Society

Social and Educational Services for Muslims in Germany

''We Want Participation, Not Integration''

While German politicians continue to argue whether Islam is part of Germany or not, German Muslims have for quite some time been making a contribution in many social spheres. But many institutions in Germany are still at the beginning of a process of intercultural opening. Claudia Mende reports
By Claudia Mende
Sexual Self-determination in Traditional Muslim Families

In the Firm Grip of Honour

For many conservative Muslim families adhering to traditional norms and values, marriage plays an important role. This can lead to conflicts, especially when individual freedom confronts community beliefs. In the case of sexual self-determination for Muslim men and women, this confrontation can be quite extreme. Jan Kuhlmann reports
By Jan Kuhlmann
On Tour in Afghanistan, Part 4

The Other Half of Society

Our author Marian Brehmer spent two weeks travelling through Afghanistan during the Persian calendar New Year. He spoke with people in Masar-i-Sharif and Kabul about things other than the war. What hopes do the people have for the coming year and how do they assess political developments in the country?
By Marian Brehmer
Germans in Egypt

Mirror to a Society in Flux

After Egypt's revolution, western foreigners have come under suspicion. But many Germans have been living in the country for years and have found their place in society. Their stories tell of how Egypt is changing. Birgit Svensson reports from Cairo
By Birgit Svensson
Christian Minorities in the Islamic World

No Arab Spring for Christians

Christianity first emerged in the Orient. But today, Christians living in the Islamic world are marginalised and threatened with persecution. A problematic issue addressed at a conference organised by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Berlin, Germany. Report by Bettina Marx
By Bettina Marx
Female Activists in Libya

Fighting against Regression

Women played a key role in the resistance movement against the Gaddafi regime. But a year after the demise of the dictatorship, they are still battling discrimination. A report by Mona Naggar
By Mona Naggar
Interview with Volker Jung

''We Promote Interfaith Skills''

Germany is changing. The reality of being an immigration society is gaining acceptance. The presence of millions of people with an immigrant background also poses a challenge for the Churches. Qantara.de spoke to Dr Volker Jung, the President of the Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau, about this change and how his Church is dealing with it
By Erhard Brunn
On Tour in Afghanistan, Part 3

A Walk through Kabul

Our author Marian Brehmer spent two weeks travelling through Afghanistan during the Persian calendar New Year. He spoke with people in Masar-i-Sharif and Kabul about things other than the war. What hopes do the people have for the coming year and how do they assess political developments in the country?
By Marian Brehmer
The ''New German Media Makers'' Initiative

Seeking Greater Diversity in German Media

The diversity of the immigrant community in Germany is conspicuously absent from the German media. Hardly a country in Europe has as few media professionals with migrant backgrounds as Germany. A new association of media professionals, is intent on changing this situation. Sophie Schabarum has been taking a closer look
By Sophie Schabarum
Attitudes to Sexuality among Muslim Students in Germany

Challenging homophobia

Homophobia is widespread in German schools, studies show. Religion and traditional values continue to play a role in young people's views of gender preference, while dialogue may improve the situation.
By Sabine Ripperger
Memoirs of Middle East Reporting

''Somebody had to go to Cairo''

The memoirs of former Middle East correspondent Ulrich Kienzle document how the spirit of optimism in the German media of the late 1960s and 1970s hooked up with the quixotic political idealism of the time. A review by Andreas Pflitsch
By Andreas Pflitsch
On Tour in Afghanistan, Part 2

The Fateful Mast

Around the turn of the Persian calendar year, our author Marian Brehmer set off for a two-week trip through Afghanistan. In Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul he spoke with people outside the war zones. What are their hopes for the new year, and how do they view the recent developments in their country?
By Marian Brehmer