Society

Clandestine Migration from Tunisia

Flight of the Hopeless

In view of Tunisia's persistent economic crisis and high jobless rate, also in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution, many young Tunisians are tempted to turn their backs on their homeland and seek their fortunes in Europe. This gives greater weight to projects aimed at improving prospects for the younger generation and persuading them to abandon plans to cross the Mediterranean. By Beat Stauffer
By Beat Stauffer
Islamic Auction Website Selisha.de

A Kind of eBay for Muslims

From trendy headscarves to prayer rugs with integral compasses, Selisha.de has everything the devout Muslim could possibly wish for. It is the very first Islamic auction website in the world. Aygül Cizmecioglu has the details
By Aygül Cizmecioglu
Migration as a Topic in German Museums

From the Periphery to the Center

With a surfeit of history on their hands, many German museums are only now discovering migration as a theme. It's a step in the right direction, says Austrian historian Regina Wonisch, but isn't enough. An interview by Klaudia Prevezanos
By Klaudia Prevezanos
Jewish Life in North Africa

Facing a Precarious Future

The once-large Jewish communities in Tunisia and Egypt have almost disappeared. Those who remain are treated with mistrust and suspicion by society. The Arab Spring has made their situation even more difficult. Andreas Gorzewski reports
By Andreas Gorzewski
Egyptian Students and the Arab Spring

''We All Yearned for Democracy''

Activists involved in the "January 25 Revolution" against the Mubarak regime included many students who took to the streets demanding freedom and social justice. But what is left of that revolutionary spirit now? Fabian Schmidmeier went to Cairo's Ain Shams University to find out
By Fabian Schmidmeier
Massive Conflicts within Syrian Churches

Confessional In-Fighting

Well-known Syrian dissidents criticise the impact of the huge influence exerted on religious groups by the Assad regime. Syrian journalist Michel Kilo warns against a "bunker mentality" within faith communities and a new "confessional racism". Claudia Mende reports
By Claudia Mende
The 'Mapping Democracy' Project

Global Dialogue in Real Time

To explore innovative forms of democratic dialogue – that's the idea behind the project "Mapping Democracy", which saw experts and audiences taking part in a simultaneous debate in Cairo, Madrid and Munich. Claudia Mende reports
By Claudia Mende
Israel's Social Media and the Gaza Crisis

Truths Come Through

In light of the war of information raging throughout the current Gaza conflict, the Israeli writer Assaf Gavron highlights the important role that social media plays in his country, providing a voice for authentic and independent viewpoints beyond any control or influence by the state
By Assaf Gavron
Iranian Reformist Thinkers in Exile

More Freedom, Less Impact?

Iran has forced intellectuals and clerics like Abdulkarim Soroush and Mohsen Kadivar into exile. These men once drove the debate about a reform of the political system and religion in Iran. They have found refuge in the West, where they can work, speak, and conduct research more freely. But what influence – if any – do they still have in Iran? By Urs Sartowitz
By Urs Sartowicz
The Arab Spring and the Media

Distorted Images

Why have Al-Jazeera, Al-Arabiya and most western media neglected to report on the uprisings in Bahrain? Is it true that in Syria, Alawites are fighting against Sunni Muslims? And who were the real victims of the Houla massacre? Amira Mohsen Galal takes a look at some of the most striking flaws in reporting on the Arab Spring, two years after the uprisings began
By Amira Mohsen Galal
Interview with the Egyptian Muslim activist Asmaa Mahfouz

''There is no war between Islam and America''

Asmaa Mahfouz is one of the founders of the April 6 Youth Movement. She has been credited with helping to spark mass uprising through her video blog posted one week before the start of the 2011 Egyptian revolution. In this interview with Nina zu Fürstenberg, she shares her concerns and hopes for the Arab Spring
By Nina zu Fürstenberg
Gay Rights in Tunisia

Not Illegal, but Taboo

Homosexuals in Tunisia celebrated the ouster of dictator Ben Ali, hoping it would improve their situation. But in nearly two years, little has changed for the country's gay and lesbian community. Sarah Mersch reports from Tunis
By Sarah Mersch