Society

The "Sharia Police" in Wuppertal

Playing on a widespread fear of Islam in Germany

Eleven young Salafists in bright orange vests with the words "Shariah Police" written on the back patrolled the city of Wuppertal in early September, triggering outrage across Germany. Both politicians and leading Islamic associations have criticised their actions as "illegal parallel justice" and have warned of repercussions. By Stefan Dege
By Stefan Dege
Interfaith dialogue in Palestine

Reviving a heritage of peaceful co-existence

In the village of Kafr Kana in Galilee, Mayor Mujahid Awawida wants to set an example and take a symbolic stand against IS terrorism and religious intolerance: he intends to construct a new complex that will house a mosque, a church and a park. Khaled Hroub has the details
By Khaled Hroub
Muslims who saved Jews during World War II

The forgotten Schindlers

During the Second World War, Muslims like Si Kaddour Benghabrit and Abdul Hussain Sardari risked their lives to save many Jews from deportation. Sadly, however, their selfless actions have long been forgotten. By Emran Feroz
By Emran Feroz
Israeli-Palestinian relations

Dialogue in a time of conflict

Arab cities in Israel, such as Jaffa and Tira, illustrate that Jews and Arabs do live together as good neighbours. Since the Gaza War, however, positions have become more entrenched and mistrust has grown on both sides. Nevertheless, a number of NGOs insist on continuing with dialogue projects. Now more than ever. By Ulrike Schleicher
By Ulrike Schleicher
Interview with Maha El-Kaisy-Friemuth

"We urgently need reform within Islam"

What is the focus of a feminist Islamic theologian's work? And what is the best way to deal with controversial Koran verses in the modern day? Claudia Mende talked to Maha El-Kaisy-Friemuth, professor of Islamic Religious Studies at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
By Claudia Mende
The Trojan Horse scandal in the UK

Claims and counterclaims

Claims that Islamists were trying to Islamise secular state schools in Birmingham rocked the British education system to the core earlier this year. Extremist views in the classroom are a sensitive topic at a time when Britain is concerned about its citizens' reported involvement in jihadist activities in Syria and Iraq. Was there really an Islamist conspiracy? Was the whole thing blown out of proportion? And if so, what will be the consequences? Opinions differ. By Qurratulain Zaman
By Qurratulain Zaman
Book review: Emel Zeynelabidin's "You grow up only in this life"

The headscarf is not a gauge of devoutness

In her book "Erwachsen wird man nur im Diesseits" (You grow up only in this life), the Turkish-German author Emel Zeynelabidin reflects on the period of her life when she wore a headscarf and explains why she stopped doing so without abandoning her faith. By Annalena Junggeburth
By Annalena Junggeburth
Israeli–Palestinian dialogue in Germany

It is possible to work together

While bombs are being dropped and rockets fired back home, a group of young Israelis and Palestinians has come to Germany to talk to each other and to listen to the other side of the story. By Wolfgang Dick
By Wolfgang Dick
Moderates versus hardliners in Iran

New freedoms, old prohibitions

Just over a year ago, the cleric Hassan Rouhani was elected president of Iran. Since then, moderate Muslims and radical Islamists have been locked in a permanent clinch. By Bahman Nirumand
By Bahman Nirumand
Book review: Christoph Bangert's "War Porn"

We must not look away

The simple, unassuming cover of this book belies its explosive content: in his latest photobook, "War Porn", photojournalist Christoph Bangert shows the true, ugly face of conflict in all its horror. He presents the reader with an unfiltered selection of images from his photographic archive, documenting the brutality of war, predominantly in the Arab world. By Felix Koltermann
By Felix Koltermann
Anti-Muslim violence in Myanmar and Sri Lanka

Surge of radical Buddhism in South Asia

Nationalist Buddhist monks in Myanmar and Sri Lanka are playing a key role in instigating hatred and provoking violence towards the Muslim minorities in both countries, claiming that such action is necessary in order to protect Buddhist race and culture. By Roma Rajpal Weiß
By Roma Rajpal Weiss
Interview with the French Islam expert Gilles Kepel

Passion and suffering

For three decades now, the renowned French sociologist and political scientist Gilles Kepel has been monitoring the development of Muslim societies. He sees a close connection between the developments in the French suburbs and the events in the Arab world. Beat Stauffer spoke to him in Paris
By Beat Stauffer