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Hussein Agha: "The Middle East’s great divide is not sectarianism"

The spectre of Sunni Shia sectarianism haunts the Middle East. It is blamed for chaos, conflict, and extremism. Yet, argues Hussein Agha, wrongly defining the struggles gripping the Middle East encourages misguided remedies.

A personal take on Israel

Twelve artists from different nations were invited to participate in the long-term project "This Place". The goal was to explore Israel from a personal perspective. Their photographs and video installations can now be viewed at the Jewish Museum in Berlin. By Heike Mund

How to be a Muslim woman: Muslim women face the same challenges as other women of faith

In the fourth episode of her podcast for BBC Radio 4, Sayeeda Warsi speaks to Julie Siddiqi about being a British Muslim woman, and why endless discussions about the burka stop more important conversations from taking place.

Photo essay: Embroidering for emancipation in Palestine

A decorative cloth for some, a sign of resistance for others. All the aspects of "tatreez" come to light in Fatima Abbadi's latest photo series. By Jan Tomes

It's a no brainer

The lesson of the Iraq War should not be that armed intervention is to be avoided per se, but that such action should only be undertaken when it is the best available strategy – and the results are likely to justify the costs. By Richard Haass

Scholar of Islamic Law Abdullahi An-Na'im: "We need a secular state"

Qantara dossier: "The Headscarf Controversy"

The wearing of headscarves is currently the subject of fierce debate – and not just in Germany. Throughout Europe, not to mention the Islamic world, the atmosphere is heated. We take a look at the different arguments, the historical background and the social realities associated with the dispute over headscarves.

UK charity urges vigilance after 'Punish a Muslim Day' letters