Society

Terrorist attack on Nice church

French Muslims grieve following another Islamist outrage

Muslims in Nice condemn the attack on the Basilica of Notre Dame. At the same time, there is great frustration at the readiness of some to equate the perpetrator with the Muslim community in general, which mourns the attack as much as the rest of France. By Marina Strauß
By Marina Strauss
Interview with Melisa Erkurt on her book "Generation haram"

"Teachers must be taught not to become racists in class"

Melisa Erkurt came to Austria from Bosnia as a child with her parents. As a journalist, she now writes about education, which is also the subject of her latest book “Generation haram”, which focuses on education’s so-called losers. Interview by Schayan Riaz
By Schayan Riaz
France's freedom of speech

Turkey hits at 'Crusades' against Islam in cartoons row

Turkey’s president said on Wednesday that Western countries mocking Islam wanted to "relaunch the Crusades", heightening a confrontation with France over cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad that have stirred anger in Muslim-majority countries.
By Tuvan Gumrukcu, Ece Toksabay
France, Turkey and the Caucasus

French Armenians plead for Nagorno-Karabakh intervention

The Armenian diaspora in France – the largest in Western Europe – is urging the country to do more to support Yerevan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. But Paris is, so far, acting with restraint. Lisa Louis reports
By Lisa Louis
Mass expulsions to Niger

Algeria abandons thousands of migrants in the desert

Now that the COVID-19 crisis in Algeria has eased significantly, Algerian authorities are once again cracking down on migrants with extreme severity, expelling thousands of people to Niger in a blatant violation of international law. By Sofian Philip Naceur
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Interview with Moroccan Islamic feminist Asma Lamrabet

Emancipation through a new reading of the Koran

Moroccan physician and author Asma Lamrabet is one of the foremost representatives of Islamic feminism in North Africa. She urges Arab women to follow their own path, distinct from Western feminism, in order to liberate themselves from male paternalism. Claudia Mende spoke to her in Rabat
By Claudia Mende
Environmental protection in Kashmir

Working in the shadow of violence and climate change

Illegal construction, timber smuggling and a decades-long conflict have left their mark on the forests of Kashmir. But locals are stepping in to protect the unique nature of their home in the Himalayas. By Furkan Latif Khan
By Furkan Latif Khan
Freedom of speech in the Middle East

Arabs follow fake news, while the dream of progress dies

In the Arab world, freedom of opinion collides with a societal juggernaut that silences imagination with remarkable efficiency. Egyptian author and novelist Khaled al-Khamissi describes the mechanisms of repression in Arab society
By Khaled al-Khamissi
Turkey's failing justice system

Desperate for justice, Turks resort to trial by Twitter

Recently, Twitter has become something of a people's court for Turks seeking justice. Particularly in cases of violence against women and animal rights, social media is regarded as the final legal avenue for those demanding a just ruling, yet the risk of cyber-bullying is high. Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul
By Ayşe Karabat
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