Politics

Protest against Mohammed Cartoons

"The Reactions Are Themselves Caricatures"

Raja Ben Slama, professor for literature in Tunisia, warns that violent reactions in the Islamic world to the caricatures of the Prophet seem proof that Islam indeed has a tendency to be narrow-minded and theologically rigid
Dealing with Hamas

The Islamists' Dilemma

Hamas's Catch-22 situation, caught between massive international pressure and its domestic commitments, seems almost insoluble. Will the organisation stop being a radical resistance movement and become a political party? Helga Baumgarten takes a critical look
German Iraqi Trade

Positive Trend under Adverse Circumstances

Germany is one of Iraq's most important trade partners, but the kidnapping of two German engineers in the country shows that investment currently holds risks. A German-Iraqi trade conference tried to boost confidence. By Martina Sabra
Protest against Mohammed Cartoons

Where Are the Sober-Minded People?

It goes without says that religion can be criticised, says Aiman A. Mazyek. At the same time he points out that indignation is also a human right. In this article, Mazyek takes a look at the cartoon conflict from both sides
Analysis Mohammed Cartoon Conflict

Arab Protests Are Calculated Political Response

Mass protests and boycotts in the Arab world are exaggerated reactions to the Mohammed cartoon and an example of how governments instrumentalize hatred against the West for political purposes. Ibrahim Mohamad reports
Muslim Organisations in France

Fatwas against Rioting

How can one achieve calm in the long-term in the French suburbs with their social problems, economic misery and ethnic discrimination? The French state has decided to call upon the help of Muslim organisations. By Bernard Schmid
Europe in the Arab Media

Differentiated Perception

Whether discussions on controversial prophet caricatures in a Danish newspaper or naturalization tests for Muslims – the theme of European Muslims is not only making headlines in Europe, but in the Islamic world as well. By Götz Nordbruch
Escalating Conflict about Prophet Caricatures

Bomb in Turban

After the publication of the provocative Mohammed caricatures in a Danish newspaper the question has been raised about whether certain rights such as the freedom of speech and the press should find their limits where the freedom of the other is affected. By Peter Philipp
Afghanistan

Taking Stock of Four Years of Reconstruction

The goals of the Petersberg Agreement have largely been met: an emergency and constituent Loya Jirga was convened and presidential and parliamentary elections were held. But the country is still in hot water, writes Martin Gerner
Islamophobia in French Media

An Imaginary Conception of an Essentialised Islam

In his book "Imaginary Islam: The media's construction of Islamophobia in France", the political scientist Thomas Deltombe reveals certain parallels in the way Islam is perceived by the French media and by ultra-conservative Muslims. By Bernard Schmid
Islamic Terrorism in Indonesia

Jihad Misunderstood?

A video containing admissions by three of the suicide bombers who perpetrated the Bali attacks of 1 October has triggered a long-overdue debate amongst Muslims in Indonesia about Islamist terrorism. Bettina David reports
Indonesia

How Do Women Influence Political Islam?

Efforts to influence political Islam are made by Indonesian women both within the Islamic movement and outside it. Which is more effective is difficult to say. However women in Indonesia have changed their political strategies considerably. By Susan Blackburn