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Paris, protests and the politics of blame: how a revolt over school conditions and living costs was turned into a fight about Islam

Tahir Ali Shah By the time Donald Trump stood outside the White House on 19 October and claimed that Paris would soon become a Muslim city, the French capital was already burning for reasons that had nothing to do with religion. Students had been on the streets for weeks, frustrated by rising prices and run-down classrooms. Yet within days, two of the world’s most prominent leaders had given the domestic unrest an entirely new narrative, reframing a revolt over living costs into a story about Islam, migration, and a Europe in danger. To understand what unfolded across France, it helps to look past the political rhetoric and look at the facts on the ground. The trouble did not begin with mosques or border crossings. It started late last month with high school students protesting deplorable school conditions, underfunded facilities, dilapidated buildings, and severe staff shortages, particularly in poorer neighborhoods. The anger spread rapidly. By 17 October, an estimated 550,000 ...
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When Money Runs Out, Protection Must Not

When Money Runs Out, Protection Must Not By Tahir Ali Shah I have spent about twenty years working with families who had to leave everything behind. I have worked in Pakistan, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and Nigeria. In all those places, one lesson keeps returning. People can survive hunger for a while, but they cannot survive without safety. That is the meaning of protection, a word many people in aid work use and few outside it understand. Protection is not only about lawyers and legal papers. It means keeping people safe from violence, abuse, forced return and neglect. It is a lamp placed where women sleep. It is a latrine built close to the shelter. It is a child without parents being found and cared for on the first day. It is a registration card that tells a refugee, “you exist, and you have a right to services”. Listening to a recent interview with UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Protection made me think again about where we stand : Cli...
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Beyond Aid: Why the Future of Refugee Protection is a Job Offer

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For too long, the world has viewed refugees only as "vulnerabilities" waiting for help . But as we navigate the reality of 2026, it is time for a new perspective. My latest research monograph, "Syrian Refugee Labour Mobility," explores how we can transform displacement into a solution by focusing on talent . The Resettlement Gap The traditional doors for refugees are closing. In 2025, global resettlement spots dropped to fewer than 30,000, meeting only 3.4% of the global need . Meanwhile, international funding for Syrian refugees has decreased by 40% . We cannot rely on old systems alone. The Talent is Already Here Refugees are not just survivors; they are professionals. ·        The Talent Catalog now holds the profiles of over 140,000 displaced job seekers . ·        These individuals are skilled in healthcare, tech, and engineering . ·    ...
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Pathways to Protection

Pathways to Protection A Strategic Roadmap for Afghan Documentation and Life in Pakistan (2025–2026 Edition) I am pleased to share my latest book, a practical 35-page guide designed to help Afghan families, policymakers, humanitarian workers, and community leaders understand the rapidly changing protection environment in Pakistan. As of 2026, nearly two million Afghans in Pakistan are facing major uncertainty following the expiry of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards and the implementation of Phase 3 of the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP). This book explains what these policy shifts mean in real, everyday terms. Inside this roadmap, you will find: • A clear explanation of PoR cards, Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), and undocumented status • Step-by-step guidance on PCM centers and child registration • Practical information on voluntary return procedures and border processes • An overview of health, education, and banking access in Peshawar and KP • Legal options, in...
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The Humanitarian Superpower at a Crossroads: From Global Leadership to the 2026 Funding Crisis

The Humanitarian Superpower at a Crossroads: From Global Leadership to the 2026 Funding Crisis Tahir Ali Shah Throughout history, the concept of a “superpower” has evolved. In the past, powerful empires such as the British and Ottoman Empires controlled vast territories across the globe, shaping trade, politics, and military might. At that time, these empires seemed permanent and unshakeable. However, history demonstrates that no empire lasts forever. As those empires declined, a new power emerged; the United States. This rise was not by chance; it resulted from strong institutions, favorable geography, effective economic strategies, and democratic values. For the humanitarian world, America's ascent brought both opportunities and responsibilities. For decades, the U.S. became the largest donor and crisis responder globally. Today, however, that role faces significant challenges. How America Became a Superpower The foundation of America’s power was established in 1776 when the coun...
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