Society

Aftermath of the Beirut explosion

"Revolution is born out of suffering"

Following the explosion in the port of Beirut, the Lebanese are united in their anger with the politicians. Volunteers are sweeping up broken glass and removing rubble and stones from houses. While the political scene is trying to sort itself out, it is the Lebanese people who are rebuilding the country. Julia Neumann reports from Beirut
By Julia Neumann
Islam in the Netherlands

Burka ban and face mask laws frustrate Dutch Muslims

One year after the burka ban in the Netherlands, Muslim women are reporting increased discrimination and violence. Adding to the frustration, face masks against coronavirus have become mandatory on Dutch public transport. By Ingrid Gercama and Sanne Derks
By Ingrid Gercama, Sanne Derks
Beirut in crisis

Can things get any worse for the people of Lebanon?

In Lebanon the economy is going downhill at an ever faster rate. The Lebanese are fighting the dramatic effects of the crisis with barter exchanges and joint projects. Apart from that, all they have left is black humour to endure the situation. Tom Allinson reports from Beirut
By Tom Allinson
Press freedom in Turkey

President Erdogan tightens the noose around social media

By massively regulating social media platforms, President Erdogan is trying to silence the remaining critical voices in Turkey, says Christian Mihr of the organisation Reporters Without Borders in his commentary
By Christian Mihr
Violence against women

Femicide on the rise in Turkey

The recent murder of Turkish student Pinar Gültekin by her ex-boyfriend has sparked outrage in Turkey. Women's rights activists are calling for the government to tackle the widespread problem of femicide in the country, but their calls are being met with silence from the government and in some cases even tear gas and rubber bullets by police. By Daniel Bellut
By Burcu Karakaş, Daniel Derya Bellut, Hilal Köylü
Private initiatives in Gaza

For a brighter future ... despite the blockade

As he sees the first of his successes making its way towards local markets, Azem Abu Daqqa feels very positive. The launch of an agricultural project in the south of the Gaza Strip, which challenges the reality of the Israeli blockade and the scarcity of job opportunities for the thousands of university graduates in this coastal area is promising. He isn't the only one to have seized the initiative. Fida Abu Elayyan, a pharmacist, is doing something very similar. A report from Gaza
Environmental protection in Egypt

Did you enjoy your plastic meal today?

Has it ever crossed your mind that you are eating plastic on a daily basis? That you are drinking it? Apart from the thousands of trending pictures and videos on social media of animals and fish tangled in plastic, or even filled with plastic, are you aware that 83 % of our tap water contains microplastics? By Manar Ramadan
By Manar Ramadan
Immigration in Morocco

The long road to integration for immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa

Morocco officially declared itself a country of immigration in 2013, responding to the growing number of immigrants arriving from sub-Saharan Africa. Since then, tens of thousands of illegal aliens have been given residence permits, making them legal residents of the country. Despite this progress, however, Morocco's immigration policies remain inconsistent, and society has yet to truly accept the newcomers. By Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
Tipaza's HOME environmental activists

Algerian woman spearheads fight for sustainable fishing

Among the greatest threats to Algeria’s 1,622 km long coastline are irresponsible fishing practices and a complacency about marine pollution, especially plastic waste. The HOME environmental association in Tipaza is trying to change that. By Nourredine Bessadi
By Nourredine Bessadi
President Sisi, the Grand Imam and Al-Azhar

Egypt’s eternal conundrum – reforming religious thought

How long can Al-Azhar University mount guard over orthodox Islamic learning, fending off Sisi’s attempt to assert control while also curtailing the influence of oil-rich Gulf states? By Muhammed Nafih Wafy
By Muhammed Nafih Wafy
Interview with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi

"Ruhollah Zam's death sentence is a political judgement"

The death sentence against journalist Ruhollah Zam in Iran has been criticised worldwide. Iran has said it will not accept any interference in its "internal affairs". Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi takes Tehran to task over the matter. Interview by Shabnam von Hein
By Shabnam von Hein
Non-fiction: Mikhal Dekel's "Tehran Children"

The Jews who fled Nazi Germany to finally end up in Iran

Mikhal Dekel’s father was part of a contingent of Jewish children who went on an odyssey from Poland to Iran as a result of the Holocaust. Dekel has now written a book exploring the story of the "Tehran Children". By Daniel Walter
By Daniel Walter