Asharq Al-Awsat Editorial

Editorial desk and wire-service reports (AFP, Reuters, AP) as published in the Asharq Al-Awsat English Edition. This archive preserves the original text (2005–2017); attribution appears in the article dateline where provided by the source.

54082 articles

Opinion: Hijab, Niqab and the Burkini

What distinguishes the west from the rest of the world is its respect for the principle of freedom; it believes in it as a culture and commits to it in constitutions that governments and citizens adhere to. For this reason, France’s highest administrative court, the State Council, intervened and con

Libyan Forces Prepare for Liberation of Sirte

Cairo – Libya’s pro-Government of National Accord (GNA) forces announced on Monday they are fortifying their control over ISIS’ stronghold in Sirte, after heavy fighting that left dozens dead and wounded. U.N. secretary-general’s special representative for Libya Martin Kobler expressed h

Burkini and the Non-Religious Extremism

The case of Burkini has emerged in France after the decision to ban swimming suits worn by Muslim women in 30 municipalities in the country. This ban provoked a wide debate in France and in the worldwide media; it has also renewed arguments in Paris on secularism and religious freedom. The ban of bu