Political Islam

Bassam Hammoud the vice president of the Jamaa Islamiya in Lebanon, brandishes a rifle as he delivers a speech during a demonstration in Sidon in southern Lebanon on July 19, 2024, a day after an Israeli strike in the Bekaa region killed Mohammed Hamed Jabara, the commander of the Hamas-allied group in Lebanon. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Lebanon's Jamaa Islamiya in spotlight as US moves to designate Muslim Brotherhood

The Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, is a major Sunni political party in the country. But its armed wing has repeatedly attacked Israel during the war with Hezbollah, putting the group under US scrutiny.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

An Israel Air Force F-35 fighter lands during the "Blue Flag" multinational air defence exercise at the Ovda air force base, north of Eilat, Israel, Oct. 24, 2021.

Analysis

Trump’s Saudi F-35 deal jolts Israel’s security elite, weakens Netanyahu

The expected sale to Saudi Arabia of American stealth F-35 jets, as well as their sale to Turkey, deeply worries Israel’s security apparatus.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Saudi's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheikh (C) leads prayer at the funeral on Feb. 6, 2008, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia, Muslim world mourn passing of grand mufti

Leaders from Muslim nations and other countries across the world offered their condolences to Saudi Arabia on the death of Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh, who served for more than 20 years during a period of major political and social change in the kingdom.

Flags of Jordan and the Muslim Brotherhood are waved with other protest signs denouncing the US-led Middle East economic conference in Bahrain, in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on June 21, 2019.

Jordan summons suspects accused of holding Muslim Brotherhood assets: What to know

The Hashemite Kingdom has taken a number of legal actions against the Islamist organization since banning them in April.

Latest News

Jordan targets charities for alleged Muslim Brotherhood ties: What to know

Supporters of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood take part in a protest in the village of Sweimeh.

Syria’s Sharaa in UAE seeking investments amid Israel talks push

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received His Excellency Ahmad Al-Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, who is on a working visit to the country.

United Arab Emirates

Rebuking 5-year sentence, France urges Algeria to pardon Sansal: What to know

RICCARDO MILANI/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's Erdogan vows justice amid rage over alleged Prophet Muhammad cartoon

Protesters hold placards as they demonstrate against cartoonists of a satirical magazine following allegations that it had published a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed, outside Taksim mosque in Istanbul on July 1, 2025.

Erdogan Qurashi

Analysis

From political Islam to illiberal nationalism: the MENA states' war for hearts and minds

Islamist parties are falling out of favor across the region, as leaders hope to offer economic benefits combined with authoritarianism.

Gilles Kepel

By Gilles Kepel

A man walks inside a liquor shop in Baghdad on February 23, 2023. (Photo by MURTAJA LATEEF/AFP via Getty Images)

'Iraq is not an Islamic country': Minorities protest Baghdad's alcohol ban as unconstitutional

The Iraqi government's renewed effort to prohibit alcohol is not only worrisome for Christian and Yazidi minorities, but also raises constitutionality questions.

A man waits for news of his loved ones, believed to be trapped under collapsed building on February 08, 2023 in Hatay, Turkey. A 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit near Gaziantep, Turkey, in the early hours of Monday, followed by another 7.5-magnitude tremor just after midday. The quakes caused widespread destruction in southern Turkey and northern Syria and were felt in nearby countries. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)

Turkey's earthquake spikes Europe's fears of Middle East flare-ups

The Turkish-Syrian border area at large remains one of the world’s geopolitical quagmires, a major epicenter of tensions and fault lines that run throughout the Middle East toward Europe.

Gilles Kepel

By Gilles Kepel

Far-right politician Rasmus Paludan holds up a Koran copy as he speaks in front of a mosque in Copenhagen, on January 27, 2023. - Turkey summoned Denmark's ambassador on January 27, 2023 to condemn a protest at which far-right extremist Paludan burned the Koran over Ankara's refusal to let Sweden and Finland join NATO. (Photo by SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty Images)

Sweden blocks Quran-burning protest

Turkey came out against Sweden’s NATO bid after a far-right activist burned a Quran outside the Turkish embassy last month. Sweden is now seeking to resume dialogue over the issue.

Activists of radical anti-blasphemy party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan burn a Swedish flag as they protest against the burning of the Koran in Sweden, in Karachi on January 27, 2023. - Several thousand people rallied in Muslim-majority Pakistan after Friday prayers to voice outrage over right-wing protests targeting the Koran in Sweden and the Netherlands. (Photo by ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)

After Sweden, tension on Islam between Europe and Middle East hits dangerous crossroad

Gilles Kepel

By Gilles Kepel

Egyptian women wear full-face veils in al-Montazah district of Egypt's second city of Alexandria on March 26, 2018.

Culture

More Egyptian women reject hijab

The hijab in Egypt has always been a matter of controversy.

Fatih Ardıç - Maskot Ettin Beni

Turkish imam loses his job over lyrics criticizing government

Demotion of an imam over a protest song comes as another sign of the expanding intolerant climate in Turkey ahead of June elections.

A supporter of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Headscarf debate returns to Turkish politics at initiative of secularist opposition

The CHP becomes proactive against Erdogan's "religious populist games."

A boy looks on during a candlelight vigil to pay tribute to those who have died protesting the death of Mahsa Amini.

Iran says average age of arrested protesters is 15

According to Iranian authorities, those protesting Mahsa Amini's death are some of the youngest ever seen in the country.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi.

Iranian government intensifies crackdown

Iran has arrested three of its most prominent filmmakers.

Turkish Presidential Press Office/Getty Images

Prominent sheikh’s funeral exposes Turkey’s secular-religious divide

The funeral of a prominent religious leader has showcased the growing influence of religious groups in Turkey.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Turkish government discovers 'astroturfing'

Seemingly acting on social media calls, the Turkish government cracks down on the secular lifestyle, experts warn.