Society

Turkey's Aramean Christians

Where they speak Jesus' language

There are only a few thousand Aramean Christians left in south eastern Anatolia. And they are intent on preserving their ancient culture dating back one-and-a-half millennia. Marian Brehmer visits a community marked by exile, flight…and eventual return to the homeland
By Marian Brehmer
Christmas in Lebanon

Revolution under the Christmas tree

Beirut usually sparkles and dazzles at Christmas time. This year, marked by major protests, however, everything has been turned on its head: there is a distinct lack of Christmas in Beirut, while in Tripoli, a Christmas tree has been erected for the first time ever on the main square, Sahat an-Nour. Hanna Resch reports from Lebanon
By Hanna Resch
Interview with James Morris

Ibn Arabi's vision for a fully human global civilisation

Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi (1165-1240) is one of the most influential Arab philosophers and mystics. James Morris, Professor of Islamic Theology at Boston College, explains why his writings are still popular and why, today, they give the most productive answer to fundamentalist approaches in Islam. Interview by Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
Suicide on the rise in Tunisia

A last desperate stand

Tunisia is considered a paragon of the Arab Spring. Despite democratic reforms, however, a mood of political frustration and economic despair still prevails, particularly among young people. Since 2011 the country has seen an increase in the number of suicides – an act some see as a form of political protest. By Hannah El-Hitami
By Hannah El-Hitami
Uighur activist Ilham Tohti awarded EU Sakharov prize 2019

"His goal was always to promote dialogue"

Imprisoned Uighur human rights activist Ilham Tohti has been awarded the Sakharov prize 2019 for human rights by the EU Parliament. His daughter Jewher Ilham, who lives in the U.S., will receive the prize on his behalf and spoke to Max Sander ahead of the ceremony
By Max Zander
Start-ups in the West Bank

Young Palestinians and their "business without borders"

Wall, fences and checkpoints have become a way of life in the West Bank. But now innovative start-ups are using digital means to overcome borders and connect people across the territory. By Manuela Kasper-Claridge
Interview with the artist Parastou Forouhar

Iranian society in shock

Every year German-Iranian artist Parastou Forouhar travels to Iran to commemorate her parents who were killed by secret service agents. This year, the funeral service coincided with the nationwide protests in Iran. Interview by Farhad Payar
By Farhad Payar
Women in Turkey

Ankara turns a blind eye to femicide

A young Turkish woman was recently brutally murdered on her way home – one of 430 women killed in 2019 alone. Women's rights organisations are calling for better protection, but the government is doing almost nothing. By Daniel Bellut and Burcu Karakas
By Daniel Derya Bellut, Burcu Karakaş
Processing child trauma in the Middle East

Sesame Street's new trio of refugee puppets

Basma, Jad and Ma'zooza are about to join the Sesame Street family. The trio of new Arabic-speaking characters will help teach children in the Middle East to read and write, as well as process the trauma of displacement. Diana Hodali reports
By Diana Hodali
The Prophet and Sharia

Islamic family law reform – a question of interpretation

Equality in divorce, a ban on polygamy: reformers of Islamic family law have a clear agenda. They are exploiting the ambiguity of traditional jurisprudence. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Erdogan's economic crisis

Plumbing the depths of despair in Turkey

In recent weeks, Turkish society has been rocked by a spate of suicides. Three families used cyanide to kill themselves – the reason: economic problems. According to the opposition, the ongoing economic crisis in Turkey is driving people to their deaths. By Daniel Derya Bellut
By Daniel Derya Bellut
Sisi's raids on the press

Egypt's Mada Masr – "We're not going to shut up"

Raids on Egypt's last independent news outlet, Mada Masr, have left its staff shaken but defiant. Reporters are working under "increasingly hostile" circumstances in Cairo, reveals journalist Sharif Abdel Kouddous in interview with Diana Hodali
By Diana Hodali