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Life in a war zone

It is his third novel – and the darkest one to date: in "Red Birds", Mohammed Hanif, the well-known Pakistani novelist and author, makes us re-think our Western notions about everyday life in a conflict setting. Interview by Claudia Kramatschek

Mirna Bamieh delves into Palestinian cuisine

Iranian Maryam Ghadiri rediscovers pride in her heritage

"Smile": The Joker as a new protest figure?

Moustache masks of the British conspirator Guy Fawkes are worn by demonstrators all over the world. Now, inspired by the new feature film, the comic book villain Joker is to be found among protesters in Lebanon and elsewhere. Psychogram of a green-haired anti-hero with a clown face. By Johannes Schmitt-Tegge

Where once the Buddhas kept watch

Building bridges with Islam in Japan

With hoodies and scarves covering their heads, a group of Japanese high school students point and whisper in awe upon entering the main hall of Tokyo Camii, as Muslim worshippers prostrate beneath a glittering dome set against a bright sky.

The Separatism of the Southern Provinces

Thailand's Southern provinces have a long separatist tradition. But whereas in the 1960s and 70s the opposition to Bangkok was mainly leftist, it has now turned Islamist. Henriette Wrege talked to Farish Noor, Islam expert and political scientist

Religion scholar Karen Armstrong wins top Spanish award

Dialogue for Young People

An Al Jazeera staff member at the children's channel KI.KA or a German photographer at a Lebanese art association. Both are possible thanks to the project CrossCulture Internships, which has been run by the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations since 2004. Mona Naggar introduces the project

Fighting Afghanistan's brain drain

Initiated by young Afghans, the "Afghanistan Needs You" campaign aims to stem the tide of those leaving the country. Their message: stay and invest in all our futures.