Society

Financial crisis in Lebanon

Beirut's bank robber folk heroes

Desperation is driving some Lebanese to take matters into their own hands. These days, robbing a bank to access your own money is likely to make you a folk hero. Karim El-Gawhary met two such 'criminals' in Beirut
By Karim El-Gawhary
Climate change in Bangladesh

The sinking of a city

Chittagong in Bangladesh is one of the ten fastest-sinking coastal cities in the world. Many people moved there fleeing climate disasters elsewhere in the country. With large parts of Chittagong under water for several hours a day, they are likely to be displaced again. Rafiqul Islam Montu reports
By Rafiqul Islam Montu
Mahsa Amini: one year on

Tehran has lost the battle for credibility

One year after Mahsa Amini died in police custody, sparking nationwide protests, the Iranian regime has quashed all displays of public discontent. But the 2022 protest movement was not a lost cause and its impact on Iranian history cannot be undermined, writes Leela Jacinto
Libya's 'medicane'

The tragedy of Libya's Derna

Storm Daniel wreaked havoc in southeastern Europe before becoming a Mediterranean storm. The "medicane" then slammed into Libya, where coastal towns were encircled by the sea on one side and flash floods on the other. By Alexander Freund
By Alexander Freund
Halal Food

Financial Times: How to make lab-grown meat halal

Meat grown in a lab could be considered halal, according to advice from Islamic scholars in Saudi Arabia to a U.S. food start-up, as the industry starts to explore certification for products to fit religious dietary rules.
Migration in the 1960s

Adapting to Germany's fast-changing society

Nassir Djafari's second novel "Mahtab" tells the story of a migrant mother from Iran in 1960s Frankfurt. Not only does it describe how the protagonist adapts to an unfamiliar culture, but also reveals just how much Frankfurt itself was transformed during this period. By Hans Dembowski
By Hans Dembowski
Alcohol in Iran, Turkey and the USA

Are all taboos justified?

Iran's ban on alcohol has led to a rise in methanol poisonings, revealing the deadly side of prohibition. The situation mirrors past failures in the U.S. and contrasts with more lenient policies in countries like Turkey. By Niloofar Gholami
By Niloofar Gholami
The refugee's struggle for identity

Homeless with three homes

In "Heimatlos mit drei Heimaten" – literally, 'homeless with three homes' – the historian and political scientist Aref Hajjaj illustrates his personal experiences from a life led between Palestine, Switzerland and Germany. Volker Kaminski read the book
By Volker Kaminski
War in Syria

Young Syrians' deep sense of alienation

How has the war in Syria affected the attitudes and perspectives of Syrian teenagers growing up during this tough time? Now 25, Jenan Aljundi was 13 when things turned violent. In this personal essay she provides insight into the alienation felt by a young woman remaining in Syria, while friends and family emigrated
By Jenan Aljundi
Muslims in Europe and conflict resolution

Meet Germany's first Islamic affairs consultant

How can local authorities best understand the various Islamic groups in their communities? Or integrate young Muslims? Christoph Strack reports how Germany's first Islamic affairs consultant is resolving conflicts between mosque communities and municipalities
By Christoph Strack
10 years after Egypt's Rabaa massacre

Still waiting for justice

The massacre of protesters in Cairo under Abdul Fattah al-Sisi's watch was one of the worst in modern history – and one of the best documented. But 10 years on, no-one has been held accountable. By Cathrin Schaer
By Cathrin Schaer
Muslims in Germany

Anonymous hate mail rattles mosque congregations

In Germany, numerous mosques are facing threats, yet the security authorities are anything but clued up. Fear, mixed with an increasing sense of frustration, is growing among the country's Muslim community. By Christoph Strack
By Christoph Strack