Society

Emigrating from Lebanon

Traumatised Beirutis ready to "leave for good"

Since the violent explosion in Beirut in early August, Lebanon has found no peace. Ever more Lebanese want to leave the country. With her bags packed, Cindy Chemaly Cochrane says she no longer wants to live in fear. By Diana Hodali
By Diana Hodali
Thirty years of German unity

Why we all need to celebrate diversity rather than unity

German unity is usually viewed from a purely white perspective – white East Germans reunited with white West Germans. As a result, millions of people from immigrant families feel excluded from the Day of National Unity celebrations on October 3. Ferda Ataman asks: how do we create a more inclusive unity?
By Ferda Ataman
Water shortage in the Maghreb

Climate change and Tunisia's water management challenge

Since independence in 1956, Tunisia has gone to great lengths to mobilise its water resources. Its drinking-water supply rate and the number of households connected to sanitation are the highest in North Africa. But has Tunisia done enough to fend off the challenges posed by climate change? By Raoudha Gafrej
By Raoudha Gafrej
Book review: Michael Muhammad Knight's "Muhammad's Body"

The Prophet, a figure central to Islam's inherent complexities

In his latest book, "Muhammad's Body: Baraka Networks and the Prophetic Assemblage", Michael Muhammad Knight delves deeply into the idea and belief that Muhammad's body has blessed people both during his lifetime and after his death. By Richard Marcus
By Richard Marcus
Palliative care for migrants in Germany

Support at the end of a long journey

Germany is home to 21 million people with a migrant background. Hospices and providers of palliative care are adapting their practices to make them more inclusive. By Christoph Strack
By Christoph Strack
Farewell to a Saudi animal rights activist

"You see me in the eyes of cats, and I see you"

In late August, Twitter was awash with grief and disbelief at the gut-wrenching news of the passing of a man known only by the pseudonym Barg ou Ra'd ("Lightning & Thunder"). Reem Kelani says farewell to a popular Saudi animal rights activist whose identity was revealed only after his passing
By Reem Kelani
Women's rights in Yemen

Making the most of the space available

Yemen's modern history has never seen a coherent and consistent women's movement, but rather temporary and fragmented movements with different priorities, such as women's struggle against human rights violations, and feminists' focus on combating patriarchal tribal structures that discriminated against women. But, writes Afrah Nasser, they all stemmed from genuine concerns for human rights and democracy
By Afrah Nasser
After the fire in Moria

For many migrants, the dream of freedom ends in Lesbos

After the devastating fires in the Moria migrant camp on Lesbos, Muhammad spent days on a sealed-off section of road with thousands of others. His most fervent wish is to leave the island, as Max Zander reports
By Max Zander
Sexual violence in Egypt

Battling against a culture of silence

Two prominent cases concerning gender-based violence – that of Ahmed Zaki, who has been accused by more than 100 women of extortion, sexual harassment, coercion and rape, and that of the gang rape at the Fairmont Hotel in 2014 – have given rise to a new movement fighting sexual violence in Egypt. Paula Al-Bahari has the details
By Paula Al-Bahari
One month after the Beirut port explosion

"We sweep trauma under the carpet and carry on"

You can see the port of Beirut from Mounir al-Khodr's roof terrace. His family's home, belongings and memories were damaged in the explosion. Julia Neumann reports from Beirut on what life has been like for him and his family since the catastrophic events of 4 August
By Julia Neumann
Women in Egypt

The long and bumpy road to gender equality

Alexandra Kinias was denied a job as a site engineer in an oil company because of her gender. The rejection letter clearly stated that the company would rather offer its jobs to male engineers. Women in Egypt have come a long way since then, she says
By Alexandra Kinias
Protecting children from anti-Muslim racism

Stand up to the hate

Anti-Muslim racism is a macrosocial problem; protecting children is a macrosocial duty. Melanie Christina Mohr puts the issue in context
By Melanie Christina Mohr