Society

Burkhard Hofmann's "And God created fear"

A psychogram of the Arab soul

In "Und Gott schuf die Angst: Ein Psychogramm der arabischen Seele", psychologist Burkhard Hoffmann draws on his own caseload to present some of the uniquely Arab hang-ups plaguing individuals in the Gulf region, highlighting the urgent need of Islamic societies to recognise the value of psycho-anaylsis. Gunther Orth read the book
By Günther Orth
Moroccan school curricula

French, Arabic, Moroccan, Amazigh?

The debate about the status of Arabic in Moroccan schools continues unabated. With many of the existing colloquial dialects jockeying for recognition, Morocco faces a tough task when it comes to offering effective, balanced linguistic education for all. By Ali Anouzla
By Ali Anouzla
Matchmaking for millennials

Finding a spouse the halal way

Egyptʹs Harmonica app, intended for those seeking marriage, aims to be a cut above the average dating platform, providing a contemporary, science-based approach for individuals intent on making their own match with a life partner. By Mostafa Fathi
By Mostafa Fathi
Transgender rights

Pakistan's Hijra hold their heads high

In March 2018 Pakistanʹs transgender community experienced an incredible turnaround, when legislators passed a new law protecting them. Pakistani author Mahwish Gul believes it is the first step towards ending marginalisation and deprivation
By Mahwish Gul
Salafism in Germany

Battling radicalisation on the streets

Saloua Mohammed's most important tool in the fight against radical Salafism is listening – to parents whose kids radicalise online, to young people who rave about Salafism and to women returning to Germany after fighting alongside IS. By Esther Felden
By Esther Felden
Interview with Pakistani human rights activist Jalila Haider

"Women need to fight with all their might"

A Shia Hazara from Pakistanʹs Baluchistan, human rights activist Jalila Haider has made the persecution of minorities her focus. In interview with Saima Hyder Zaidi, she also takes a stand against patriarchal mind-sets and the objectification of women
By Saima Hyder Zaidi
The integration game

A German-Syrianʹs trip to the hairdresser

"And where do you come from?" Hmm, what should I say now!? I could say Worms, the ancient German town where I was born and enjoy the unsatisfied look on the hairdresserʹs face, or I could say Syria, which is what sheʹs really asking about; most people arenʹt interested in where I was born and grew up. By Huda Al-Jundi
By Huda Al-Jundi
Pakistan and India

Punjabi kids kick for tolerance

Never one to miss an opportunity for a kickaround, Clifton Grover, "Kick for Tolerance" founder, always has his gym bag with him. For him football isn't just football. Since 2016, he has been helping Punjab communities on either side of the Pakistani-Indian border to promote peace among the younger generation. Interview by Siri Gögelmann
By Siri Gogelmann
Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

Fatima, the Rohingya, tells her story

Fatima was gang-raped during attacks on Rohingya Muslims as part of Myanmar's ethnic cleansing campaign. Now, she and her family live in a camp in Bangladesh with few prospects, Ines Pohl reports
By Ines Pohl
Higher education in the Middle East

Low standards, wrong content

Young people in the MENA region today are better educated than their parents' generation. But higher educational attainment does not open doors to better jobs. Many youngsters go from university straight into unemployment. By Nassir Djafari
By Nassir Djafari
NGO with an Identitarian agenda

Preying on Syrian war widows

When members of a German Alt-Right NGO visited a Syrian refugee camp in Lebanon recently, it was ostensibly to offer aid to the destitute. But the visit served another purpose: playing out the Identitarian agenda of Fortress Europe to the home crowd. Anchal Vohra reports from the Bekaa Valley
By Anchal Vohra
Egyptian society

Migrants – ever the foreigners?

People have come to Egypt over the centuries for many reasons. Fleeing war, injustice, or simply in search of a better life. You would think Egyptʹs acceptance and ability to integrate would have been strengthened as a result. But the reality is different. By Aya Nabil
By Aya Nabil