Society

The fight against IS

No alternative to civil and human rights in the Arab world

In the battle against Islamic State, the religious leaders of Islam have failed; the onus is now on secular forces to fight the jihadi terrorists. To this end, the West must support the beleaguered rebels and civil society's campaign for civil and human rights in the Arab world. A commentary by Markus Bickel
By Markus Bickel
Salafists in Germany

A simple world view and the promise of paradise

Salafists in Germany have been on a recruitment drive for quite some time: handing out flyers and free copies of the Koran in city centres. They are also targeting young people at schools, on the Internet and anywhere where young people meet. How can young people be protected? By Arnfrid Schenk
By Arnfrid Schenk
Interview with Navid Kermani

"One should take the religious façade seriously"

The writer Navid Kermani spent a week in mid September travelling through Iraq, visiting a number of different parts of the country. In this interview with Kersten Knipp, he speaks of his impressions of the country and some factors that have led to the rise of IS in Iraq
By Kersten Knipp
"Peace is the Future" meeting in Antwerp

A world in flames

Representatives of the world's religions came together at the Community of Sant'Egidio's international peace meeting in Antwerp in September to discuss peace. Despite the sobering testimonials and the awareness of the horrors being committed around the world in the name of religion, there were clear signs of hope. To the surprise of many, the Grand Mufti of Egypt spoke out plainly against the barbarism of Islamist terrorist groups. By Daniel Deckers
By Daniel Deckers
On the death of the Egyptian activist Ahmed Seif al-Islam

An indomitable fighter and visionary

Ahmed Seif al-Islam was one of Egypt's most important human rights activists. He died in late August at the age of 63 following a heart operation. An obituary by Andrea Backhaus in Cairo
By Andrea Backhaus
Syrian refugees in Turkey

Time for Turkey's allies to rally round

Turkey has quietly taken in one-and-a-half million Syrian refugees, yet assistance from Europe has thus far been shamefully inadequate. According to Stefan Kornelius, both the EU and NATO are leaving an ally in the lurch
By Stefan Kornelius
Muslim boy and girl scouts in Germany

A commitment to peaceful coexistence

As part of an international youth movement, members of the Federation of Muslim Boy and Girl Scouts of Germany want to make their own specific contribution to peace and understanding. The organisation has existed since 2010. By Arnd Zickgraf
By Arnd Zickgraf
Debate about the role of Muslims in fighting Islamist terrorism

IS is not just a Muslim problem

Why do so many people in Germany assume that Muslims automatically sympathise more with the terrorists of IS than with those who are helping their victims? And why is so little notice being taken of the countless statements made by Muslim theologians and intellectuals who have distanced themselves from the terrorists' appalling acts? A commentary by Katajun Amirpur
By Katajun Amirpur
The Congress "Horizons of Islamic Theology"

A disintegration of Islam?

Academics from all over the world met to debate Islam at the congress "Horizons of Islamic Theology" in Frankfurt in early September. But the event was overshadowed by the acts of terror being perpetrated in the name of the faith by Islamic State and other extremist organisations. By Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
Contrasting images of Islam

The last gasp of archaic masculinity?

One in every two people in Germany believes that Islam is not part of German society. Until this attitude changes, the Islam we see in the evening news and not the actual reality of Islam in Germany will remain for many the genuine face of Islam. In this essay, Charlotte Wiedemann takes a closer look at Muslim women in Germany and shows how drastically they differ from the prevailing image of Islam in this country
By Charlotte Wiedemann
After the release of Egyptian blogger Alaa Abdel-Fattah

Freedom of expression at an all-time low

The well-known Egyptian blogger Alaa Abdel-Fattah has been released on bail. Is it a sign that the powers that be in Cairo are ready to allow increased freedom of expression? Egyptian filmmaker and activist Omar Hamilton says it's not. Interview by Sella Oneko
By Sella Oneko
Samaritans in Nablus

The other "People of Israel"

They hold dual citizenship and speak both Arabic and Hebrew fluently. The small Samaritan community in Nablus sees itself as the custodian of the "true religion of the Israelites". Its members support a two-state solution, yet deliberately distance themselves from the Middle East conflict. Laura Overmeyer paid them a visit
By Laura Overmeyer