Society

Human rights in Lebanon

Kafala and its ʹcommoditiesʹ

"Where is your bint from?" is not an unusual question in Lebanon. 'Bint' means girl in Arabic, but here refers to housekeepers, maids or nannies working in Lebanon under kafala sponsorship. It is a loaded term that refers to thousands of African and Asian workers arriving in Lebanon every year. By Antoine Abou-Diwan
By Antoine Abou-Diwan
Indigenous rights in the Maghreb

An uphill struggle for Tunisiaʹs Amazigh

The Amazigh claim that the regimes of Bourguiba and Ben Ali stole their finest asset, namely their culture. Is Tunisiaʹs Jasmine revolution on the way to restoring their rights? By Lina Shanak
By Lina Shanak
"Contemporary Muslim Fashions" exhibition

Muslim fashion – a material controversy

Frankfurtʹs Museum for Applied Art is currently hosting an exhibition on Muslim fashion. Heavily criticised for going ahead with the show, curator Matthias Wagner K explains how political fashion can be. Interview by Stefan Dege
By Stefan Dege
Post-Christchurch debate on religion and terrorism

Who is responsible for the violence?

The question of whether religious texts are interpreted in a tolerant or a hostile way is closely tied to the historical context in which the interpretation takes place. The responsibility for terrorism lies first and foremost with people and not with the religious texts themselves, says Assem Hefny, a lecturer at Al-Azhar University
By Assem Hefny
Germanyʹs integration debate

"Your homeland is our nightmare"

A recently published anthology – "Eure Heimat ist unser Albtraum" – edited by Fatma Aydemir and Hengameh Yaghoobifarah is both accusatory and motivational. Ceyda Nurtsch read the declaration and attended the launch
By Ceyda Nurtsch
After the Christchurch mosque attacks

Time for non-Muslims everywhere to take a stand

Following last Friday's attacks, German Muslims are worried that their places of worship may be targeted too. Christoph Strack writes that there is a simple way for non-Muslims to show solidarity
By Christoph Strack
The "Syrian Heritage Archive Project"

Syria's cultural landscape lives on – in Berlin

Countless cultural assets were destroyed by the Syrian Civil War. The Syrian Heritage Archive Project in Berlin contributes to preserving their memory with an exhibition showing what has been lost – and what remains. By Christina Kufner
By Christina Küfner
Azerbaijanʹs struggle to promote the value of girls

Imams against sex-selective abortion

Azerbaijan is struggling to change the mind-sets of families aborting female foetuses. Imams who have weighed in on the issue have become indispensable in up-ending this practice. Experts say the country urgently needs to implement an action plan or it will face dire consequences. Ayse Karabat reports from Baku
By Ayşe Karabat
“New Istanbul” in Berlin

Turkish brain drainers versus guest workers

Ever since the 2016 attempted coup in Turkey, an increasing number of well-educated people are leaving the country and settling in Berlin. However, they do not want to have anything to do with the so-called "guest worker Turks". Ceyda Nurtsch on a relationship informed by prejudice, aversion and ignorance
By Ceyda Nurtsch
One interfaith couple's story

Our three weddings – civil, Muslim, and Christian

On Christmas Eve 2014 Michael Blume asked his wife Zehra whether he should help a thousand women and children, victims of IS violence, leave northern Iraq. After all, sheʹd been known to say yes to all kinds of questions in the past. Andreas Malessa recounts the story of their unusual relationship
By Andreas Malessa
Western news coverage

The white perspective

Cultural arrogance has long been a feature of Western journalism and it continues to flourish. But can journalists really describe the world from the perspective of a Yemeni housewife, a shepherdess in Bhutan or an elderly Senegalese fisherman? By Charlotte Wiedemann
By Charlotte Wiedemann
Migrants and Germany's labour shortage

The tightrope between prospects and prejudice

Desperately seeking migrants? Teachers, policemen, tax officials – new Germans are in great demand, especially in the public sector. But despite better career opportunities, they continue to face significant prejudice. Astrid Prange reports
By Astrid Prange