The Mantle of Roger II and the Fatimid Festival of Sacrifice

During the Festival of Sacrifice, Fatimid rulers publicly sacrificed a camel. Maribel Fierro discusses the political and religious significance of this ritual, and traces later versions under other dynasties. She argues a visual re-imagination even appears on the mantle of the Norman king of Sicily.

Maribel Fierro • December 09, 2021

The Nile: Between Arab and African Geopolitics

The Ethiopian mega dam on the Nile raises not only hydro-technical disagreement between Egypt and Sudan (downstream countries) and Ethiopia (the source of the Blue Nile); it also underscores latent contested perceptions of Arabs versus Africans. However, the Nile flow transcends this division.

Abeer Abazeed • September 17, 2020

Afghanistan’s Youth: Force of Progress or Future Firebrands?

While Afghanistan has one of the youngest populations, the country’s political scene is still dominated by the powerholders of old: former warlords, tribal strongmen, and religious leaders. Will the youth be a force of modernization or of future conflict?

Jorrit Kamminga • September 03, 2020

Annexation, Delay, and More of the Same: Israel’s Colonisation of Palestine

As Israel delays its annexation of large swathes of the West Bank, Sai Englert discusses its causes and implications.

Sai Englert • August 07, 2020

Politics of Heritage and Heritage of Politics: The Case of the Hagia Sophia

The conversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque is nothing unusual for those who have been closely monitoring Turkey. Still, the knotted web of political conflicts and identity issues surrounding discussions of its role as heritage bespeaks the need to re-visit the concept of heritage itself.

Didem Yerli • July 27, 2020

Jawi Books in Cairo

On a visit to Cairo, Nico Kaptein acquired a number of Jawi books. Kaptein explains why these rare books deserve a closer look: they shed an important light on historical contact between Cairo and South East Asia.

Nico Kaptein • March 01, 2019

Hoe het Drents Museum zich leent voor een Iraans charmeoffensief

In het Drents Museum loopt momenteel de expositie Iran: Bakermat van de beschaving. De tentoonstelling lijkt apolitiek, gericht op schoonheid en niet op ideologie. Maar intussen draagt de expositie bij aan positieve beeldvorming over Iran.

Maaike Warnaar • November 08, 2018

Iran en de Arabische wereld: geboren of gezworen vijanden?

De meeste Arabische regimes staan onverminderd wantrouwig tegenover de Islamitische Republiek Iran. Geen essentiële identiteitsverschillen, maar politieke processen liggen ten grondslag aan de perceptie van vijandschap tussen de Arabische wereld en Iran.

Maaike Warnaar • October 29, 2013

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