Society

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
Clandestine Migration from Tunisia

Flight of the Hopeless

In view of Tunisia's persistent economic crisis and high jobless rate, also in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution, many young Tunisians are tempted to turn their backs on their homeland and seek their fortunes in Europe. This gives greater weight to projects aimed at improving prospects for the younger generation and persuading them to abandon plans to cross the Mediterranean. By Beat Stauffer
By Beat Stauffer
Islamic Auction Website Selisha.de

A Kind of eBay for Muslims

From trendy headscarves to prayer rugs with integral compasses, Selisha.de has everything the devout Muslim could possibly wish for. It is the very first Islamic auction website in the world. Aygül Cizmecioglu has the details
By Aygül Cizmecioglu
Migration as a Topic in German Museums

From the Periphery to the Center

With a surfeit of history on their hands, many German museums are only now discovering migration as a theme. It's a step in the right direction, says Austrian historian Regina Wonisch, but isn't enough. An interview by Klaudia Prevezanos
By Klaudia Prevezanos
Jewish Life in North Africa

Facing a Precarious Future

The once-large Jewish communities in Tunisia and Egypt have almost disappeared. Those who remain are treated with mistrust and suspicion by society. The Arab Spring has made their situation even more difficult. Andreas Gorzewski reports
By Andreas Gorzewski
Egyptian Students and the Arab Spring

''We All Yearned for Democracy''

Activists involved in the "January 25 Revolution" against the Mubarak regime included many students who took to the streets demanding freedom and social justice. But what is left of that revolutionary spirit now? Fabian Schmidmeier went to Cairo's Ain Shams University to find out
By Fabian Schmidmeier
Massive Conflicts within Syrian Churches

Confessional In-Fighting

Well-known Syrian dissidents criticise the impact of the huge influence exerted on religious groups by the Assad regime. Syrian journalist Michel Kilo warns against a "bunker mentality" within faith communities and a new "confessional racism". Claudia Mende reports
By Claudia Mende
The 'Mapping Democracy' Project

Global Dialogue in Real Time

To explore innovative forms of democratic dialogue – that's the idea behind the project "Mapping Democracy", which saw experts and audiences taking part in a simultaneous debate in Cairo, Madrid and Munich. Claudia Mende reports
By Claudia Mende
Israel's Social Media and the Gaza Crisis

Truths Come Through

In light of the war of information raging throughout the current Gaza conflict, the Israeli writer Assaf Gavron highlights the important role that social media plays in his country, providing a voice for authentic and independent viewpoints beyond any control or influence by the state
By Assaf Gavron