Travel
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Saints of Islam
Capturing the light of sages
For over fifty years, British photographer Peter Sanders travelled across the Middle East and further afield, seeking out the saints of Islam. His work uncovers a little-known world. By Marian Brehmer
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Turkey's Cappadocia – a truly fairytale landscape
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Turkey's Cappadocia – a truly fairytale landscape
The height of geological eccentricity, Cappadocia, set amid the plains of Anatolia in central Turkey, combines fantastical topography with fascinating remnants of human history. By Sugato Mukherjee
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Arabist Tim Mackintosh-Smith
"Reading Arabic is a bit like playing chess"
Tim Mackintosh-Smith's latest book – "Arabs" – reveals how linguistic developments helped and hindered the progress of Arab history. In interview with Qantara.de, he talks to Elisabeth Knoblauch about how, even in today’s politically fractured post–Arab Spring environment, Arabic itself is still a source of unity and disunity
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Life in Iran
Treats and tradition in Tehran's oldest, tiniest teahouse
Tea is a mainstay of popular culture across the Middle East, from Morocco to Qatar. Tucked away in Tehran's Grand Bazaar is arguably the world's tiniest tea shop. The owner's signature brew – "the tea of kndness" – is just one of the many treats awaiting discovery
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The Pikala Bikes initiative in Morocco
More mobility, more confidence, more freedom
In Morocco, the bicycle is considered a poor man's means of transport. What's more, cycling tends to be a male-only affair. The Pikala bike initiative in Marrakesh seeks to change all this. By Marian Brehmer
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The Sufi Trail
Anatolia through the eyes of a pilgrim
The Sufi Trail is a long-distance hiking route from Istanbul to Konya that seeks to revive the ancient tracks used by foot pilgrims on their way to Mecca. Marian Brehmer spoke to the trail's founder and hiking route developer Sedat Cakir
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Caught between tradition and modernity
Will ancient poet Hafez win the "soft war" in Iran?
Iran is far more modern than many people realise: our view is clouded by media distortion and the overriding political narrative. The nation’s historic and cultural riches are often overlooked. A declaration of love for Iran by Marian Brehmer
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Non-fiction: Taran Khan's "Shadow City"
Taking a fresh look at Kabul and the Afghan people
Penned by Indian journalist Taran Khan and thus devoid of the customary Western perspective, "Shadow City" presents a refreshing portrait of this long-suffering, multi-layered city. By Marian Brehmer
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Uncovering Portugalʹs Islamic roots
Where Christians pray facing Mecca
Archaeologists in Mertola have spent the last 40 years looking for traces of Portugalʹs Islamic past. What they found shows that Islam is not alien to Europe and has in fact deeply influenced Portuguese history and culture. By Marta Vidal
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Around the world of Islam
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Book review: Bettany Hughes' "Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities"
Cementing the Orientalist legacy
Over the course of over 800 pages, the British historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes paints a dazzling picture of the history of Istanbul. Using vibrant and vivid language, she describes wars and battles, eunuchs and harems, but says little about everyday life in Istanbul or how the city grew and evolved. Ulrich von Schwerin read the book