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Islamic Feminism and Reformist Islam

Against the Politicisation of the Koran

Muslim feminists such as Amina Wadud use the Koran to argue in favour of women's rights and against the patriarchal system. But unfortunately, as Nimet Seker writes, some feminists are falling into the apologist trap and running the risk of politically exploiting Islam
Portrait of the Egyptian Lawyer Gamal Eid

''Revolutions aren't led by polite people''

Egypt still has a long way to go before it can be regarded as a state adhering to the rule of law. Gamal Eid from the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information accuses the Military Council of committing serious human rights abuses. Claudia Mende introduces the combative lawyer
Syria after the Houla Massacre

The Long Road to a ''Yemeni Solution''

In view of the hopelessness of the Syrian conflict, several nations are now considering a "Yemeni solution": a negotiated, temporary transition of power to a representative of Assad and the exile of the president as a way of initiating genuine national dialogue. By Volker Perthes
Political Perspectives after the Massacre in Syria

Time for Plan B

The Houla massacre signals the definitive failure of the peace accord drawn up by Kofi Annan, the joint UN and Arab League special envoy to Syria. Now, the only alternative is a peace mission to Syria agreed by all five veto powers on the UN Security Council. Commentary by Andreas Zumach
Egyptian Blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad

''The Elections Are a Deception''

"The presidential elections are not free and democratic," says Egyptian human rights activist Maikel Nabil Sanad, who was arrested and imprisoned and freed in January following widespread international protest. By Bettina Marx
Anja Hilscher's Book "Image Problem"

Addressing the Problem of Islam's Image

In her book "Image Problem: the image of evil Islam and my colourful Muslim World", Anja Hilscher has attempted to tackle head on some of the stereotypical perceptions of Islam. In the end, however, she falls into the trap of merely reinforcing some of these prejudices. Annett Hellwig has been reading the book
The Turkish Women's Rights Activist Selen Lermioğlu Yılmaz

''The Government Is Trying to Intrude in People's Private Lives''

In May the Turkish government announced its plan to limit women's access to legal abortion, later dropping the item from the parliament's agenda after harsh reactions from society. While the debate was a divisive one, it did at least provide an umbrella issue beneath which women's groups rallied, says Selen Lermioğlu Yılmaz in this interview
Violence against Minorities in Indonesia

Democracy without Tolerance

The violence against minorities in Indonesia has reached new, terrible heights. While Islamist hardliners target Christians and supporters of the Islamic Ahmadiyya, the state turns a blind eye. Andy Budiman has the details
French International Footballer Hatem Ben Arfa

Bad Boy Coming Good

French striker Hatem Ben Arfa's career hasn't exactly been of the storybook variety. The 25-year-old son of Tunisian immigrants went on strike at Olympique Marseille, became involved in a whole series of escapades, and finally moved on to Newcastle United, where he became the victim of a career-threatening foul. Now, it seems, he has finally come of age. André Tucic reports
The French football star Samir Nasri

Anything but pussy-footed

The French national football team has regained its strength. And one of the players who had a large part to play in that achievement is Samir Nasri – whose family's roots lie in Algeria. Nasri's hot temper has often caused trouble – both on and off the pitch. By André Tucic