Society

Interview with Nilüfer Göle

Shifting Identities and the Stakes of Turkish Democracy

Turkey faces tough decisions at home and abroad, from how to handle heterogeneous identities as they become visible in the public sphere to the role it will play as a model for emerging Middle Eastern democracies. Juliana DeVries interviews the prominent Turkish sociologist Nilüfer Göle
By Juliana DeVries
German Intellectuals and Islam

Capitulation or Scaremongering?

When it comes to Islam, the German media appear to alternate between waves of criticism and waves of support. Society is deeply divided in its perception of this "immigrant religion", though mutual knowledge and understanding is gradually increasing, Gregor Taxacher says
By Gregor Taxacher
First Centre for Islamic Theology

Opening a New Chapter for Islam in Germany

The University of Tübingen is starting a course leading to a bachelor's degree to train imams and teachers of Islam. Until now, only a small proportion of those teaching Islam in Germany have had any training. Sabine Ripperger reports
By Sabine Ripperger
Nine Months After the Upheaval in the Arab World

Is the Revolution Devouring Its Children?

The Arab World is no longer what it used to be. Nor are the rebellions; in many places the initial revolutionary euphoria is giving way to concerns about the future. Stephanie Doetzer sketches a picture of the mood in recent months
By Stephanie Doetzer
Noorjahan Akbar on Women's Rights in Afghanistan

''Women Are Nobodies''

The West has spoke out for women's rights in Afghanistan. Now, it can't simply pull out of the country, says Noorjahan Akbar, the Afghan human rights activist and co-founder of the independent women's organization "Young Women for Change" in an interview with Martin Gerner
By Martin Gerner
Karim El-Gawhary's ''Diary of the Arab Revolution''

Portraits of the Common Man in the Time of Upheaval

The "Diary of the Arab Revolution" by the German-Egyptian writer and journalist Karim El-Gawhary is an impressive testimony to the "Arabellion." A review by Martina Sabra
By Martina Sabra
Naqshbandi Sufis in North America

Going Back to Divine Presence

Naqshbandi is one of the most important spiritual orders of Sufi Islam. In Michigan, believers from different ethnic and religious backgrounds practice their spiritual version of Islam. By Mary Fowles
Meeting of Religious Scholars in Germany

Old Wounds, New Questions

Under the banner "Bound to live together", an international peace congress promoting dialogue and reconciliation was held in Munich with representatives from all major religions. Yet, issues such as the Middle East conflict, the Arab Spring, and the role of Islam in Europe pose new challenges for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. By Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
Islam in the US

The Trials of Being Muslim and American

Although individually many Muslims living in the United States consider themselves well integrated, the events of September 11 seriously damaged their collective image. Christina Bergmann reports
Koranic Research

The Reader Maketh the Book

According to Angelika Neuwirth, in view of the fact that the European and Islamic traditions have different understandings of the Koran, it is the job of Arabists to translate between the cultures
By Angelika Neuwirth
The Image of the West in the Arab Media

The Perception of the Other

Lebanese media expert Maurice Abu Nader summarises the results of the latest report by the "Arab Thought Foundation" on inter-cultural dialogue – a report that undertakes a detailed examination of the perception of the West as portrayed by the newspapers "Al-Hayat" and "Al-Ahram"
By Maurice Abu Nader
Islamophobia and Islam in Britain

The Battle for the Diversity of Tower Hamlets

Historically, the borough of Tower Hamlets is a multicultural part of Britain's capital. Today, it is home to over 70,000 Muslims. But some critics say the place has become a hothouse for Islamic extremism. Joseph Burke takes a look into a multi-faceted conflict
By Joseph Burke