Society

15 Years of Açık Radyo in Turkey

Open to All the Voices of the Universe

The ambitious Istanbul radio station Açık Radyo is a beacon of diverse opinion and independent reporting in Turkey. Claudia Hennen visited the programme makers in Istanbul
Tunisian Society after the Jasmine Revolution

Between Optimism and Confusion

Following some three decades of dictatorship, Tunisia is in the grip of great uncertainty one month after the Jasmine Revolution. For a society in such dire need of reconstruction, this is a difficult situation to be in. By Beat Stauffer
The Egyptian Internet Activist Wael Ghonim

The Face of the Egyptian Protest Movement

Wael Ghonim became the public face of the protests against the regime in Egypt. An early organiser, he galvanised the public a second time via a widely viewed interview conducted after he left police custody. By Loay Mudhoon
Interview with Dita Vogel

Irregular Migration to Europe

The current wave of refugees crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa is a reminder of the many migrants who have already made the dangerous journey. Volker Thomas spoke to Dita Vogel about her precarious situation
Egypt after Mubarak

"An Era in which Freedom and Human Rights are Respected"

After the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak, there are plans to hold elections in Egypt within six months. The people of Cairo are proud of what their protests have achieved and at the same time exhausted by the experience. By Khalid El Kaoutit
Muslim University in Tanzania

Combating Discrimination in Their Own Country

Although Tanzania is home to the largest Muslim population in East Africa, the country's civil service is dominated by Christians. The Muslim University of Morogoro was founded in the hope of changing the status quo. By Charlotte Wiedemann
Moroccan Feminism

Emancipation with the Koran?

Moroccan family law is regarded as one of the most progressive in the Arab world, but conservative judges still rule against the interests of women. Muslim feminists use the Koran to fight for their rights. Their secular counterparts are sceptical. By Wolf-Dieter Vogel
Interview with Gudrun Krämer

Fighting Islamophobia with Rational Arguments

Gudrun Krämer regularly contributes to the public debate on Islam in Germany. Nader Alsarras spoke to her at the "Germany's Muslims and European Islam" conference at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin
Christians in Aleppo

Rumblings beneath the Surface

Syria is not considered a bastion of democracy and human rights. However, under Bashar al-Assad, Syrian Christians are free to practise their religion. They are concerned about the rise of Islamism. By Claudia Mende
Palestinian Youth Manifesto

"We Want Peace!"

Frustrated with all sides in the Middle East conflict, eight young men and women from Gaza have given vent to their anger in the form of a manifesto posted on the Internet. By Tania Krämer
Interview with Rebecca Chiao

Breaking Women's Isolation with "Harassmap"

Sexual harassment has become a growing problem in Egypt. Since December 2010, the initiative 'Harassmap' has provided a tool that can be used by victims of harassment, the police, and NGOs. Nesrine Shibib spoke to women's rights activist Rebecca Chiao
Controversial TV Series "The Magnificent Century"

Cultural Battle in Turkey

Emotions are running high in Turkey due to a new television series that supposedly paints an embarrassing picture of the private life of Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I, thus tarnishing the image of the Ottoman Empire. By Jürgen Gottschlich