Society

Persecution of the Yazidis in Iraq

Don't abandon us!

In Iraq, not only are the Yazidi people being persecuted by IS, their sacred sites are also being destroyed by the jihadists. The Yazidis are now responding by forming troops of fighters to protect these sites. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
The Arabic language

A better understanding

Arabic is spoken in 22 countries, but people from different countries don't necessarily understand each other. The language is split up into numerous dialects, some of which are mutually unintelligible. The Arab spring went a long way towards unifying the way Arabic is used in everyday life. Translators are working on an online dictionary to help standardise the language for business purposes. By Charlotte Schmitz and Guido Zebisch
By Charlotte Schmitz, Guido Zebisch
Interview with war photographer Christoph Bangert

The naked brutality of war

The photographer and journalist Christoph Bangert has published a book of photographs that his editors refused to use. All of them highlight the horror of war. His book, "War Porn", is an appeal not to look away from the brutality of armed conflict. Monika Griebeler spoke to him about his work and his book
By Monika Griebeler
Trauma therapy for victims of violence in Arab countries

Tortured, humiliated and voiceless

Traumatised victims of violence and war in Arab countries are now finding psychological help in Germany. The unusual thing about the therapy is that their therapists never see their faces; sessions take place anonymously over the Internet. By Iris Mostegel
By Iris Mostegel
Portrait of the theologian Rabeya Muller

Equality in the name of Islam

The women's movement within Islam is gaining momentum worldwide. One of the most influential German Muslim women in this respect is the theologian Rabeya Muller. With her clear views and breaks with taboo, she is pushing for change within the Muslim community in Germany
By Ulrike Hummel
The emancipation of men with Turkish roots

A closed society viewed from inside

Men in Germany with Turkish roots are starting to break their silence and talk about their problems and how to overcome them in self-help groups and on stage. These "Supermen" have also now made their debut in Turkish literature. By Astrid Kaminski
By Astrid Kaminski
Women in Libya

High hopes brutally dashed

The 2011 revolution raised Libyan women's hopes that they could in future play a more active role in society and politics, leading to the establishment of many women's rights groups. However, the militias' power games and ongoing violence are putting the progress achieved thus far at risk. By Valerie Stocker
By Valerie Stocker
Interview with Norwegian doctor Mads Gilbert

"Nobody is safe in Gaza"

Professor of Medicine at the University of Tromso, Norway, Mads Gilbert is currently working at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. He has been volunteering in Gaza on and off for the last 17 years and recently submitted a report to the UN on the state of the health sector in Gaza. In this interview with Roma Rajpal Weiss, Gilbert describes the present situation at the hospital and in Gaza
By Roma Rajpal Weiss
The Jewish community in Tunisia

"Everything is ok; we don't have any problems"

Once numbering over one hundred thousand, Tunisia's Jewish community has dwindled over the years. Its members practice discretion, but certainly have no desire to hide. By Sarah Mersch in Tunisia
By Sarah Mersch
ISIS propaganda and use of social networks

The online jihad

The terrorist group ISIS (which now refers to itself as Islamic State) has been conducting a massive propaganda campaign via social networks on the Internet. In addition to intimidating opponents, the group wants to establish its own media brand. By Nastassja Steudel
By Nastassja Steudel
History of the Caliphate

We are all caliphs!

The history of the Caliphate is, with a few exceptions, an unstable and unhappy one. In this essay, Stefan Weidner explains why the self-appointed caliphs of today, like the ISIS leader in Iraq, have little in common with the caliphs of old
By Stefan Weidner
Ramadan in Brazil

Maintaining the tradition

The small Muslim community in the Brazilian metropolis Recife meets every evening in the city's only Muslim centre to break their fast with the iftar dinner. Most of the people in the community are African immigrants. Ekrem Güzeldere reports
By Ekrem Eddy Güzeldere