Society
Topics
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Women in Saudi Arabia
Caught in a System of Gender Apartheid
No professional or vocational training, no visits to the doctor, no lawsuits without male approval. The Yemeni-Swiss political scientist Elham Manea describes the plight of women in Saudi Arabia
By Elham Manea -
Gardens in Islam
A Metaphor for Heavenly Paradise
Given the often extreme living conditions in the arid areas of the Islamic Orient, it comes as no surprise that oases and irrigated gardens have a very special status in the Muslim religion, the statements of the Prophet, and the holy scriptures. An essay by Eckhart Ehlers
By Eckhart Ehlers -
What Muslims and Christians Share
A Christmas Meditation
Scholars are only now beginning to realise the extent to which the Mughal emperors adopted what most would assume to be outrightly Christian devotions. An essay by William Dalrymple
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A German-Turkish Love Story
Müzeyyen Adores Christmas
When they founded their Christian-Muslim family, the Dreessens had no reference points. But they encountered plenty of resistance from relatives. At home, there was more heated discussion over how to bring up the children than on the subject of faith. These days, things are much more relaxed. By Hedwig Gafga
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"Women's Power in Arabic"
Long-overdue Confrontations
In his new book, the journalist Karim El-Gawhary gives a voice and a face to strong Arab women, while moving beyond the clichés and headscarf debates. Martina Sabra describes the book as multifaceted, revealing, entertaining, emotionally moving, and definitely worth reading
By Martina Sabra -
Syrian Refugees in Jordan
Bleak Prospects
Syrian refugees in Jordan live under dire conditions, Amnesty International reports. The situation is particularly difficult for young girls, according to Amnesty International's Mideast consultant Ruth Jüttner. An interview by Kersten Knipp
By Kersten Knipp -
Germany's New Minister for Migration
Aydan Özoguz, a Turkish-German at the Top
The SPD's Aydan Özoguz is the first politician of Turkish origin to hold a top post in Germany. As integration minister, she gives a voice to the country's many migrants - but she has not been without controversy. By Michael Hartlep
By Michael Hartlep -
Human Rights Activist Razan Zeitouneh Kidnapped
Syria's Fearless Dissident
For some two decades, the lawyer, recipient of the Sakharov Prize, and head of the Centre for Documentation of Violations in Syria has tirelessly fought against the Assad dictatorship. Together with three other activists, she has recently been kidnapped in Syria. Details by Albert Kadir
By Albert Kadir -
Libya
Removing Gaddafi from Schoolbooks
History should be a source of inspiration for people to build their future. For this purpose, you need history books based on accuracy and objectivity, so pupils at schools learn about their country's past without distortion. In the case of Libya, this is proving to be difficult. By Reda Fhelboom
By Reda Fhelboom -
Higher Education in Afghanistan
Education for Progress in Afghanistan
The Afghan higher education system has undergone considerable improvement since the end of the Taliban regime in 2001. German scholarships aim to promote and continue this development. Background information from Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi
By Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi -
Interview with Angelika Neuwirth
"The claim that Islam lacks an Enlightenment is an age-old cliche"
In this interview with Anna Alvi and Alia Hübsch, Prof. Angelika Neuwirth says that the claim that Islam lacks an Enlightenment is an age old cliché, and that it is pride in the Enlightenment that continues to lead people to believe that Western Culture is superior to Islam
By Anna Alvi und Alia Hübsch -
Interview with the Migration Expert Rita Süssmuth
Learning to Deal with Diversity
If Europe's immigration policy is not changed in the coming years, the continent's population will start to shrink dramatically in 2025. Annika Zeitler spoke to the German migration expert and former President of the Bundestag, Rita Süssmuth
By Annika Zeitler
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Turkish graduates in Europe
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Cannabis and Islam?
There is no one single answer
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Iraqi women filmmakers
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Turkey
"Red Buds" – a TV series divides the country
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Professor Nasser Kanani on the Persian poet Hafez
"The joyful audacity of his spirit, the melody of his poetry"
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Syrian women in Assadʹs prisons
No end to Bashar's crimes against humanity