Society

Oriental Christians in Germany

Providing a Diplomatic Bridge

A new central council of oriental Christians has been formed in Germany to raise public awareness of the problems Arab Christians are facing in conflict-ridden countries like Syria, Egypt and Iraq. Günther Birkenstock reports
By Günther Birkenstock
The Democratic Process in Egypt

The Success of Democracy is Not a Question of Education

Although she recognises the dangers inherent in an uneducated society, Egyptian author Mansoura Ez-Eldin disputes the political belief that it takes a learned population to create a democracy. The problem is more a fundamental lack of political education and a poor understanding of democratic principles at all levels
By Mansoura Ez-Eldin
Mona El-Naggar on Her Film "Istislam"

Close-Up on the Muslim Brotherhood's Grassroots Work

Mona El-Naggar's documentary "Submission" offers an astonishingly close look at how the long-time secret organization conveys its ideology at the grassroots level and among Egypt's youth in particular. An interview with the film's director, Mona El-Naggar, by Martina Sabra
By Martina Sabra
Turkey

Growing Popularity of Islamic Banks

Can religious faith, God and money ever be brought into a harmonious co-existence? Yes, they can, say the acolytes of Islamic banking. Islamic banks are becoming ever more popular in Turkey, even if not everyone is particularly enthusiastic about the development.
By Senada Sokollu
Open Letter to a Border Guard

Defending Our Borders against the Scum

In Germany, helpers of Syrian refugees are being put on trial. These lifesavers are being treated like enemies of the state. In his polemic, Stefan Buchen addresses a German border guard and encourages him to prevent the misery of the Syrian civil war from spilling over into Europe
By Stefan Buchen
Essay by Adania Shibli

Recalling Edward Said's Thought Today

The influential theorist and public intellectual Edward W. Said produced a body of work that, right up to the present, resonates worldwide in a variety of fields. Ten years after his death, Adania Shibli takes a look at his legacy, and what it means to us today
By Adania Shibli
Genital mutilation in Egypt

Control over female sexuality

Egypt is the only country in North Africa where the practice of female genital mutilation remains widespread – despite an official ban and many public information campaigns for women. Anna Kölling reports from Cairo
By Anna Kölling
Street Children in Marrakech

The Oasis of Sésame Garden

Some 10 million tourists visit the Kingdom of Morocco every year. But very little of the income they generate trickles down to the socially disadvantaged. In Marrakech, a lone restaurateur is making a real difference to the lives of street children. A report Astrid Kaminski
By Astrid Kaminski
Christians in Tunisia

Cause for Concern

Pressure on Tunisian Christians in Tunisia has grown since the nation's Jasmine Revolution. Observations from Katharina Pfannkuch in Tunis
By Katharina Pfannkuch
Two New Books on the Gülen Movement

Happy Altruists Everywhere

The American sociologist of religion Helen Rose Ebaugh and the German journalist Jochen Thies wanted to take a closer look at the Gülen movement and the educational activities of its adherents. Both books, however, lack the necessary critical distance says Jan Kuhlmann
By Jan Kuhlmann
Syrian Boat Refugees in Egypt

"Head Straight on to Europe!"

Many Syrian refugees are trying to reach Europe from Egypt via the Mediterranean. They are risking their lives to escape the civil war in their homeland. A reportage by Karim El-Gawhary in Abukir, Egypt
By Karim El-Gawhary
Interview with Lina Attalah

"The Media Are PR Machines of the Military"

After being dismissed from the newspaper Egypt Independent, editor-in-chief Lina Attalah founded the alternative news website Mada Masr. Egyptian media are in "a very precarious condition", she says – and calls for a new kind of critical journalism. Interview by Jannis Hagmann
By Jannis Hagmann