Society

Interview with Father Paolo Dall'Oglio on Syria

Hoping for a Victory without Revenge

Paolo Dall'Oglio has lived in Syria for over 30 years. Founder of the Deir Mar Musa monastic community north of Damascus, he has always been committed to interreligious dialogue with the Muslim world. Last June, he was banished by the regime. Father Paolo Dall'Oglio talks to Antonella Vicini
10th Anniversary of the Death of Annemarie Schimmel

Searching for the Inner Life of Islam

As one of the most eminent western scholars of Islam, Annemarie Schimmel is still held in high esteem in the Islamic world. But despite being a kind of a mystic herself, the German got entangled in the fraught relations between East and West. Ten years after her death, Stefan Wild takes stock of her life and work
By Stefan Wild
Interview with Doug Saunders

''Muslim infiltration is a myth''

In his book "The Myth of the Muslim Tide", Doug Saunders puts theories from critics of immigration under the microscope. He talked to Aygül Cizmecioglu about extremism, xenophobia and successful integration
By Aygül Cizmecioglu
Right-wing Extremism and Islamophobia in Germany

Sending out a Political Signal

In this essay, Aiman Mazyek, chairman of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany, warns against the trivialisation of anti-Islamic tendencies and right-wing extremist violence, both of which are increasingly posing a threat to social peace in Germany
By Aiman Mazyek
John R. Bowen's ''Blaming Islam''

Deconstructing Populism

John R. Bowen, anthropologist at Washington University in St. Louis, is fed up with the myths, misinformation and cheap populism surrounding the issue of Islam and Muslims in the West. In his book, he debunks the falsehoods that have crept into the everyday political discourse about the religion and its adherents. A review by Paul Hockenos
By Paul Hockenos
Camps for Syrian Refugees in Zaatari and Atma

Cut off from the Rest of the World

Refugee camps are other-worlds where a tent becomes a home, a field of mud is a playground and where thousands of displaced Syrians are trying to adapt to a new, grim reality. Karen Leigh went to see for herself
By Karen Leigh
Interview with Muslim Scholar Ziauddin Sardar

''Muslims Yearn for Real Debate''

Ziauddin Sardar is a leading British-Pakistani Muslim scholar and critic. In this interview with Susannah Tarbush, he talks about the magazine "Critical Muslim" he founded and which he sees as an "intellectual, cultural, philosophical and creative backup" for the revolutions of the Middle East
By Susannah Tarbush
Learning German in Erbil

More than Mere Symbolism

The opening of the first German language department in the Kurdish-speaking world is a landmark event in the cultural relations between Germany and Iraqi Kurdistan – and one which demonstrates the esteem in which Germany is held in this country. Albrecht Metzger reports
Alexander Flores's ''Civilization or Barbarism?''

Islam in the Historical Context

In his book, Alexander Flores confidently clears the decks of received wisdom on the Muslim faith. Flores limits his monograph to essential information and in doing so, avoids both apology and polemical discourse in equal measure. By Stefan Weidner
By Stefan Weidner
The decline of Islamic scientific thought

Don't blame it on al-Ghazali

Academics are correct in pinpointing the exact period in which Muslims began turning away from scientific innovation – the 11th century – but in Abu Hamid Al Ghazali they have identified the wrong person. By Hassan Hassan
By Hassan Hassan
Interview with Abdelwahab Meddeb

''The Islamists Are Not Ready for a Democratic Culture''

The Tunisian-French author Abdelwahab Meddeb is a critical observer of political developments in Tunisia and Egypt. In this interview with Ceyda Nurtsch, he explains why the Islamists are not creating a liberal culture of discussion and why he is sceptical about the concept of an Islamic democracy
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Indonesia as a Model of Muslim Democracy

Developments, Problems, and Opportunities

In the wake of Islamic resurgence and the growing democratic movements in North Africa and the Middle East, it is relevant to see Indonesia as a model of Muslim democracy. The country has shown a stable democratic government, civil liberties, and tremendous economic growth. By Luthfi Assyaukanie
By Luthfi Assyaukanie