Society

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
Women in Palestinian Job Market

Wasted Talent

The Arab world is undoubtedly a patriarchal society, with labour markets that continue to be male-dominated. Although Palestinian women are better educated than men, their job opportunities are poorer. The greatest obstacles women face in working life are cultural ones. By Viola Raheb
By Viola Raheb
''The House of Wisdom'' by Jim Al-Khalili

The golden age of learning in the Arab-speaking world

Arabic-speaking researchers have made major contributions to science. In his book The House of Wisdom, physicist Jim Al-Khalili examines the extent of their influence on the Western World. Anne Allmeling sends us this review
9/11 and the Arab Spring

The End of the ''Antithesis''

Ten years after 9/11, the idea that Islam is fundamentally opposed to Western democratic values has had its day. In fact, the Arab Spring reveals both Muslims and the image of the West from a different perspective.
By Geert J. Somsen
A Plea for a Euro–Mediterranean Youth Exchange Programme

An End to Age-old Animosities

The borders between the countries to the north and the south of the Mediterranean are almost impenetrable for young people. Yet dialogue and the breaking down of anti-Muslim attitudes can only take place within the framework of personal exchange. The year 2013 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the Franco–German Youth Office (DFJW) and would be an appropriate time to establish a similar exchange programme for Euro-Mediterranean youth, say Sonja Hegasy and Nicolas Moll
By Sonja Hegasy, Nicolas Moll
Religion in the Arab Spring

The Martyrs of the Revolution

When they attempt to grasp the role of religion in the Arab uprisings, non-Muslim observers often fail because of their tendency to see things in black and white: if religion does not show itself to be a protagonist, then the movement must be secular. In actual fact, the mingling of religious and political motives is much more subtle than that. Charlotte Wiedemann reports
By Charlotte Wiedemann
Teaching Islam in German Schools

Religion Must Not Be Regarded as an Integration Problem

If it wants to be authentic and relevant to practice, religious education along denominational lines should not become an instrument of integration and should take the expectations of Muslims seriously. Nimet Seker takes a stand
By Nimet Seker
The Tradition of Ramadan

Which Image of God Determines the Ritual Behaviour?

The Islamic month of fasting began last Monday – in Europe too, where the majority society still knows far too little about the holy practice, which is a religious duty of all Muslims and one of the "five pillars of Islam". Emel Zeynelabidin says that for this reason, posing questions that are free of fear and born of interest is now a matter of great urgency
By Emel Zeynelabidin