Society

Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi

Religious tolerance in UAE serves national interest

In March 2023, a synagogue was consecrated in Abu Dhabi – the first Jewish house of prayer to be built in the region for a hundred years. It is situated in an interfaith complex called Abrahamic Family House, which aims to present the Emirates as a tolerant, open country. Claudia Mende visited the centre
By Claudia Mende
Climate change

Pakistan faces a looming water crisis

Pakistan is facing a looming water crisis that threatens to exacerbate food insecurity. Political instability and economic fragility are complicating the situation further. The government is taking steps to address the problems, but much more needs to be done. By Abdur Rehman Cheema
By Abdur Rehman Cheema
750th anniversary of Rumi's death – Part 4

Islam's enormous variety

Based in Switzerland, retired electrical engineer Peter Huseyin Cunz has been a Mevlevi sheikh for 24 years. Marian Brehmer spoke to him about Rumi's teachings in a European context
By Marian Brehmer
Middle East misinformation

Tech firms struggle as Israel-Gaza falsehoods explode

From fake accounts impersonating journalists to war-themed video games fuelling false narratives, tech platforms are struggling to contain a tsunami of misinformation around Palestinian-Israeli hostilities after rolling back content moderation policies
Nobel peace prizewinner Narges Mohammadi

Change in Iran 'irreversible'

Rights campaigner and 2023 Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi said in a September 2023 interview that she retained hope for change in Iran, despite having no prospect of release from prison and enduring the pain of separation from her family
Syrian refugees in Lebanon

Living in constant fear of deportation

About two million Syrian refugees have fled to Lebanon since the start of the war. However, since the Lebanese economy has nosedived, life for the refugees has become increasingly difficult. This year, Lebanese authorities have stepped up their deportations of Syrian refugees. By Andrea Backhaus in Bar Elias
By Andrea Backhaus
Earthquake aftermath

Asbestos lurks in Turkey's earthquake zone

An exclusive DW investigation has revealed the health threat posed by asbestos in Turkey's Hatay province in the aftermath of the massive earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in February 2023. Health experts are deeply concerned for residents. By Serdar Vardar and Pelin Ünker
By Serdar Vardar, Pelin Ünker
750th anniversary of Rumi's death – Part 3

On Rumi's trail in Afghanistan

During Ramadan 2019, Marian Brehmer travelled to Rumi's birthplace, Balkh in northern Afghanistan, in search of the roots of the great Sufi master. His visit there left a lasting impression on him
By Marian Brehmer
Iran protests

Tehran dismisses university lecturers

University lecturers critical of the regime are being dismissed, while those loyal to the regime are being rehired: Tehran's Islamic regime is apparently reshaping the country's universities even more strictly according to its own ideas. By Iman Aslani
By Iman Aslani
Libya flood victims

Derna – difficult search for missing migrants

Around 10% of the victims of the recent devastating floods in Libya were from other countries. Some were working there, others likely trying to leave for Europe. By Islam Alatrash in Libya and Cathrin Schaer
By Islam Alatrash, Cathrin Schaer
Human rights in Asia

Tajik women turn to polygamy to survive

Dire economic conditions are spurring an increasing number of women in Tajikistan to enter polygamous marriages. But it comes at a price. With few rights to underpin their existence, they bear a burden of social stigma that taints not only their lives but those of their children too. Madina Shogunbekova reports
By Madina Shogunbekova
The Armenian genocide

"Genocide is a feminist issue"

Dots, crosses, lines: tattoos like these were inked on surviving Armenian women after the genocide in the Ottoman Empire. Historian Elyse Semerdjian uses the tattoos to tell their story. Interview by Anna-Theresa Bachmann
By Anna-Theresa Bachmann