Society

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
Charlie Hebdo trial in Paris

Will justice bring relief?

It's been over five years since the attacks on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and the Jewish supermarket Hypercacher in Paris. The long-awaited trial might bring relatives and friends some sense of normality. Lisa Louis reports from Paris
By Lisa Louis
Non-fiction: Dina Nayeri’s "The Ungrateful Refugee"

Refugees don’t have to be grateful; they have no debt to repay

Refugees are expected to show gratitude and humility towards the country that has taken them in. In her new book, "The Ungrateful Refugee", Dina Nayeri sets out why this is a wholly misguided assumption. By Gerrit Wustmann
By Gerrit Wustmann
Syrian refugees in Germany five years on

Samer Serawan's Damascus Aroma – a taste of integration

Five years ago, Samer Serawan spent many long, cold nights in a muddy courtyard in Berlin, one of many Syrians who queued up to live in Germany. Now he has a successful restaurant that promotes integration. Ben Knight reports
By Ben Knight