Search

Islamism Has Taken the Place of Communism as Divisive Force

The religiously and ethnically influenced separatist movements currently thriving in Southeast Asia show just how far the region has to go before nations based on consensus can be formed. Islamism has taken the place of communism as divisive force. By Manfred Rist

"Freedom of Religion Must Also Apply to Minorities"

Franz Magnis-Suseno is a German-born Jesuit Priest and professor of philosophy in Indonesia. In this interview with Anett Keller, the naturalised Indonesian citizen talks about Indonesia's anti-pornography law, religious tolerance, and the definition of blasphemy

March for Diversity

Human Rights Groups join the protest of Indonesian women against a new tough anti-pornography bill – the opposition to what many in Indonesia call the "Talibanization" of society is strong. Edith Koesoemawiria reports

Indonesia Loses Its Blind Seer

On 30 December last year Abdurrahman Wahid died in Jakarta at the age of sixty-nine. The first democratically elected president following the Suharto dictatorship, he had campaigned for interreligious dialogue and a peaceful Islam. An obituary by Armin Wertz

Dictator or National Hero?

Human rights activists say Indonesian President Suharto was a ruthless dictator, while others credit him with the country's economic upswing. Two years after the death of the long-time ruler, the nation has begun considering his legacy. By Jochen Buchsteiner

Speech Balloons for Sleepers

A German State Office for the Protection of the Constitution wants to deter students from radical Islamism – with a clichéd comic book and ingratiating advice such as "Don't play on the team of the mujaheddin". By Wolf Schmidt

A Comic Book Assassination of al-Qaida

Mohamed Sifaoui, an Algerian journalist and considered expert on radical Islamic ideologies, attempts to tackle radical Islamists by using humour as his weapon – and amply makes use of anti-Islamic clichés. By Joseph Croitoru

From Anti-Colonialism to Global Jihad

What are the roots of political Islam and what are the ideological tenets and goals of radical Islamic activists in Muslim countries? Franz Kogelmann provides an historic overview

Giving Life to the Jihad

One global idea, many local terrorist cells. Al Qaida’s attacks are a response to the vacuum created by the mainstreaming of Islamic movements. By Reinhard Schulze

Suicide Bombings Not Originally Islamist

The series of suicide bombings in recent years has led to the widespread notion that this weapon is of Islamist origin. But the history of suicide bombings shows that this is not the case. Joseph Croitoru takes a closer look