Society

The Turkish Publisher Ragıp Zarakolu

The Power of the Word

For almost 40 years now the Turkish publisher, author and human rights activist Ragıp Zarakolu has been a thorn in the side of the Turkish state. He has been jailed several times and there are numerous indictments against him going through the courts. But Zarakolu has never lost his faith in the power of the word. Profile by Ceyda Nurtsch
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Mouhanad Khorchide's Reformist Theology

De-politicizing the Koran

Mouhanad Khorchide aims to reconcile Islam with the modern world. His aim is to liberate the Koran from all outward trappings and return to the religion's spiritual core Claudia Mende introduces the man and his work
By Claudia Mende
Living out of Wedlock in Iran

A Quiet Social Revolution

More and more couples in Iran are living together despite the fact that they are not married - in the face of law and tradition. Conservative Islamic groups are trying to push the government to reverse this trend. By Yalda Zarbakhch
By Yalda Zarbakhch
Israelis and Palestinians

Making Acquaintances in Germany

Back home, they only know about each other from checkpoints and through the media. At the University of Düsseldorf in Germany, students from the Middle East can talk to each other in person about culture, politics, and peace. Antje Hollunder reports
Women in Afghanistan

In Prison for Being Raped

The NATO mandate in Afghanistan is drawing to a close. But the western forces will leave unfinished business behind when they pull out in 2014. Many promises were made to Afghan people a decade ago, and many remain unfulfilled – for instance, in regard to women's rights. By Sheila Mysorekar
Islamic Religion Classes in German schools

Who Decides?

After years of discussion and debate, the first German states are now introducing Islamic religion classes in public schools. However, because there are many different branches of Islam and no central authority to offer guidance, the question as to who should be allowed to decide on teachers and lesson content is leading to serious conflict. By Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
Interview with Hossein Mousavian

''Iran Will Not Negotiate under Threat''

Seyed Hossein Mousavian, spokesman for the former nuclear negotiator Hassan Rowhani and once the Iranian ambassador to Germany, sees a realistic chance for a resolution of the nuclear crisis despite the escalation of the conflict. Direct talks with the USA are both possible and necessary, says the former diplomat. An interview by Silke Mertins
By Silke Mertins
A Backlash of Patriarchy in Egypt

Hope for a Proper Revolution

The targeting of women in the Egyptian revolution – to make them know "their place" – was among the first shots fired by the counter-revolution. Yet they fight on. A viewpoint by Margot Badran
By Margot Badran
Syriac Orthodox Christians in Turkey

''This Is Simply Our Home''

In recent years, around 60-100 Syriac Orthodox families have returned from central Europe to Turkey. Encouraged by changes in the political atmosphere, the minority nonetheless faces a host of problems, from the expropriation of land belonging to a monastery, to a ban on special schools and kindergartens, and also a lack of places of worship in Istanbul. By Ekrem Eddy Güzeldere
By Ekrem Eddy Güzeldere
Islamic Archaeology in Israel

A Sea-change in Attitudes

A group of Israeli historians and archaeologists is calling for a radical rethink in the way the region's past is viewed. They want a stronger focus on Palestine's Islamic eras, which have in the past been neglected in favour of its Jewish history. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Interview with Amina Wadud

''Islam Belongs to All Its Believers''

Amina Wadud is an American scholar of Islam with a progressive focus on Koran exegesis. In 2005, she led Friday prayers in the US, which not only broke with tradition, it also triggered debate and Muslim juristic discourse on the issue of female imams. Interview by Abderrahmane Ammar
By Abderrahmane Ammar
Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

The Heavy Burden of the Open Borders Policy

The crisis of the Syrian refugees is growing day by day in neighbouring Lebanon. State institutions are neither able nor willing to deal with the situation. Bjorn Zimprich talked to Guita Hourani, Director of the Lebanese Emigration and Research Center, about the plight of the refugees and the social problems the refugee crisis is creating for Lebanon
By Björn Zimprich