Society

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
The ''Community House'' in Jakarta

Education Gives Hope to Indonesian Slum Kids

Around one fourth of Jakarta's 18 million residents live in slums - among them, 1.5 million children. A European project is helping them climb out of poverty through education. By Thomas Latschan
By Thomas Latschan
Indonesia's Muhammadiyah Movement

Moderation as Weakness

The Indonesian Muhammadiyah movement was founded one hundred years ago as a reformist socio-religious movement. But its initially moderate interpretation of Islam has been marginalised by hardliners over the past few years. By Bettina David
By Bettina David
Reformist Theologians in Iran

The Search for Montazeri's Heirs

Three years since the death of the Shiite dissident, Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, there is still no one in Iran who can assume his role as the spiritual authority of the reform movement. Many critical clerics have been silenced since the crushing of protests in 2009. Yet, there is increasing support for efforts to reform Islamic law in the country. By Urs Sartowicz
By Urs Sartowicz
Business Innovation in Lebanon

The Other Spring

Fifteen years of civil war. Another twenty-two years of bombs, Israeli aggression and domestic discord. Now the conflict in Syria threatens to ignite the neighbouring country's flames once again. Yet more and more young Lebanese are fighting for their country – in the business arena
By Mona Sarkis
The Role of Sharia in the Egyptian Constitution

Battle for Interpretational Jurisdiction

The controversial referendum on the constitution is not only decisive for the political positioning of the Egyptian state. It also concerns the future status of the Sharia code within the nation's legal system. Analysis by Niklas Hünseler
By Niklas Hünseler
Ansar Dine's religious leader Chérif Ousmane Haidara

''This is not Sharia, but banditry''

Ansar Dine is the name of a popular Sufi movement in Mali that has two million members. Charlotte Wiedemann spoke with its religious leader, Chérif Ousmane Haidara, about a stolen name, his anger with the Islamists and on a new alliance against Wahhabism
By Charlotte Wiedemann