Author: Philipp Breu

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Barrels of whisky in the cellars of the Murree Brewery in Rawalpindi, Pakistan (photo: Philipp Breu)

Rawalpindi's Murree brewery

Beer and whisky made in Pakistan

To many the name of Pakistan calls up images of Islamic extremism, religious intolerance, state corruption and the long years of terror. It’s probably safe to say that single malt whisky, half a dozen brands of beer and a 120-year-old brewing tradition are unlikely to be near the top of anyone’s word association list. By Philipp BreuMore

Beer from the Holy Land: Kosher and halalLebanese vineyards: Wine-making is an artAlcohol consumption in Islamic countries: The devil's brew in great demand
Operation in a hospital run by Medecins sans Frontieres in Amman (photo: Philipp Breu)

Helping the Middle Eastʹs war-wounded

The hospital for all wars

In a Jordanian clinic, doctors have been treating patients from across the Middle East for more than a decade. It's a place that has seen the suffering caused by five wars. Philipp Breu paid the hospital a visitMore

Disabled refugee children in Jordan: The lesser-known victims of warSyria's civil war: The emotional scars of the refugee childrenBushra al-Maqtariʹs "Voices from a forgotten war-torn country": Yemenʹs chronicles of death and destruction untold
Pilgrims receive a blessing at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar (photo: Philipp Breu)

Visiting the Sufis in Sehwan Sharif

Defying the extremists

It is over a year since an IS suicide bomber blew himself up at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, claiming the lives of at least 88 people. Followers of the Sufi order, however, remain stubbornly defiant. Philipp Breu reports from Sehwan SharifMore

Sufis targeted in Pakistan: The dance goes onCombatting violent extremism: Could Sufi Islam be the cure-all?Qantara dossier: "Islamic mysticism | Sufism"
A man stands in the martyrs' section of Isfahan cemetery (photo: Philipp Breu)

Iran′s ″Holy Defence″

Dulce et decorum est...

Iran has many museums dedicated to its rich history. Nevertheless, those places that focus on events during which Iranians and other prominent 'Defenders of Islam' lost their lives, enjoy special status. By Philipp BreuMore

Interview with Iran expert Bahman Nirumand: "Everyone believed Khomeini's promises"Interview with Iranian dissident Abolhassan Banisadr: Selling the revolution onBook review: Mehrnousch Zaeri-Esfahani's "33 Arches and a Teahouse": A million butterflies in my headThe influence of Iran′s religious foundations: Faith and profit enshrined
View of the Makki Mosque roof. In the foreground a student from the Jamiah Darul Uloom University is seen using his mobile. In the background is one of the minarets which the authorities recently had shortened (photo: Philipp Breu)

Sunnis in Iran

The Zahedan network

Zahedan, the capital of Sistan and Balochistan Province, is one of the few Iranian cities with a Sunni majority population. Here, Sunnis can still practise their faith in relative freedom. Recently, however, the city has become a focus for radical Sunni groups. Philipp Breu reports from ZahedanMore

Iran-Saudi conflict: Playing the sectarian cardMinorities in the Islamic Republic: Fear of SeparatistsThe Baloch community in Pakistan and Iran: A forgotten conflict that is very much alive