Most recent articles by Thomas Bärthlein
-
Pakistani crime writer Omar Shahid HamidA nexus of crime
Whatever the reason for Pakistan′s biggest city not being chosen more often as the setting of great crime fiction, it cannot be for a lack of material. The suspense-packed Karachi novels by former anti-terrorism cop Omar Shahid Hamid mesmerise and disturb at the same time, revealing a complex web of relationships, where ″justice″ becomes a highly relative notion. Thomas Baerthlein met the author in London, where he currently lives and works
-
The not-so-United KingdomA potentially sticky wicket
Although a majority of Asian and Muslim voters rejected a Brexit, about a third did vote for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. Thomas Baerthlein reports from London about their motives – and increasing concerns about the negative fallout of the referendum on all ethnic minorities, particularly Asians and Muslims
-
″The Diary of a Hounslow Girl″Bursting the bubble
British Pakistani actress, playwright and comedian Ambreen Razia is currently touring the UK with her acclaimed one-woman play ″The Diary of a Hounslow Girl″. In it, 16-year-old Shaheeda talks non-stop about running away, her mother who does not understand her, a fight with her friend on the bus and a messed-up Pakistani wedding. Ambreen Razia spoke to Thomas Baerthlein about being a Muslim girl growing up in London, the struggle with ″British identity″ and the importance of Sadiq Khan′s election as Mayor of London