By Christian Nielsen Donald Trump’s latest impeachment throws a spotlight on the politics of grievance, the role of social media and the dangers of hate speech spilling over into real life. Fortunately, the pushback has started. Thursday 18 February 2021…
Tag: germany
Moria and the smouldering ruins of Europe’s humanity
By BoÅ¡tjan VidemÅ¡ek in Lesbos The refugees and migrants who survived the fire at the Moria camp in Lesbos find themselves in an even worse predicament as authorities repeat the same dire mistakes. Thursday 8 October 2020 Safia R (not…
Defining tyranny: Hitler, a dictionary and the death of a Jewish Arabist
By Khaled Diab The world’s best-known Arabic dictionary started off as a Nazi propaganda project and cost a young Jewish scholar her life. It’s time Hedwig Klein received the posthumous recognition she deserves. Thursday 30 July 2020 Dictionaries are like…
The mediocrity of evil
Many of the leaders held up as representing the epitome of evil were extraordinarily and spectacularly untalented, incapable and incompetent. With this mediocrity of evil, it is almost a wonder that they managed to rise to the top at all.…
Beyond belief: Arab atheists and their quest for acceptance amid intolerance
By Khaled Diab Atheists are amongst the most marginalised and persecuted minorities in the Arab world. Despite the risks atheists face from the state and vigilantes, atheism has become more visible and vocal in recent years, leading to greater public…
Robust health systems are society’s first line of defence against pandemics
Belgium has long been written off as a dysfunctional and failing state, yet its response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been surprisingly functional and successful. This highlights how effective healthcare acts as society’s immune system. Wednesday 6 May 2020 With its chronic, record-breaking inability to…
Arab exiles: Fleeing nightmares or chasing dreams
When Arab revolutionary dreams turn into anti-revolutionary nightmares, the fortunate ones find safety abroad. But with exile comes unprocessed trauma, guilt, fear and painful yearnings for home.
Memory lanes: The smell of childhood and lemons in Cologne
By Christian Nielsen Rows and rows of the now iconic 4711 bottles arranged in the display window of Cologne’s famous ‘House of Fragrances’ were a trip down memory lane for Christian Nielsen. Monday 24 June 2019 Winter mornings, the smell…
Racists exploit BDS and Israel to advance their agendas of hatred
As recent motions in the German Bundestag and US Congress reveal, both the BDS and pro-Israel movements are exploited by racists as fig leafs to further their agendas. These racists must be exposed and challenged.
Citizenship is a universal right, even for ISIS members
The death of Shamima Begum’s infant son underscores the injustice of depriving alleged terrorists and jihadis of their citizenship. It also sets a dangerous precedent that can come back to haunt and hurt everyone in society.
