As part of a sweeping reform of religious life in Morocco, women have been receiving training as religious counsellors for the first time ever. The intention is that they will assume religious and educational tasks - bhey are not permitted to lead prayers. By Mohamed Massad
The Pope visited Lebanon at a precarious time. The destabilisation of Syria may have given Christians more room to manoeuvre, but they are also being dragged into the conflict between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. Mona Naggar reports from Beirut
Lebanese writer Alawiyya Sobh is one of Arab literature's self-confident voices. She is a writer who mercilessly dissects patriarchal Arab society, exposing the oppression of women, who are always at the centre of her novels. Mona Naggar talked to the author about her most famous novel to date, Maryam of the Stories
Lebanese writer Alawiyya Sobh is one of Arab literature's self-confident voices. She is a writer who mercilessly dissects patriarchal Arab society, exposing the oppression of women, who are always at the centre of her novels. Mona Naggar talked to the author about her most famous novel to date, Maryam of the Stories
Are the values of human rights specific to European civilisation, marking the continent off from other regions of the world? Traugott Schoefthaler takes a critical look at the positions of European think tanks and foundations