Society

Non-fiction: Mohamed Amjahid′s "Unter Weißen"

"Racism, like a plastic bottle in the sea…"

In his book, "Unter Weißen" (Among Whites) just published in Germany, journalist Mohamed Amjahid examines the stereotype of the "lust-driven, primitive and dangerous 'Oriental'". He holds up a mirror to the white majority in society, exposing the racist nature of myths of "otherness" and showing what it means to live among whites as a non-white person. By Ozan Keskinkilic
By Ozan Zakariya Keskinkilic
Afghan refugees and the right to remain

Fast-track baptisms

Germany is currently witnessing a sharp increase in the number of conversions from Islam to Christianity among its considerable refugee community. Christian sects from Asia are exploiting the fear of deportation among Afghan refugees – with potentially fatal consequences. By Ulrike Hummel
By Ulrike Hummel
Aleppo soap

Balsam from a war zone

Although the mere mention of the city of Aleppo conjures up images of war and destruction, Aleppo soap is flying off the shelves in Germany's organic shops and supermarkets. But how does this popular product get from war-torn Syria to Germany? And is it really made in Aleppo? By Mey Dudin
By Mey Dudin
Closure of NGOs in Turkey

Forced to down tools

Civil society in Turkey has practically ground to a halt in Turkey since the state of emergency was declared last year. The work of many NGOs has been discontinued seemingly overnight. Many still don't even know why. Ceyda Nurtsch spoke to some of their representatives
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Saudi health reforms and women′s rights

Still a sore point

A Saudi decision to license the kingdom′s first women-only gyms over the coming weeks constitutes progress in a country in which women′s rights are severely curtailed. Yet it also reveals the limitations of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman′s plan to rationalise and diversify the kingdom′s economy. By James M. Dorsey
By James M. Dorsey
Interview with Lutheran pastor Mitri Raheb

″Till we have a fair peace″

Mitri Raheb is a Lutheran pastor and Arab Christian and the founder of the International Center of Bethlehem. Martina Sabra talks to him about Luther's influence in the Middle East, the chances of an Islamic Reformation and accusations of anti-Semitism
By Martina Sabra
Christians in Iraq

Coping with wrack and ruin

The Christian villages around the Iraqi city of Mosul may have been liberated, but in reality, the scars of brutal IS rule mean they are uninhabitable. For most residents, returning is not an option at this stage. By Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
Recycle Beirut and Lebanon′s rubbish crisis

Green awakenings

With Lebanon's rubbish crisis in its second year, ordinary citizens are taking the problem of the ever-growing piles of trash into their own hands. This shift in consciousness represents a new reality for the government. By Alice Kohn in Beirut
By Alice Kohn
The German board game 'Istanbul'

Good clean Oriental fun?

Just a game? Think again! If the world is to survive, we all need to move closer together. Yet how can a society that ridicules others and reduces them to the level of pawns in a game expect to make any kind of constructive contribution? By Stefan Buchen
By Stefan Buchen
Interview with Sheikha Halima Krausen

″Women do the real work!″

Sheikha Halima Krausen was the imam of Hamburg′s Islamic Centre until 2014. Carolin Kubo spoke to the courageous Islamic theologian about the years she spent working for the local Islamic community and about her latest research project
By Carolin Kubo
Countering radicalisation with '180° Turn'

Together we are strong

Young people, mostly from immigrant backgrounds, are working for a Cologne initiative fighting religious fanaticism. They aim to combat the radicalisation of others of their generation by coming together as peers. By Nina Niebergall
By Nina Niebergall
Underage refugees and family reunification

Who needs parents?

A temporary halt in the reunification of families for some refugees means all thousands of relatives can currently do is wait. Criticism relating to a raft of "Asylum Package II" measures, the bureaucratic shortcomings of the authorities, not to mention lengthy processing times is rife. By Ulrike Hummel
By Ulrike Hummel