Sharia courts observe laws of war and instability
On October 8, 2015, Faris and his business partner Rajab travelled outside their city of Kfar Nabel on business. As they returned, robbers attacked them.
By the time police forces arrived at the scene, Faris was already dead. His partner Rajab was seriously wounded and bleeding heavily; he was rushed to hospital, but died before he could give the police his statement.
An investigation was launched and three months later five men were arrested, some with criminal records for fraud and embezzlement.
According to statements taken from the defendants, a man named Abi Rajab had planned the attack on Faris and Rajab. All five men are now in prison awaiting the verdict of the Ahrar al-Sham court.
Continue reading on Damascus Bureau
The fantasy of the past: a conversation with graphic novelist Lamia Ziade
Beirut-born, Paris-based Lamia Ziade’s new Francophone graphic novel tells the story of the golden years of Arab song and film through the lives of larger-than-life divas like Oum Kalthoum, Asmahan, and Fayruz.
Along the way, we encounter literary legends like Ahmed Ramy, revolutionary leaders like Gamal Abdel Nasser, and swollen capitalists like Talaat Harb, whose all-Egyptian Studio Misr produced much of the music and film defining an era of soaring cultural self-confidence.
Continue reading on Mada Masr
Turkey's president and the 'treason' of family planning
In the past 72 hours, international media coverage of Turkey has been replete with headlines such as “Go forth and multiply: Turkey President Erdogan warns Muslims”; “Turkey’s Erdogan warms Muslims against birth control”; “Family planning not for Muslims, says Turkey’s President”; and “Turkey’s Erdogan: No Muslim family should engage in birth control”.
This is what President Erdogan likes to call “New Turkey”, and for women civic campaigners, it is a highly problematic one.
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