Society

Syrian reconstruction

"Debris isn't waste"

Concrete, brick, steel: Aref al-Swaidani wants to rebuild Syria from its ruins. In Weimar he’s conducting research on recycling building materials.
By Aref al-Swaidani
"Nostra Aetate" at 60

A landmark for Muslim-Christian understanding

Six decades on, the message of mutual respect between faiths, enshrined in the Catholic Church's "Nostra Aetate", feels as urgent as ever. It's a reminder that dialogue is not naïve, but necessary.
By Zeyneb Sayılgan
Islamic education in Germany

Under constant scrutiny

Islamic religious education is neither a threat to democracy nor a cure-all. What dedicated teachers really need is recognition of their role.
By Raida Chbib
Deported from Germany

Yazidi survivors confront the harsh reality of return

Thousands of Yazidis fled IS genocide and found refuge in Germany. Now, many have been ordered to return to Iraq, where they face dire living conditions, shattered infrastructure and the threat of further violence.
By Hannah Wallace
"The Misguided Islam Debate" by Teseo La Marca

A plea for a pluralistic Islam

In his new book, Teseo La Marca argues that Germany's debate on Islam swings between extremes and calls for more nuance as an antidote to fundamentalism. But does he practise what he preaches?
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Syrian activist The Darvish

"Queerness is freedom and freedom is indivisible"

Belly dancer and queer organiser The Darvish arrived in Berlin in 2016, where they found a welcoming community and room for self-expression. But they warn that, as German politics shifts to the right, this community is under threat and its spaces are vanishing.
By Ahmed Lamloum
Syria's shadow economy

Sex work, captagon and currency

Having grown significantly during the war, Syria's informal market for sex, drugs and money continues to thrive. Meanwhile, weak regulation is discouraging investment in the formal economy.
By Ahmed Mohamed
Egypt's TikTok crackdown

Suzy el-Ordoneya and the politics of social media fame

A police crackdown in Egypt is targeting TikTok influencers. Among them is Suzy el-Ordoneya (Suzy the Jordanian), whose rapid rise has brought her into conflict with official state morality.
By Ahmed El-Gammal
Kafr Nabl, Syria

Traces of the revolution

When the Syrian revolution began in 2011, Kafr Nabl went from a sleepy, provincial town to a hub of resistance. Today, it resembles a ghost town. Its story may help ensure the revolution's original ideals are not forgotten.
By Kristin Helberg
Economic hardship in Sudan

War demands unconvential strategies

As the war continues in Sudan, survival has become a daily test of resilience for millions in the country. Business has to adapt and focuses on necessities: food, electricity, fuel and internet.
By Jawhratelkmal Kanu
Palestinian podcast hosts

"No peace without justice and collective liberation"

Amira Mohammed and Ibrahim Abu Ahmad launched "Unapologetic: The Third Narrative" after 7 October to platform both Palestinian and Israeli voices. Now, ahead of season two, they explain why nonviolent activism remains at the heart of their work.
By Anna-Theresa Bachmann
Public space in Egypt

Cairo is becoming unwalkable

Cairo's footpaths are disappearing, its public spaces are shrinking and its trees are being uprooted to make way for car-focused infrastructure and urban sprawl. For pedestrians, the city has become a hostile place.
By Rehab Eliawa