When a dystopian reality is uncomfortably familiar

In ‘What Strange Paradise’, Omar El Akkad prompts readers to reflect on the ethical complexities of humanitarianism and the pervasive Islamophobia in contemporary society.

In 2015, the picture of Alan Kurdi went viral on social media and became a sensation of sorts. Alan was a Kurdish toddler whose parents were crossing the Mediterranean Sea to escape the tyranny in their country. Tragically, their journey ended in disaster. The widespread sharing of Alan’s image reflected a collective sense of sorrow and empathy for their plight. The outpour on social media showcased one thing for certain: god may or may not be dead in this century, but human conscience certainly is.