Der Pate von Berlin

Intense, explosive, unvarnished: The brutal everyday reality of Arab clans.

My word counts. Not only within my own family but also among other clans. Yugoslavs, Turks, Kurds, Russians – we all know each other and respect one another. If someone makes a mistake, we might overlook it. But when the boundary of respect is crossed, blood is shed.

A ruthless look behind the scenes of Arab-Lebanese clans. Mahmoud Al-Zein is the head of the Al-Zein clan, one of the most influential families in Germany. The incredible life story of the godfather of Berlin.

Arab clans dominate German city centers and regularly make headlines. There is hardly a week without reports of spectacular robberies, family feuds, or no-go areas. The clans have long since become part of German popular culture, shaping the rap scene and inspiring successful series like 4 Blocks and Gangs of Berlin. However, what really happens within these extended families has long been kept silent. Until now.

One of the most influential Arab clans in Germany is the Al-Zeins, with over 5,000 members. Their leader, Mahmoud Al-Zein, is as well-known as he is notorious as the godfather of Berlin. He is the first to break the silence and candidly report on the inner workings of his family organization: his rise to power, conflicts with the law, feuds with rivals, the law of the family, and the brutal struggle for dominance on the streets.

His book is a brutally honest account from a man who no longer wants to rule but to enlighten. He shares the highs of his time as one of the most powerful figures in the underworld while also warning of the price this power exacts. He has paid that price himself, having spent a long time in prison, and now he is committed to ensuring that the younger generation learns from his mistakes. An unparalleled insight into the inner workings of Arab clans and a testament.