With its outstanding publishing houses and a freedom of speech unique in the region, Lebanon has become a paradise for many writers from more authoritarian Arab states where strict censorship is the order of the day. Lebanon's neighbour, Syria, is the prime example. Susanne Schanda reports
Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have started constructing nuclear power stations for peaceful power generation purposes; other countries are keen to follow suit. In doing so, they are ignoring the risks associated with nuclear technology. Environmentalists and energy experts are warning about the possible environmental and security consequences. Christoph Dreyer and Stephan
Omar Souleyman does not come from a musical family. But when he and his band began to transfer traditional instruments to keyboard, they created a whole new style – electro dabke. Signing to an American label has given the Syrian a world audience. He talked to Stefan Franzen
The history of Christianity in Iraq dates back to the first century AD, but since the outbreak of sectarian violence in the country following the US invasion of 2003, many Christians are fleeing their homeland and finding sanctuary in Syria. Stephen Starr reports from Damascus
Not one, but two new Tunisian documentary films focus on the politically motivated assassinations of Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi. The results couldn't be more different: while Habib Mestiri observes, Youssef Ben Ammar gets right into the thick of things, filming like a political activist. Two generations, two different approaches, two very different outcomes. Christina
In the 18th district of Paris, home to a large Islamic community, "L'Institut des Cultures d'Islam – Paris" has been founded upon the initiative of city authorities. Its task is to convey the diversity of Islamic culture. Suleman Taufiq visited the institute and interviewed its director Véronique Rieffel
Abdelaziz Aouragh opened the world's first halal shop for sexual enhancement products. It is but one indication that many young Muslims are charting their own course in managing adherence to a faith whose sexual morals historically have been interpreted by arch conservatives. James M. Dorsey reports
Egypt faces severe environmental challenges – but there is little environmental awareness among the public. Even leading intellectuals are interpreting news of global warming as a chimera created by "the West". Joseph Mayton reports
Aboubakr Jamaï is one of the most prominent representatives of Morocco's independent press and holds the 2010 Gebran Tueni Award of the World Association of Newspapers. He speaks to Claus Josten about his criticism, not only of the Moroccan government, but also of the role of Europe and the USA in the Moroccan situation
Lebanese writer Alawiyya Sobh is one of Arab literature's self-confident voices. She is a writer who mercilessly dissects patriarchal Arab society, exposing the oppression of women, who are always at the centre of her novels. Mona Naggar talked to the author about her most famous novel to date, Maryam of the Stories