ع
Sections
  • Politics
  • Culture & Social Affairs
  • Business & Economy
  • Science & Technology
  • Documents & Memoirs
Regions
  • Gulf
  • MENA
  • Europe
  • USA
  • Asia
  • World
More
  • Videos
  • Cartoons
  • World in photos
  • Infographics
  • Profiles
  • Newsletter

LATEST ISSUE

Latest Issue
Magazine Archive
النسخة العربية
  • Politics
  • Culture & Social Affairs
  • Business & Economy
  • Science & Technology
  • Tag
  • world chess champion

Hard-line religious jurists wanted chess banned, but they lost the argument, not least because it was played and enjoyed by caliphs, ministers and sultans Shutterstock

A thousand years ago, Muslims gave Europe the game of chess

Caliph Harun al-Rashid sent Emperor Charlemagne a beautifully crafted chessboard showing how shared pastimes can be a bridge between peoples

Abdullah Al-Rashid 07 August 2024
  • Popular
  • Editor's Pick
An Iranian holds a picture of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei; Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, killed by an Israeli air strike on September 27, 2024; and Iran Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani, killed by the US in January 2020. ATTA KENARE / AFP
Politics

Israel sharpens its focus amid growing unrest in Iran

11 January 2026

Last year's 12-day war with Iran was ostensibly aimed at its nuclear programme. This time, the regime is significantly weakened, presenting an opportunity Israel may feel it can't miss.

Michael Horowitz
Al Majalla
Politics

The Donroe Doctrine and the new hemispheric order

12 January 2026

How pressure on Venezuela affects Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico

Stefanie Butendieck Hijerra
Government forces patrol the Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood after taking control of the area, following the collapse of an agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF, in Aleppo, Syria, on 10 January 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
Politics

What next for Syria after tenuous Aleppo ceasefire?

10 January 2026

It remains unclear if Damascus's move to kick the Kurds out of Aleppo will pressure the SDF to implement the 10 March deal to integrate its forces into the Syrian army or harden its resolve to resist

Haid Haid
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan (L) gives a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty (R) at Tahrir Palace in the centre of Cairo on September 10, 2024. Khaled DESOUKI / AFP
Politics

Egypt steps up its balancing act amid Yemen rift

08 January 2026

The UAE backs southern Yemenis who want secession, while Saudi Arabia wants a unified Yemen. Egypt also favours unity, but is close to both Gulf states, putting it in a difficult position.

Amr Emam
Al Majalla
Documents & Memoirs

Putin foreshadowed the Ukraine war in 2008 meeting with Bush

06 January 2026

Recently declassified meeting minutes between the two leaders show how Washington was well aware of Moscow's grievances over NATO expansion, but went ahead anyway

Samer Elias

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter

Get the best of Al Majalla, straight to your inbox.

Your newsletter subscriptions are subject to Al Majalla privacy policy and terms and conditions.

OPINIONS

The Donroe Doctrine and the new hemispheric order

Stefanie Butendieck Hijerra
Stefanie Butendieck Hijerra

Habib Abdulrab Sarori: the imperative of progress mirrors religious duty

Ali Almuqri
Ali Almuqri

The ‘Donroe Doctrine’ makes no sense

Stephen M. Walt
Stephen M. Walt

Why this year’s protests in Iran feel different

Ibrahim Hamidi
Ibrahim Hamidi
MORE FROM OPINIONS
logo
  • Politics
  • Culture & Social Affairs
  • Business & Economy
  • Science & Technology
  • Documents & Memoirs
  • Gulf
  • MENA
  • Europe
  • USA
  • Asia
  • World
  • Videos
  • Cartoons
  • World in photos
  • Infographics
  • Profiles
  • About Al Majalla
  • Al Majalla Team
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact us
logo

© Al Majalla Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

0:00:00
0:00:00