shelves in Germany's organic shops and supermarkets. But how does this popular product get from war-torn Syria to Germany? And is it really made in Aleppo? By Mey DudinMore

Reconstruction of Aleppo: ″Others destroy and we rebuild″Churches in Syria after the fall of East Aleppo: Time for a new beginningSyria's cultural heritage under threat: "Virtually nothing is left"
Huma Abedin (photo: Mike Blake/Reuters)

US presidential elections

Huma Abedin – the woman in the shadows

Huma Abedin, long-time aide to Hillary Clinton, is someone who prefers to remain in the background. The current election campaign has seen her dragged reluctantly into the limelight however – and confronted her with sex scandals and terror threats. By Mey DudinMore

Snowden revelations: NSA spied on prominent US MuslimsUS presidential election: Ever the aliensNoam Chomsky in interview: Obama's sangfroid
Egyptian democracy activists on Tahrir Square in Cairo, December 2011 (photo: DW/Hebatallah Ismail Hafez)

Tahrir Square's democracy activists

The forgotten heroes

Egypt's activists were once the heroes of Tahrir Square. Then the world forgot them – and all other Arab democrats along with them. Authoritarian states and Salafists are not giving them any leeway. By Mey DudinMore

Egypt's economic and fiscal crisis: Rescuing the sinking shipAl-Sisi, Raba′a and al-Nahda: Egypt′s grim harvestSisi and the European Union: The long arm of the dictator
Dubai′s Crown Prince, Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (photo: Getty Images/AFP/M. Naamani)

Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum

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Dubai′s fairytale prince

Dubai's Crown Prince is a star on Instagram. With some 3.5 million subscribers, he has long since overtaken royals such as Prince William and Kate. Moreover he emphasises Islamic values. Yet for all the glamour and posturing, there′s no denying that the Emirate keeps a tight rein on freedom of speech. By Mey DudinMore

Dubai feels the effects of the financial crisis: Winds of change on Dubai's cultural scenePanama Paper revelations: The Emirs of PanamaGlobal strategies for combating Islamic State: The intellectual battle against IS

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Land of nomads and desert: Mauritaniaʹs extremely hot and arid climate explains its very low population density. In 2009, the country had just 4 million inhabitants spread over 1 million square kilometres. The Adrar plateau, located in the north of the country near Atar, is known for its gorges and dunes

Mauritania, land of desert and contrasts

Mauritania straddles the transition between the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa, its population is equally divided between Africans and Arabs. Berber women carefully veil themselves with colourful 'melhafas', their feet decorated with henna, while Wolof women show off their beautiful skin glistening with shea butter. By Pascal Mannaerts (www.parcheminsdailleurs.com)