The Westerners who fight against ISIS
Richard Jansen was watching the streets, waiting for Islamic State (ISIS) fighters to appear, when a heavy firefight broke out one day in January. “There was shooting like crazy, then … Continue reading
Egypt’s Megafantasies
THE SANDSTORMS that wrap, choke, and blind Cairo in a periodic haze are a reminder of the desert’s proximity. Driving west out of the city, free from the congestion of … Continue reading
Dinamo Mesken: Turkish Football as a Political Football
IN “DINAMO MESKEN,” a multimedia exhibition at Ankara’s SALT Ulus gallery, Turkish artist Ege Berensel tells the story of an amateur football club dragged into Turkey’s political turmoil of the … Continue reading
Children of the revolution: Egypt’s grassroots education movement
CAIRO – Mostafa Wafa, 24, recalls the time he was walking through Saft el-Laban – the tough, mostly informal suburb of Cairo where he lives – when a group of … Continue reading
Syrian refugees in Egypt struggle amid UN funding crisis
As the fourth anniversary of the Syrian uprising passes, reduced support is pushing some Syrian families in Egypt towards dangerous choices. CAIRO – “This place was full of life,” says … Continue reading
Syrian refugees in Egypt: The Assad family
Hossam Assad, a 42-year-old Syrian refugee, says his family lives for Fridays. “This is his favourite time of the week, going to football training,” Hossam tells Al Jazeera, gesturing to … Continue reading
Could Turkish football collapse?
ISTANBUL – Five minutes before kick-off, Deniz Dogruer was nervous. Her beloved Galatasaray – one of Turkey’s most successful football teams – was about to take on Caykur Rizespor in … Continue reading
Egypt’s Ultras: ‘We don’t believe in state justice’
Sunday’s tragic events should be seen in the context of a widespread crackdown on dissent in Egypt, analysts say. For Mohamed*, a 23-year-old member of Ultras White Knights (UWK) – … Continue reading
Beginning to see the light: Shining the sun’s rays into Cairo’s dark streets
Egypt is typically associated with searing sun. Yet, for many people who live in densely packed urban areas, the light scarcely penetrates the narrow streets. “I get about half an … Continue reading
Hidden hell: The growing crisis of female drug addiction in Egypt
On her wedding night 13 years ago, Wafaa found her husband injecting ayoun – a cheap powder-mix found in Egypt that gives users a heroin-like hit. “It’s just something fun,” … Continue reading
Sunset in the black hole: 500 days in prison
CAIRO: “I have been kidnapped and imprisoned, for almost sixteen months now. 500 days in prison, without committing any crime. My family are unable to negotiate my release. I am … Continue reading
