Society

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
The German Interior Ministry's Controversial Poster Campaign

Encouraging Prejudice and Paranoia

Sometimes good intentions are just not enough: a new campaign by the German interior ministry, says Robert Misik, only contributes to the widespread paranoia about "the Muslims" – and thus encourages the very radicalism it wants to fight
By Robert Misik
Eugene Rogan on Arab History and the Arab Spring

''The Subordination of the Arab World May Be Ending''

Eugene Rogan's "The Arabs" has been hailed as a standard work on the history of the Arab people. In this interview with Jan Kuhlmann, the Oxford historian talks about foreign domination of the Arab world, the Arab spring, and his optimism for the Arab world
By Jan Kuhlmann
Debate on Muslim Identity in the West

Constructing the Self, Constructing the Other

In her essay US-Turkish philosopher Şeyla Benhabib criticises the current lack of any serious multicultural dialogue between the civilisations. Instead, European and US intellectuals continue to focus on "Islamo-fascism", thereby blocking any constructive debate on Islam and migration in the West
By Şeyla Benhabib
Maria TV in Egypt

Fully Veiled and on Air

Maria TV in Egypt has been on air for a month. Women completely covered in veils go on camera to deliver tips on topics like marriage and beauty. The success of the ultra-conservative broadcaster suggests a turn in Egyptian society
By Viktoria Kleber
The Fate of the Afro-Turks

Nothing Left But the Colour

The Afro-Turks, whose ancestors came to the Ottoman Empire as slaves in the nineteenth century, are still struggling for recognition. Now, though, their desire to assimilate into the wider society has become greater than their desire to maintain their own identity. By Ekrem Eddy Güzeldere
By Ekrem Eddy Güzeldere
Textbook on Islam for German Schools

Conflicts between Tradition and Modernity

The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia is introducing a schoolbook that introduces pupils to Islam. But is the teacher in it going to wear a headscarf or not, and is correct to use the Arabic term "Allah" for God? Ulrike Hummel reports
By Ulrike Hummel
Controversy Surrounding the Al-Zaytuna Mosque in Tunis

The Ambivalent Revival of Islamic Traditions

Among the signs of a gradual cultural turnaround in the countries of the Arab Spring is the conflict that has been simmering for several months regarding the revival of the old Islamic school at the Al-Zaytuna Mosque in Tunis. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
The Iranian-Israeli Circle

''We Should Hate Each Other''

Israeli and Iranian students in Berlin have forged an anti-war alliance to express their opposition to war, sanctions and occupation. They regard the nuclear conflict between their two countries as an artificially created issue that serves to keep both governments in power. By Marian Brehmer
By Marian Brehmer