Muslims are the majority in bosnia and herzegovina, and they live in harmony alongside christians and jews. This Multicultural Society with its modern take on islam, in which few muslim women wear a headscarf and men and women pray together in mosques, is often called a model of diversity, a beacon for europe. But, with a recent influx of islamic extremists the return of hundreds of young bosnian men who fought for the Islamic State in syria the peaceful climate is now under threat. Reporter ramadan for muslims, the fasting period. As imam, Sadrudin Iseric leads the afternoon prayer at the Central Mosque in sarajevo, the capital of bosnia and herzegovina. The imam is one of the countrys most influential religious leaders. People listen to him, especially in times of crisis. Following the many attacks by radical islamists in europe, he is all the more dedicated to representing liberal, openminded, europeanized, bosnian islam. Sadrudin we, as the bosnian Islamic Community, reject every form of radical behavior. We are very aware of our situation. We are an old, traditional Muslim Community in europe with a responsibility to educate nonmuslims about our peaceful religion and to see that they accept it as such. Reporter former religious leaders of bosnian islam are buried in the courtyard of the Central Mosque. Unlike in very strict forms of islam in the middle east, these deceased leaders are venerated after their deaths like they are in bosnias other religions. Sadrudin iseric expects all muslims in bosnia to adhere to this variant of islam. Sadrudin here, we have no mosques and no imams that dont have the valid decree of the grand mufti. So everything is within the system. Reporter in reality, since the bosnian war, fundamentalists have been steering certain villages in a different direction. We drove to northeastern bosnia, where some villages near the Industrial City of tuzla are dominated by radical salafists. After some hard searching, we found a prayer room in the kula neighborhood. The prayer room has no minaret. The call to prayer is made on the street. Emir cajic is the only fundamentalist in the region who was willing to talk with us. The salafists demand that women wear fullbody veils. They completely reject alcohol consumption. Their interpretation of islam contrasts sharply with Bosnian Muslim traditions, which have been more tolerant for centuries. Emir the worship doesnt develop in islam. Customs develop, but the worship doesnt. The worship must be commanded strictly by allah and strictly by his prophet. Reporter the police keep a close watch on the islamists. They are suspected of being in contact with radical groups in the middle east and of being funded by them. They are opposed to bosnias European Form of islam. For example, the veneration of former clergymen at their graves. Emir they dont even explain to these people that it is a bad thing that those graves exist. But that wasnt the main reason we departed from them. Apart from that were certain irregularities in the way the Islamic Community practices the faith, the way they dont actually do their job. Reporter in the impoverished neighborhood of kula, emir cajics group is firmly established. The salafists dont even talk with the official Islamic Community. Emir once you draw a line, you draw borderlines, there arent any disagreements. You know where you are and you know where the other person is. Reporter and yet, imam iseric in sarajevo says all of bosnias muslims belong to one bosnian Islamic Community his. Sadrudin its still under control. Everything is under control. They are not any threat. Reporter in reality, hundreds of radicals are said to have left bosnia to join the fanatical i. S. Fighters in syria. Every evening since the beginning of ramadan, Sadrudin Iserics adherents break their fasts in celebration above sarajevos roofs. But the fundamentalists pose an increasing threat to this liberal, lifeaffirming European Form of islam. Michelle emmanuelle latrey and her husband longed for children. Increasing threat to this and after using in vitro fertilization, they were ecstatic when they discovered they were having twins. But both were born with severe disabilities, which the french couple blame on the medication emmanuelle was given during her pregnancy one whose side effects they say were undisclosed. Their plight has exposed a drug scandal involving thousands of other families just like them. Reporter raising two disabled children is something emmanuelle latreille never expected. Her son erwan is severely autistic and will likely never be able to live on his own. Daughter azenor suffers from a weakness of the muscles. The twins parents are convinced that their childrens disabilities were caused by depakine. This drug used to treat epilepsy was prescribed to emmanuelle latreille during pregnancy. Emmanuelle im extremely angry, especially at the manufacturer and the french state. Theyd known of the dangers for a while, but didnt pass this information on to doctors and patients. We were treated like children and not given the opportunity to make our own decisions. Reporter shes just one of several thousand parents in france who were affected. Marine martin was the first to make the scandal public there. She also has two disabled children. Marine is the founder of a Parents Association which has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer, pharmaceutical giant sanofi, and the french government. It accuses them of hushing up the health risks to unborn babies. Marine believes that the reasons are purely financial. Marine lots of women take depakine. It takes some time for them to get used to taking the drug, but then they take it their whole life. If the drugs makers were honest and told women that this medication is toxic for unborn babies, theyd probably lose a big part of their market share. Reporter sanofi has defended itself by saying that for some women there is no alternative to depakine. Its active ingredient, valproic acid, is an anticonvulsant used to prevent severe epileptic seizures which can be very dangerous during pregnancy. And it says the drugs sideeffects are wellknown. Amel sanofi has regularly warned of the risks of taking the drug. Its our duty to pass on the latest scientific information that we are aware of to the Health Authorities and we have complied completely and fully. We have exercised due diligence. Reporter but those affected vehemently deny that. They say no one informed them of the full extent of the risks involved. At the time, the Pharmaceutical Company simply spoke of a slightly elevated risk of physical disabilities but not of severe, mental disorders. Studies show that children whose mothers ingested valproic acid suffer from similar symptoms. Franck the depakine children all have similar facial features. Looking at them, you can clearly see their mothers took the drug, though some were harmed more than others. Reporter franck and emmanuelle are doing everything to ensure their children can attend a regular school in spite of their disabilities. We ask erwan if he likes school and has friends, but he doesnt respond. Depakine is the only drug thats been able to keep emmanuelles epilepsy in check. But as much as she loves her children, emanuelle says that had she known the risks, she would never have tried to get pregnant. The twins were conceived through in vitro fertilization. Emmanuelle my husband and i would have adopted children. Franck wed have chosen to adopt straight off even though the process takes years. But it wouldve have been better to wait. Reporter now the dangers are not only listed on the drugs information leaflet, but on the package itself. Its a small but important victory for the affected parents even if sanofi continues to sell the drug in other countries without this warning label. But what the parents want most is for those responsible to be held accountable in court. Franck whether it takes 10 years, 20, or to the end of our lives, we wont give up. Reporter theyre fighting for justice for themselves and their children. Michelle the drugs active ingredient is used not only to treat epilepsy, but also migraines and depression. This means that many more women were exposed to the drug than previously thought. And it is still being prescribed not just in france, but to women all over the world. Like many people in europe, Fabio Zgraggen was devastated when he saw so many migrants and refugees risking their lives to reach europe. The 31yearold swiss wanted to do something to help. So he started a private aid agency where pilots fly from malta to libya and back again searching for people who may get into trouble when crossing open water. Despite providing much needed help, his good intentions are criticized. Reporter Fabio Zgraggen gets his propellerdriven airplane ready for takeoff at malta airport. At 31 years old, the swiss native is the youngest pilot in a private aid Organizations Program to rescue refugees and migrants at sea. Today, a new pilot from germany is being trained. In the next few days, hes supposed to fly the plane 200 miles from malta, off the coast of libya, as aerial support for the rescue ships of private organizations. Fabio we see the various rescue ships, we see the whole area where they operate. We see these boats with refugees. Even from the air, we see the disastrous situations of boats sinking and people drowning. We see the whole thing from the air. Reporter a reconnaissance flight of this kind lasts five hours. No first or Business Class here. The pilot, copilot, and two observers share the small cabin. Their task is to report the position and state of danger of refugee boats on the open waters. Then, its a race against time for rescue ships. Fabio we see the same situation time and again overloaded ngo ships barely have the situation under control, and it often ends in disaster. Reporter this situation isnt even barely under control. Here, at easter, more than 9000 people had to be rescued in just a few days. For many on the unseaworthy rubber dinghies, help came too late. Fabio you can see how the boat is losing air and some people are already in the water. It doesnt take long before these people drown. Within five minutes, the first of them will die. Reporter the team in the cockpit radios the position of the castaways to other private rescue organizations, whose ships then rush to help the refugees. Its a wellorganized system. But europes Border Protection Agency Frontex disapproves of the private rescuers. It says the ngos are helping the libyan peoplesmugglers know where to look for business. Ewa we know as a fact that the rescue operations over the past two years have moved further and further south. They know that. Thats one of the things that theyre aware of. And thats one of the reasons why the rescuers are getting closer and closer to the territorial waters of libya. Reporter frontexs standpoint angers rescuers like fabio, who endanger themselves to save refugees. Official European Missions are providing less and less assistance at sea. Fabio precisely because of the accusations that are being made and with the dwindling of support for european ships we are very much on the defensive. Reporter but the rescuers still get support from the Situation Center of italys coast guard. All the rescue efforts in the southern mediterranean are coordinated here, increasingly with the help of ngos. Especially since the libyan coast guard began patrolling the mediterranean waters and sometimes causing dangerous incidents. Here, uniformed libyans are forcing migrants to turn away from the rescue ship of the Aid Organization doctors without borders. And here, a libyan patrol boat harasses a german aid ship that had set course for a boat full of refugees. Nicola various armed groups are fighting for power in libya including at sea. There are militias that present themselves as coast guard officers. You can never be sure. Anarchy reigns there. Reporter fabio is afraid that armed libyan boats are becoming an evergreater danger for rescuers, as well as refugees. Fabio sometimes they assist rescue efforts, but sometimes they hinder them. Sometimes they fire kalashnikovs. Its hard for ngos to estimate the level of danger. Reporter Fabio Zgraggen will soon take off again. He believes more europeans should volunteer for rescue missions as long as libya remains so unsafe for refugees and migrants. Michelle theres an area in britain which has managed to produce all of its own energy. Using water, wind, and the sun, the people there no longer need access to the national grid. The tiny island of eigg, off the coast of scotland, has turned out to be the world leader in renewable energy. But because many of their programs are funded by the eu, the impending brexit threatens the crack of their success. Reporter a daily Ferry Service connects eigg island to the scottish mainland. Charlie galli drives the islands only taxi along the islands only road. As a tiny, isolated community, they dont care much for rules and regulations. But brexit is causing concern. The time will probably come when they have to leave the eu, along with the rest of the united kingdom. And theyre worried. Charlie does anybody have an idea about the brexit situation . I think, yeah, after brexit there was a big apparently there were loads of people googling, what does brexit actually mean . Thats what google found and it was just people didnt really know. Charlie and we still dont know, thats the thing. Theres been no proper paper put out or no definition what its actually gonna mean to the average person in the street. Reporter the islanders are a rebellious bunch. Maggie fyffe has archived records from the islands past. They document how residents expelled the owner of eigg island, an english lord, 20 years ago. They thought he was a selfserving snob, and set fire to his rolls royce. Then, they collected money and eventually managed to buy eigg island for 1. 5 Million Pounds in the summer of 1997. It was a sensation, and the lord was history. Maggie the reason for buying eigg was because we didnt want other people to come in and tell us what happened here. It means that everybody now has a complete say in what happens here. Thats really important. And its part community, part environmental. But its the love of eigg that kind of glues everybody together, i would say. Reporter the islanders have become selfsufficient. For example, they now produce their own electricity, and enough for everyone on the island. Because of that, eigg has grown increasingly popular. For foreigners, too, like katrin bach from germany. Katrin its special because it shows its possible to produce all the electricity you need yourself. But people have also become more aware, like, ok people, we make this electricity ourselves, so there isnt an unlimited supply. You have to keep that in mind. Reporter eigg island receives Financial Support from the eu. So brexit could sound the death knell for eiggs free, selfgoverned, ecofriendly island life. Brussels hasnt only funded the islands electricity grid, but also their pier, Community Hall , and their three farmers. Like many other regions, eigg has been relying on eu subsidy programs. Alex i would suggest that maybe 40 of my turnover will be subsidy. It will be untenable for us to continue farming without support subsidies. Reporter unless the british economy steps into the breach. Camille the u. K. Government has got no interest whatsoever. And you know why . It is because unlike the eu, they do not have a territorial cohesion policy. And thats very, very worrying. Reporter theres another fear that fullyintegrated eu citizens will have to leave in case of a hard brexit, which Prime Minister theresa may currently wants. That would mean french citizen camille and germanborn katrin bach would have to go. Katrin i decided to move here because this is an eu country. Now, theres so much uncertainty. It feels like they pulled the rug out from under our feet. Reporter to the islanders, the eu is not just a financial lifeline, but also the epitome of openness. Charlie youd have to be a very narrowminded country that doesnt want to let people in to share what you have. So yeah, i think england tends to look inwards on itself far too much. Scotland embraces the people that come here because we are an openminded kind of society. Reporter but even though hope springs eternal, few islanders believe that scotland will actually achieve independence and remain in the eu. Michelle some of us view getting our haircut as a mere formality. The style has grown out, its getting a bit hot outside, the ends seem a bit dead. But for others, its more than that. Its a chance for human contact, an exchange of kind words, and for regaining a sense of dignity. Franziska dinter is a hairdresser who gives her time and skills free of charge to berlins homeless. Reporter just your average day at zoo train station in berlin. Homeless people wait in front of the railway shelter for free meals, a shower, and a haircut. Once a week, hairdresser Franziska Dinter cuts their hair as volunteer work. But wellgroomed hair is only part of her task. Franziska many of them just want someone to put an arm round them someone who has time to listen to them. Some of them call me mama or they say, if you were my mother, life would be very different. Reporter outside, it reeks of urine, hard liquor, and body odor. Inside, in Franziska Dinters hairdressing corner, there are sweet smells of hair mousse and moisturizer. Some of her customers obviously havent washed in quite some time. Some are even infested with lice. Franziska ive never felt disgusted by any of them. Ive used liters and liters of disinfectant, but ive never felt disgusted. Anselm i have to go back to the hospital. Franziska oh no. Is it serious . Anselm yes. Ive been there in a coma three times already. Reporter anselm used to work as a journalist. Then he fell ill. He lost his job and, three years ago, his apartment. Before he leaves, franziska gives him some worry dolls. He can tell them his troubles when shes not around. Franziska you always have a nice word for people, even if they dont understand you. Anselm may i give you a hug . Shes always been a friend to me. I dont just go to her for the free haircut, but for the good talks. Its a give and take situation. Reporter this backpack and his stuffed toy sheep are anselms only possessions. Franziska dinter knows what its like to be on a knife edge. Once she had her own home with her husband and two children. A major car accident changed everything. But she learned from fates blow. Franziska i always say, falling is bad, lying on the ground is worse, but not getting up again is the worst. Reporter if she hadnt had the accident, she would never have thought of volunteering her skills to the homeless. Franziska im thankful that my hands are still intact. This is my job. And if god gives me a few more years, ill continue doing it. Reporter franziska worked out that shes cut the hair of more than 11,000 people in need. And that number will just keep growing. Michelle thats it for today. Thank you for watching. Let us know what you think about that or any of todays stories by sending me a tweet or visiting our facebook page, dw stories. Until next time, goodbye. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] visit ncicap. Org] [voiceover] up next, its music city roots live from the factory. In this episode, instrumental twang with nashvilles steelism, ukulele star, jake shimabukuro, and an album debut from andrea zonn with guests vince gill and keb mo. National broadcast of music city roots is made possible by acceptance auto insurance, based in nashville, tennessee. Acceptance offers personal automobile coverage from coast to coast. More Information Available at acceptance. Com. You, your terms, accepted. [voiceover] franklin, tennessee. Inspired music. Local flavor. On the edge of nashville. Visit franklin. Com. Nissan. Proud sponsor of art and culture in our home state of tennessee. Nissan, innovation that excites. More information is available at nissanusa. Com. Vietti chile, made locally in music city
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