Society

Anti-construction protests in Turkey

″Reclaim Istanbul!″ – policy vs. architecture

Turkey′s construction industry is booming. As a key pillar of the nation's economy, President Erdogan's ambitious goal is to ensure it catapults Turkey into the world's top ten economies by 2023. But the AKP's ″urban transformation project″ has many downsides. By Ceyda Nurtsch
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Eco-Islam: Noor al-Hussein speaks out

Islam, faith and climate change

The Islamic Declaration on Climate Change, endorsed in August by Islamic scholars from around the world, calls on countries to phase out greenhouse gas emissions and switch to 100% renewable energy. With 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide, the collective statement sends a strong signal ahead of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit later this month, and the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in December. By Noor al-Hussein, Queen of Jordan
By Noor al-Hussein
Non-fiction: ″Angst ums Abendland″ by Daniel Bax

The apocalyptics of the West

In his book "Angst ums Abendland" (Fears For the West), taz journalist Daniel Bax presents a detailed examination of why contemporary Europe should not be afraid of Muslims, but of Islamophobes. A review by Emran Feroz
By Emran Feroz
Islamic banking

Seattle's initiative has Muslims hopeful

Seattle’s city council is launching a programme of Sharia-compliant loans with the aim of improving the long-term prospects of the local Muslim community. Those forced to live in high-cost rental property are now in a position to consider the alternatives. By Joseph Mayton
By Jospeh Mayton
Refugees in Israel

Waiting for Holot

Holot, Israel′s desert detention centre, recently released 1,200 asylum seekers. With the state dragging its feet over the processing of asylum applications, however, thousands more are likely to receive a summons. By Ylenia Gostoli
By Ylenia Gostoli
Jihadism

Islamic State's perversion of "Hijra"

"Hijra" – originally the peaceful migration of Muslims to countries where they would be spared persecution – has been hijacked by the militants. Now it is serving to radicalise and recruit Muslims around the globe. By Rebecca Gould
By Rebecca Gould
Corruption in Egypt

Model student becomes anti-corruption icon

One student’s fate is fuelling the public outcry against corruption within Egyptian society. Following the government's resignation on Saturday, hope is now pinned on the new premier-designate Sharif Ismail. By Elisabeth Lehmann in Cairo
By Elisabeth Lehmann
Egypt′s media and the new anti-terror law

Towing the government line

The anti-terror law passed in mid-August has struck fear into the hearts of journalists and bloggers in Egypt. It imposes legal limits on how they report terrorist attacks, severely curtailing freedom of speech. Background by Mustafa Hashem in Cairo
By Mustafa Hashem
One Syrian refugee’s story

″I could no longer live in Syria″

Syrian refugee Alaa Houd left his job and family and hired people smugglers to make his way to the wealthy countries of Western Europe. Hiring people smugglers was his only way of leaving war-torn Syria. Diana Hodali spoke to Syrian Alaa Houd and recounts his story for him
By Diana Hodali
Portrait of the refugee helper Father Zerai

"All these people want is a chance"

The feisty Catholic priest Mussie Zerai is a staunch advocate of the rights of refugees in Italy and has already saved countless lives. A candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize, he is known as the "refugees' guardian angel". Many refugees simply call him "Father Moses". By Andrea Backhaus
By Andrea Backhaus
The National Museum in Beirut

Fighting to save the region's cultural heritage

As world heritage sites in Iraq and Syria continue to be bombed, blown up and bulldozed, the question as to what can be done to save their historical treasures has taken on a new urgency. The National Museum in Beirut is playing its part in trying to save the region's cultural heritage. By Juliane Metzker in Beirut
By Juliane Metzker
Converts to Islam

German Islam

Germans who adopt Islam not out of frustration but out of a sincere passion for the religion are often disappointed by those born into the Muslim faith, finding that they insufficiently embody the beauty of Islamic doctrine and spirituality. By Charlotte Wiedemann
By Charlotte Wiedemann