Society

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
Beer from the Holy Land

Kosher and halal

Despite the political conflicts, a Christian Arab family has been successfully brewing beer in the Palestinian territories for about 25 years. The brewery takes both Muslim and Jewish dietary stipulations into account. Jamal Saad paid a visit
By Jamal Saad
Book review: Joseph Croitoru's "Die Deutschen und der Orient"

Between contempt and fascination

In his new book, Joseph Croitoru shows how German politics, academia and literature all grappled with the Orient in the eighteenth century. By successfully weaving together these different threads, he provides an overview of attitudes towards the East in Germany during the Age of Enlightenment. By Melanie Christina Mohr
By Melanie Christina Mohr
Jerusalemʹs Africans

Alienation and counter-alienation

Yasser Qous, son of African-Palestinians, explains the feeling of foreignness experienced by Africans in 1970s Jerusalem and the alienation of African parishioners from each other at the time
By Yasser Qous
The High Atlas Foundation's pro-poor approach

Future-proofing Morocco

In Morocco, the High Atlas Foundation is running a pro-poor agro-forestry programme that aims to improve people’s livelihoods as well as the health of the natural environment. The key to success is the participatory approach that empowers marginalised villagers to take their fate into their own hands. By Kerstin Opfer
By Kerstin Opfer
Book review: Bettany Hughes' "Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities"

Cementing the Orientalist legacy

Over the course of over 800 pages, the British historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes paints a dazzling picture of the history of Istanbul. Using vibrant and vivid language, she describes wars and battles, eunuchs and harems, but says little about everyday life in Istanbul or how the city grew and evolved. Ulrich von Schwerin read the book
By Ulrich von Schwerin
"Migratory Birds" newspaper

Giving refugees a voice

The idea originated in a Greek refugee camp: fifteen young Afghan women founded "Migratory Birds" – a newspaper made by refugees for refugees. For the young authors, reporting about their own lives is an act of self-empowerment. By Gordon Wullner
By Gordon Wüllner