Society

Mohammed Caricatures in "Charlie Hebdo"

Provocation as a Marketing Strategy

The publication of Mohammed caricatures in the French satirical newspaper "Charlie Hebdo" has created quite a stir. In recent times, the newspaper has deliberately and frequently attempted to pick fights with devout Muslims. Bernhard Schmid with a portrait of Charlie Hebdo from Paris
By Bernhard Schmid
Interview with Pınar Selek

''The Old Mindset Is Still in Place in Turkey''

Turkish sociologist and human rights activist Pınar Selek discusses her role in the democracy movement, ongoing legal proceedings against her, and the shortcomings of Turkey's political system. An interview by Ceyda Nurtsch
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Women in Kazakhstan

Progress in the Face of Patriarchy and Islam

Although women have always played a central role in Kazakh society, they have only recently started to move more into traditionally male-dominated areas. Nevertheless, Kazakhstan is still a man's country. In some regions, the rise of Islam is even placing new restrictions on women. Marina Khegay reports
Christians in Lebanon

Caught between the Frontlines

The Pope visited Lebanon at a precarious time. The destabilisation of Syria may have given Christians more room to manoeuvre, but they are also being dragged into the conflict between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. Mona Naggar reports from Beirut
By Mona Naggar
Cairo's Shanty District of Ramlet Bulak

Slumdogs vs. Billionaire

Egypt's richest man, Naguib Sawiris, has cast his eye upon the Cairo slum district of Ramlet Bulak. The police want to vacate the area and are terrorizing its inhabitants. Yet, residents refuse to give up the fight. A report by Markus Symank
By Markus Symank
Gay Rights in Malaysia

Creating Change in the Mosque

Malaysia's government has gained a reputation for running a policy of intolerance towards the gay and lesbian community in the country. But a younger generation of Muslims is starting to change perspectives, using their faith, as Joseph Mayton reports
Persecuted Emos in Iraq

No Place for Emotions

Since Shiite militia began hunting down followers of the 'Emo' youth movement and according to various sources have already killed 90 of them, they have vanished from the Iraqi capital. Details from Birgit Svensson in Baghdad
By Birgit Svensson
Christians and Muslims in Nigeria

Kano Struggles against Hate

Following the bloody terrorist attack in January, a fragile state of normality now reigns in the Nigerian metropolis of Kano. Local Christians and Muslims have turned to dialogue in order to prevent renewed outbreaks of violence in their city. Thomas Mösch reports
By Thomas Mösch
Persecution of Shiites in Indonesia

Hate Preachers and Incitement to Violence

Following a massacre of Shiites in Eastern Java, the Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has called on the government and the police to provide special protection for the Shiite minority. But many Shiite Muslims remain frightened and insecure. By Andy Budiman
By Andy Budiman
Censorship and Islam in Malaysia

No Room for Dissent

In Malaysia, it's not only those working in the media who are finding themselves increasingly under censorship scrutiny. In a recent development, the censors are even targeting those who purchase what has been labelled "forbidden literature" – the latest work by the liberal Islamic feminist Irshad Manji, for example, as Joseph Mayton explains
By Joseph Mayton
Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid on American Islam

Islamophobia as an Integral Part of the Political Platform

The general mood in the United States has grown increasingly intolerant towards Muslims. Charlotte Wiedemann was in New York and spoke with Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid, Afro-American and President of the Islamic Leadership Council, on the mood in this election year and about his criticism of some Muslims for what he sees as opportunism
By Charlotte Wiedemann
Migrants in Europe

Transnational Networking

Many migrants in Europe support their countries of origin. Migrants' organisations can boost such support by lobbying government bodies and engaging civil society. But the countries of origin have a role to play too. By Rahim Hajji and Soraya Moket
By Soraya Moket