Arab world
All topics-
Aziza Brahim's "Mawja"
The voice of Western Sahara
Aziza Brahim's childhood as a Sahrawi refugee in Algeria naturally shaped her music, but as her latest album, "Mawja" shows, while she has not forgotten where she comes from, she has long since tuned her ears to a world beyond the camp perimeters
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Reform Islam
Transcending the secular-sacred divide
Sherman Jackson's "The Islamic Secular" makes a compelling case for an alternative understanding of 'secular', which is neither outside religion nor a rival to it
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A year of war in Sudan
"We haven't lived in dignity for a long time"
In her debut novel "A Mouth Full of Salt", Sudanese author and physician Reem Gaafar tells the intertwined stories of three women who are confronted with injustice. A conversation about responsible writing, role models and the forgotten war in Sudan
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Arab Film Festival in Berlin
Spotlighting Palestinian voices
As the Israel-Hamas war impacts Germany's cultural sector, the organisers of the ALFILM festival fear for the future of their event
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Middle East conflict
Qatar won't be pressured by the West
Criticism by U.S. politicians of the emirate's role in the Middle East conflict have ruffled feathers in Doha. Rulers now say they'll reassess their mediator role between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas – thereby sending a warning to Washington
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Political transition wishful thinking in Libya?
"Dangerous status quo" – UN Special Envoy resigns
After "stubborn resistance" by Libya's major political stakeholders, Abdoulaye Bathily, the UN special envoy for Libya, has resigned. Analysts say his replacement will need to disrupt the "dangerous" status quo
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Iran drone attacks
Why did some Arab countries help Israel?
Some analysts saw the fact that Arab nations helped Israel and the U.S. repel a major Iranian attack as cause for celebration. Countries like Jordan have, however, more complicated motivations for coming to Israel's aid
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Gender equality in Egypt
The impact of empowering women
Egypt's personal status law has always sparked a wide range of reactions within society, particularly when it comes to women's rights
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ICJ "genocide" case brought against Germany
Berlin's unconditional support for Israel
Nicaragua has brought a case before the International Court of Justice in The Hague aiming to end Germany's ongoing support for Israel, claiming it violates the Genocide Convention. The outcome is likely to be historic
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The story of a young artist in Gaza
When the pain begins to draw
Drawing on the walls of buildings in the Gaza Strip is a way for 21-year-old artist Menna Hamouda to express the trauma inflicted by five months of pain and destruction
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Contemporary Algerian music
A Franco-Arabic acoustic duet
Djazia Satour is one of the most eminent Algerian vocalists of our time. Her new stage project sees her performing her songs in a duo setting with pianist Pierre-Luc Jamain and bringing to life the sounds and tonal colour of her childhood home.
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War propaganda in Israel and the Arab world
Spewing poison in both directions
In addition to the actual warfare in Gaza, another, lesser known burden is weighing on the prospects for a better future in the Middle East. Influential media channels are lending support to the most radical forces on both sides of the conflict