Society
Topics
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Christians in TunisiaCause for Concern
Pressure on Tunisian Christians in Tunisia has grown since the nation's Jasmine Revolution. Observations from Katharina Pfannkuch in Tunis
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Two New Books on the Gülen MovementHappy Altruists Everywhere
The American sociologist of religion Helen Rose Ebaugh and the German journalist Jochen Thies wanted to take a closer look at the Gülen movement and the educational activities of its adherents. Both books, however, lack the necessary critical distance says Jan Kuhlmann
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Syrian Boat Refugees in Egypt"Head Straight on to Europe!"
Many Syrian refugees are trying to reach Europe from Egypt via the Mediterranean. They are risking their lives to escape the civil war in their homeland. A reportage by Karim El-Gawhary in Abukir, Egypt
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Interview with Lina Attalah"The Media Are PR Machines of the Military"
After being dismissed from the newspaper Egypt Independent, editor-in-chief Lina Attalah founded the alternative news website Mada Masr. Egyptian media are in "a very precarious condition", she says – and calls for a new kind of critical journalism. Interview by Jannis Hagmann
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Alternative Nobel Prize for the Palestinian Raji Sourani"We Just Don't Have the Right to Give up Hope"
The Palestinian lawyer Raji Sourani has been named laureate of the 2013 'Alternative Nobel Prize' "for his unwavering dedication to upholding the rule of law under exceptionally difficult circumstances". Sourani sees the award as an "incentive not to lose hope". By Ulrike Schleicher
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Germany's "Migrant MPs"So Where Are You Really From?
Among the new German parliamentarians are 35 with an "immigration background" – a label they find unfortunate, as they are not there to merely fulfill a quota. Naomi Conrad talked to several of these parliamentarians in Berlin
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Women Entrepreneurs in the Arab WorldSuccessful Together
"Ouissal" means "connection". A new project bearing this name offers women entrepreneurs from Germany and Tunisia the opportunity to get to know each other and offer mutual support in their professional careers – a dialogue between equal partners. By Martina Sabra
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"Open Forums" in TurkeyNew Forms of Participation
The Gezi Park protests have led to the emergence of local grassroots committees or "Open Forums" in many Turkish towns and cities. Their goal: To preserve quality of life in residential areas and foster political dialogue and development. A commentary by Ceyda Nurtsch from the "Open Forum" in the Istanbul neighbourhood of Beyoğlu
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Christians in EgyptPersecuted and Forgotten
Anti-Christian violence is on the rise in Egypt. Although 45 churches and buildings were burned to the ground just a month ago, the Egyptian state is doing little to protect the country's Christians. By Markus Symank
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Cultural Dialogue in GermanyOvercoming a Bloc Mind-set in East and West
At the invitation of Federal President Joachim Gauck, several thousand citizens met at Berlin's Schloss Bellevue to exchange views at the "place of encounters". Fabian Pianka depicts the current mood prevailing in Germany with regard to immigrants, how art can help in conflict situations, and the state of the dialogue with the Islamic world
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Media in EgyptFall into Line or Switch Off
Just two years ago, the Arab Spring prompted many observers to talk about supposed Facebook revolutions. Looking at the state of the media today, and especially in Egypt, we can see a return to the old mechanisms of safeguarding authoritarian rule. By Carola Richter
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Interview with Uri Avnery"Pessimism Means Nothing to Me"
Israeli peace activist Uri Avnery is celebrating his 90th birthday. In this interview with Tania Krämer, he offers his perspective on the recent Middle East peace talks and the many questions arising from the Syrian conflict