Ottoman Empire

The last Caliph Abdelmejid II in Nice, France, during his exile.

This day in history: Turkey abolishes the Caliphate

On this day 100 years ago, President Kemal Ataturk abolished the Muslim Caliphate in Turkey 14 months after doing away with the title of sultan

Sami Moubayed 03 March 2024

The treaty which gave rise to modern Turkey created a new world order which was outdated from the start. The Kurds ended up getting the shortest end of the stick.

Albane Simon

Lausanne centenary: The treaty that continues to pain the region

The treaty which gave rise to modern Turkey created a new world order which was outdated from the start. The Kurds ended up getting the shortest end of the stick.

Al Majalla - London 22 July 2023

Sami Moubayed Archive

Abdul Rahman al-Yusuf: The Syrian pasha who was killed three times

The president of the Shura Council during Ottoman rule was assassinated and purposely left out of Syrian history. The burning down of his family mansion this week was the final nail in his coffin.

Sami Moubayed 20 July 2023

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The first Arab Congress of 1913 and its tragic outcome

The 110th anniversary of the first Arab Congress in Paris sheds light on a tumultuous era in Arab history as its people battled for reform under the Ottoman Empire. However, it had a tragic ending.

Sami Moubayed 23 June 2023

The architects of the 1913 coup were officers from the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP)

Jamie Wignall

The coup that brought down the Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman coups inspired similar coups against leaders in Iran, Iraq and Syria

Sami Moubayed 28 February 2023

Al-Alfy Street in downtown Cairo. (Credit: Salwa Samir)

Al-Alfy: Egypt’s Champs-Elysées

During his reign, Khedive Ismail (r. 1863-1879) had dreamt to make downtown Cairo resemble the European countries that underwent remarkable progress in the field of architecture at that time…

Salwa Samir 14 January 2023

The stage consists of a round wooden platform as a stage surrounded by a small wooden partition with two doors for the dervishes to enter and leave before and after their Mawlawi performance. (Credit: Salwa Samir)

Takiya Al-Mawlawiyah

Takiya Al-Mawlawiyah, in Cairo’s historic neighbourhood of El-Darb El-Ahmar, is the only remaining Takiya with dervish theater. It has a rich history that dates back to the 14th century. Takiya…

Salwa Samir 06 August 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) shake hands after a press conference in Sochi, Russia, where they agreed on the ten points of the Russian-Turkish memorandum on northeast Syria/AP

How Did Ankara Succeed in Luring Moscow into Mediation with Ukraine?

Offers of political mediation between Russia and Ukraine have not stopped since the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis in 2014 and the tragic events that followed, reaching their climax these days,…

Samy Amara 01 April 2022

Cover of "Stories My Father Told Me" By Elia Zughaib and Helen Zughaib

Memories from Syria

The recent Syrian immigration to the West after the start of the civil war was not the first, although it has been massive in scale, and involved utmost cruelty. The first wave was during the end of…

Mohammad Ali Salih 04 February 2022

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Al Majalla examines the repercussions of Hamas's attack on Israel, which set into motion a series of significant changes and power shifts in the Middle East

Al Majalla - London

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) visits the polling station where members of Syrian local committees have been casting their votes to select members of an interim parliament, in Damascus on October 5, 2025.

LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

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Cheers and jeers as Syria votes in first post-Assad parliament

06 October 2025

Only 4% of 119 members selected in the indirect vote were women, and only two Christians, sparking concerns about inclusivity and fairness. Meanwhile, voting was postponed in Druze and Kurdish areas.

Subhi Franjieh

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Allies' anger over Gaza tests US support for Israel

03 October 2025

Trump may be willing to accept global isolation to keep supporting Israel, but at some point, he may conclude that he isn't getting enough from Netanyahu in return

Christopher Phillips

A shopkeeper looks out through a window displaying replicas of football trophies at a gift shop in Souq Waqif bazaar in Doha on July 24, 2025.

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Qatar’s economic resilience and the road ahead

07 October 2025

Qatar is positioning itself not only to weather external shocks, but to thrive in a changing global environment

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Culture & Social Affairs

Morocco's influence on Matisse

02 October 2025

The famed painter (1869-1954) found both himself and the inspiration he needed in two visits to Tangier in the early 20th century, the effects of which are still very evident.

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LATEST ISSUE

This day in history: Turkey abolishes the Caliphate

Lausanne centenary: The treaty that continues to pain the region

Abdul Rahman al-Yusuf: The Syrian pasha who was killed three times

The first Arab Congress of 1913 and its tragic outcome

The coup that brought down the Ottoman Empire

Al-Alfy: Egypt’s Champs-Elysées

Takiya Al-Mawlawiyah

How Did Ankara Succeed in Luring Moscow into Mediation with Ukraine?

Memories from Syria

Two years after October 7

Cheers and jeers as Syria votes in first post-Assad parliament

Allies' anger over Gaza tests US support for Israel

Qatar’s economic resilience and the road ahead

Morocco's influence on Matisse

OPINIONS

Türkiye poised to strengthen its hand in the Eastern Mediterranean

Qatar’s economic resilience and the road ahead

Morocco’s Gen Z takes to the streets demanding change

Will Lebanon miss its chance at good ties with Syria?

Ottoman Empire

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