Society

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
Interview with Naika Foroutan

''Young Muslims wish to play their part in shaping Germany''

A new study is shedding light on the worlds in which young Muslims in Germany live. Britta Mersch talked to Naika Foroutan from the Institute of Social Sciences at Berlin's Humboldt University about its findings
By Britta Mersch
Book Review: Volker Perthes on the Arab Spring

The Rebellion of the Young

Volker Perthes is director of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin. In his new book, Der Aufstand (The Uprising), he looks at the Arab uprisings and considers what they could mean for German and European policy and for the Middle East as a whole. Claudia Mende read the book for Qantara.de
By Claudia Mende
Muslim and Arab Women at the Olympics

Gold Medal or Headscarf?

With the world celebrating the arrival of two headscarf-wearing athletes at the Olympics, does their participation mark another step along the road towards emancipation? In actual fact, Muslim athletes have been successful at the Olympics for decades. The Games are degrading Arab female athletes by portraying them as something exotic, writes Manfred Sing in his essay
By Manfred Sing
The Destiny of the Syrian Refugees

''The Floodgates of Humanity Must Be Opened Immediately''

Christian Springer is a popular German author who is best known for his social and political satire. He is also the founder of the aid organization Orienthelfer (Orient helpers), which has been helping Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon since the start of the uprising against the Assad regime. Samira Sammer spoke to him about the refugees' humanitarian predicament
By Samira Sammer