Amanda Leigh Lichtenstein

Digital Editor/Reporter

The World

Amanda Leigh Lichtenstein is a digital editor and writer from Skokie, Illinois (USA). Her writing on arts, culture, religion, spirituality, education and global politics appears in Al Jazeera English, CNN-Explore Parts Unknown, Atlas Obscura, National Public Radio, BRIGHT, Selamta, Saveur, Hemispheres, and PassBlue, among others. Amanda served as the regional editor for sub-Saharan Africa with Global Voices and was based in Zanzibar for 10 years before moving back to the Midwest. 

Lt. Col. Manuel E. Lichtenstein interacts with children in southern Italy, 1945.

American World War II doctor in Italy captures scenes of wartime beyond the front lines 

Lt. Col. Manuel E. Lichtenstein was a doctor in southern Italy during World War II. He met with top generals and won prestigious awards. Stories about his three harrowing years there were passed down in his family. But an old box of photos he took — of simple moments with everyday people — reveal a different view of life during wartime, away from the front lines.

American World War II doctor in Italy captures scenes of wartime beyond the front lines 
Traveling monks work on a sand mandala at Lake Street Church in Evanston, Illinois.

Tibetan monks on tour in US as China continues to restrict religion in Tibet

Tibetan monks on tour in US as China continues to restrict religion in Tibet
podium

World’s faith leaders convene to ‘fight against authoritarianism’

World’s faith leaders convene to ‘fight against authoritarianism’
The common house is the heart of the Hallingelille ecovillage community in rural Ringsted, Denmark.

A ‘green road’ leads displaced Ukrainians to shelter in ecovillages

A ‘green road’ leads displaced Ukrainians to shelter in ecovillages
Students at the International People's College head off to class.

Danish folk high schools offer lessons in peace in times of war

Danish folk high schools offer lessons in peace in times of war
At Copenhagen's central train station, Ukraine's flag wave side by side with Denmark's flag in a sign of solidarity seen all over the city.

Denmark welcomes Ukrainians under special law — with an expiration date

Denmark passed a special law last year that allows Ukrainians to bypass the asylum system and expedite the process of obtaining a two-year residency permit. But when the law expires in 2024, it remains unclear whether Denmark’s centrist government — with its overall, hard-line stance against immigration — will extend these temporary protections for Ukrainians.

Denmark welcomes Ukrainians under special law — with an expiration date
"The Glass Castle," by Dmytro Moldovanov, seen at "The Muses are Not Silent" exhibition at Ukraine House in Denmark, Copenhagen, May 17, 2023.

'The muses are not silent': Ukraine House in Denmark offers space for arts, cultural exchange and dialogue

Ukraine House in Denmark opened its doors on Feb. 24 this year, on the one-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine, with the aim to promote Ukraine's cultural heritage and organize creative Danish-Ukrainian collaborations.

'The muses are not silent': Ukraine House in Denmark offers space for arts, cultural exchange and dialogue
Amma embraces a devotee surrounded by others in orange and white robes

A small, Catholic, Midwestern farming town embraces an Indian ‘hugging saint’

Devotees believe that a single hug from Amma — known as a “universal mother” plugged into a divine, infinite energy source — can heal the world.

A small, Catholic, Midwestern farming town embraces an Indian ‘hugging saint’
Two medical staff wear face masks at hospital.

DR Congo Ebola outbreak spreads to neighboring Uganda, activating rapid preparedness response

After a boy and his grandmother traveling from DR Congo into Uganda die from Ebola, these cases confirm fears that the Ebola virus could spread from DR Congo to Uganda, due to frequent, informal and porous cross-border migration.

DR Congo Ebola outbreak spreads to neighboring Uganda, activating rapid preparedness response
yoga

A Zanzibar 'divorce advocate' says marriage is making women sick

Ayda Abdallah has been practicing and teaching yoga for the last eight years, focusing her attention on women in crisis who struggle with their mental health.

A Zanzibar 'divorce advocate' says marriage is making women sick