Education
All topics-
The uncertain future of Kurdish autonomy
What next for Iraqʹs Kurds?
A sense of resignation and pessimism is spreading through the Kurdistan region of Iraq, especially among the younger generation. The economic standstill, rampant youth unemployment and the omnipotence of the clans are driving people to despair. Dara Alani reports from Sulaymaniyah
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Berlinʹs Binooki publishing house
Cultural rapprochement hamstrung by Erdogan
Set up to foster understanding between Germany and Turkey by distributing Turkish literature in translation, Binooki, a niche publishing house founded in Berlin by daughters of Turkish guest workers, is fighting for survival – thanks to Erdogan. By Ulrich von Schwerin
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The Levant
Jordan's fragile stability
Jordan is considered an anchor of stability in a region shaken by crises. Yet one year on from the protests of May 2018, the country continues to face massive economic and political challenges. With youth unemployment on the rise – feeding massive social frustration – criticism of poor governance in the kingdom is growing. By Claudia Mende
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The demise of Modern Standard Arabic
Tongue-tied Arabs
It is one of the most important Semitic world languages. One of the six official languages of the UN. The language of Ibn Arabis – and of the Koran. And yet Modern Standard Arabic is not very popular with native speakers. Why? Mona Sarkis has some of the answers
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Religion and media in Turkey
Reviving Sufism with Yunus Emre
The TV series "Yunus Emre: The journey of love" was a massive hit in Turkey when it was first aired four years ago. But this popular television spectacle is not the only evidence of a renewed interest in Sufi spirituality in Turkey. Marian Brehmer reports from Istanbul
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The drive towards "home-grown" imams
Islam in, from and for Germany
In an effort to curb foreign influence and foster integration, the German government is pressing for imams to be educated locally, in Germany. But will its Muslim communities back the idea? By Seda Serdar & Deger Akal
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Interview with Lebanese film director Nadine Labaki
"Children are the first to pay for our wars"
In "Capernaum", Nadine Labaki tells the dismal story of Zain, a boy living on the streets of Beirut. She calls the system behind it "modern slavery". Paul Katzenberger spoke to the Lebanese director
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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
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Peace talks with the Taliban
Where are Afghanistan's women?
To ensure the interests of women are also taken into account in the peace talks with the Taliban, they must participate on an equal footing in the negotiations, their organisation and the implementation of the peace process. By Anne-Marie Slaughter and Ashley Jackson
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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
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Interview with the UKʹs Lead Commissioner for Countering Extremism Sara Khan
"Weʹre living through an era of extremism"
In a bid for more dialogue, Sara Khan, UKʹs Lead Commissioner for Countering Extremism, calls on individuals to challenge extremism and on countries to ensure they defend and promote equality, human rights, pluralism and diversity. Interview by Ismail Nermin
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Interfaith initiatives from Morocco to Jerusalem
Dialogue by design
Landscape architecture is a field that grapples with social inequality and spatial complexity – two characteristics that Jerusalem embodies. Sarah Turkenicz compares the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem with the Akrich tree nursery in Morocco and argues for a more sympathetic design approach when dealing with interfaith relations