issue #1 (April 2026)
The inaugaral issue of PAX Magazine was printed and launched in April 2026. The full issue can be viewed and downloaded here, or you can send us an email to request a physical copy.
Below, the editors opening letter can be read in full.
Editor’s Letter
Dear Readers!
We are living in a time where the notion of peace is often overshadowed by the reality of conflict. As students of Peace and Conflict Studies, this is not only something that accompanies us in our workplaces and university matters, but also constitutes a big part of our everyday lives. Because of this, we wanted to create a space to share our experiences, interests, and topics that we believe deserve more attention.
Discussions surrounding conflict, peace and justice are often limited to academic and diplomatic circles. With PAX Magazine, we aim to challenge this tradition and open the conversation to a broader audience, as it is important to us that everyone feels invited to take part in these discussions and see their perspectives represented. In this initial edition, we therefore explore diverse aspects – from mechanisms of conflict and protest to lived experiences, peace in art and pop culture, as well as the power of history, space and remembrance.
As co-editors-in-chief, we are proud to present the first issue of PAX Magazine. We invite you to dive into the stories within and experience this beginning with us. PAX Magazine was a dream of many batches before us, which we carried forward with their inspiration and brought to life with our own unique touch.
Co-Editors-in-Chief, PAX Magazine
— Meryem Sultan Genç
— Lina Anuschka Steiner
References:
Mapping segregation: An essay on the potential of mapping conflict spaces and its application in West Belfast by Lena Merkle
Björkdahl, A., & Buckley-Zistel, S. (Eds.). (2016). Spatializing peace and conflict: Mapping the production of places, sites and scales of violence. Palgrave Macmillan.
Mikkelsen, B. (2005). Methods for development work and research: A new guide for practitioners. SAGE Publications India. https://doi.org/10.4135/9788132108566
Islamophobia as an Act of Militarisation by Lina Anuschka Steiner
Abadi, H., Beirich, H., Abdulhadi, R., Bouamama, S., Beydoun, K. A., Waheed, M., Mitchell, E. A., Mohamed, M., Kumar, D., Bazian, H., Khamis, S., Berlet, C., Ariyanto, D., Saeed, T., Esat-Daas, A., Almontaser, D., Michaelis, A., Khalifa, S., Chihab, Y., … Carter, J. (2018). Countering the Islamophobia industry: Toward more effective strategies. https://www.oic-oci.org/upload/islamophobia/2018/Carter_Center_Countering_The_Islamophobia_Industry.pdf
Afsaruddin, A. (2026). Jihad. In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/jihad
Awan, I., & Zempi, I. (2020). A working definition of Islamophobia. https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/Religion/Islamophobia-AntiMuslim/Civil%20Society%20or%20Individuals/ProfAwan-2.pdf
Bauke, J., Brauneis, S., Schönfeld, A., Keskinkılıç, O. Z., Halili, I., Biskamp, F., Cheema, S.-N., Tunç, M., Mohr, A. I., Jahn, S. J., Köroglu, E., Botens, A., Freise, J., Edis, A., Wayah, I., Meilicke, T., Korucu, C., & Hanke, S. (2019). Antimuslimischer Rassismus und muslimische Jugendarbeit in der Migrationsgesellschaft (A. Drücker & P. Baron, Eds.). Informations- und Dokumentationszentrum für Antirassismusarbeit e.V.
Bundesministerium des Innern & Bundeskriminalamt. (2025). Bundesweite Fallzahlen 2024: Politisch motivierte Kriminalität (BMI25045). https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/downloads/DE/publikationen/themen/sicherheit/BMI25045_pmk2024-factsheet.pdf
Gökce, O., & Brüsemeister, T. (2023). The image of Islam in German media. The Journal of SDE Academy, 5(3), 335–371. https://doi.org/10.58375/sde.1732815
Mediendienst Integration. (2025). Zahl islamistischer Straftaten. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from https://mediendienst-integration.de/extremismus/extremistischer-islamismus/zahl-islamistischer-straftaten/
Welt. (2025). Polizeigewerkschafter: „Wer Rechtsextremismus für die größte Gefahr hält, irrt gewaltig“ – Ostermann warnt vor Islamismus. Die Welt. https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article6937c10a11f914c89b85758e/polizeigewerkschafter-wer-rechtsextremismus-fuer-die-groesste-gefahr-haelt-irrt-gewaltig-ostermann-warnt-vor-islamismus.html
The Witnesses Around us: Understanding history and politics through architecture. Plattenbau estates in Magdeburg Neue Neustadt by Majbrit Hüttenhein
Barnstone, D. A. (2006). The transparent state: Architecture and politics in postwar Germany. Routledge.
Hofmann, E. (2024). Mit DDR-Plattenbau gegen die Wohnungsnot. Senkrechtstarter: Das Schindler Magazin. https://magazin.schindler.de/architektur/ddr-plattenbau
Minkenberg, M. (2014). Power and architecture: The construction of capitals, the politics of space, and the space of politics. In M. Minkenberg (Ed.), Power and architecture: The construction of capitals and the politics of space (Vol. 12, pp. 1–30). Berghahn Books.
Ottersbach, N. (Director). (2023, December 29). Sachsen-Anhalt: Plattenbaurenaissance, Leerstand und soziale Fragen [Radio broadcast]. Deutschlandfunk. https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/sachsen-anhalt-plattenbaurenaissance-leerstand-und-soziale-fragen-dlf-59223c62-100.html
Richter, P. (2006). Der Plattenbau als Krisengebiet: Die architektonische und politische Transformation industriell errichteter Wohngebäude aus der DDR am Beispiel der Stadt Leinefelde (Doctoral dissertation, University of Hamburg).
Art, Power and Politics by Pragya Gautam
Associated Press. (2025, January 26). Indonesia showcases returned artifacts it had sought for decades from Netherlands. Voice of America. https://www.voanews.com/a/indonesia-showcases-returned-artifacts-it-had-sought-for-decades-from-netherlands-/7949888.html
Awale, S. (2025, June 18). Repatriation for reconciliation. Nepali Times. https://nepalitimes.com/news/repatriation-for-reconciliation
Daily Mail. (2026, February 3). Margot Robbie is accused of “white washing” after wearing a “stolen” diamond to the premiere of controversial Wuthering Heights. Daily Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15524463/Margot-Robbie-white-washing-wearing-stolen-diamond-premiere-Wuthering-Heights.html
Fernandez, B. (2025, October 23). Why the Louvre heist feels like justice—but isn’t. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/10/23/why-the-louvre-heist-feels-like-justice-but
France 24. (2026, January 29). French Senate approves draft bill to simplify return of colonial-era artefacts. France 24. https://www.france24.com/en/france/20260129-french-lawmakers-approve-framework-law-facilitate-return-colonial-artefact
Guerrin, M. (2025, October 24). The Louvre’s stolen jewels, valuable only for their gemstones, are above all outdated and cumbersome. Le Monde. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2025/10/24/the-louvre-s-stolen-jewels-valuable-only-for-their-gemstones-are-above-all-outdated-and-cumbersome_6746751_23.html
Pant, A. (2025, December 7). Kathak. In Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/kathak
Srivastava, S. (2026, January 31). Indians fume over Margot Robbie’s “Elizabeth Taylor” necklace. Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/desi-internet-fumes-over-margot-robbies-elizabeth-taylor-necklace-they-be-stealing-our-whole-culture-101769832993451.html
The Times of India. (2025, May). Diljit Dosanjh’s fans call out racism over Met Gala look. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/diljit-dosanjhs-fans-call-out-racism-over-met-gala-look-fume-over-punjabi-star-being-denied-permission-to-wear-patiala-necklace/articleshow/120952908.cms
Walter, Y. (2022, May 17). Mystery at Met Gala 2022: Did Emma Chamberlain wear a stolen necklace? International Gem Society. https://www.gemsociety.org/news/2022/05/17/mystery-met-gala-2022-did-emma-chamberlain-wear-stolen-necklace/
Peace and Conflict and Board Games
Flanagan, M. (2009). Critical play: Radical game design. MIT Press. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/7678.001.0001
Flanagan, M., & Jakobsson, M. (2023). Playing oppression: The legacy of conquest and empire in colonialist board games. MIT Press. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/11779.001.0001
PeaceGeneration Indonesia. (2019). Board game for peace. https://peacegen.id/en/program/p/board-game-peace
Pobuda, T. (2018). Assessing gender and racial representation in the board game industry. Analog Game Studies. https://analoggamestudies.org/2018/12/assessing-gender-and-racial-representation-in-top-rated-boardgamegeek-games
Woods, S. (2012). Eurogames: The design, culture and play of modern European board games. McFarland & Company.
A Nation Held in Terror: How the Taliban Govern Through Fear by Wasil Peroz
Arendt, H. (1976). The origins of totalitarianism. Harcourt Brace & Company.
Foucault, M. (1995). Discipline and punish: The birth of the prison (2nd Vintage Books ed.). Vintage Books.