Society

Iranian Journalists under Pressure

Arrest or Exile

In the run-up to the Iranian parliamentary elections, the regime in Tehran is showing signs of nervousness. More journalists are being arrested as the repression of civil society continues. Marcus Michaelsen reports
By Marcus Michaelsen
Germany's Fifth Integration Summit

Step-By-Step Policy

The German federal government has organized regular summit meetings to discuss integration since 2006. Migration experts, however, say that the decisions taken are often only half-heartedly implemented. By Bettina Louise Haase
By Bettina Louise Haase
Stefan Weidner's Book on Islam and the West

The End of Imperialism

With his new book, Stefan Weidner would like to straighten out our simplified, cliché-ridden perception of Islam by looking at phenomena such as Sharia from an unusual perspective. Albrecht Metzger read the book
By Albrecht Metzger
Mansoura Ez Eldin on Women's Rights in Egypt

Between Hammer and Anvil

In her essay, the well-known Egyptian writer Mansoura Ez Eldin sketches a gloomy picture of post-revolutionary social conditions in her homeland, where she says women are facing increasing political marginalisation and being robbed of their basic rights
By Mansoura Ez-Eldin
The University of Tripoli

The Desolate Wasteland of Gaddafi's Education System

During the Gaddafi era, university courses in Libya were ideologically tainted, and students could pass exams by showing themselves to be particularly patriotic or simply by having good connections. But a new day has dawned, and all of this is set to change. Alfred Hackensberger reports from Tripoli
By Alfred Hackensberger
Journalism in Afghanistan

Warlord TV

Journalism in Afghanistan has been reborn, rising from the ashes of the Taliban regime. The country currently boasts 150 radio stations and 30 television channels. But how free is its journalism? And how much independence do the journalists have? By Marian Brehmer
By Marian Brehmer
The Islamic "Culture of Ambiguity"

Plurality as a Matter of Course

How does a wine goblet find its way into an Islamic art collection? In "The Culture of Ambiguity", Thomas Bauer describes the wide boundaries of Muslim culture and asserts that in the West cultural goods are often considered to be "Islamic" when they're actually not
By Katajun Amirpur
Christmas in Pakistan

In harmony with the Muslim community

Just like all Christians in Islamabad, 45-year-old Akram and his family celebrate "the night of the new moon" also known as "chand raat", every year on 24 December. Nusrat Sheikh joined him
By Nusrat Sheikh
Interview with Irshad Manji

''I Consider it Wrong to Say that Muslims are Incapable of Reform''

The liberal feminist Muslim and bestselling author Irshad Manji calls for a reconciliation between faith and freedom. Christoph Dreyer spoke with her about civil courage, the dangers of moderation and her new book Allah, Liberty and Love
By Christoph Dreyer
2011 in the Arab World

''Change We Can Believe In''

At the end of a year of epochal and largely unforeseen change in the Arab World, Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan gives his personal view of what the region now needs to ensure that this change is both sustainable and meaningful
By Prince El Hassan bin Talal
The Jordan River Peace Park Project

Peace through Environmental Protection

The environmental organization Friends of the Earth Middle East is planning to set up a peace park on the banks of the River Jordan in the hope of fostering environmental protection and economic development in the region. Claudia Mende reports
By Claudia Mende
The EU and Migration

Migration as an Opportunity, Not a Threat

Migration researcher Klaus Bade believes that EU economic policy is fostering migration flows. Jan-Philipp Scholz spoke to him about migration and its causes