Society

On Tour in Afghanistan, Part 1

On the Highway from Kabul to Mazar-i-Sharif

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?
Muslims in Germany

''Integration in Germany Is Making Progress''

You wouldn't expect it in light of the resurgent German debate about the willingness of young Muslims to integrate into mainstream society, but integration in Germany is actually faring better than expected. An analysis by Jonathan Laurence
By Jonathan Laurence
Introducing Sharia in Western Legal Systems

When States Legally Sanction Discrimination

Integrating Islamic law in family law in European and North American societies poses a serious threat to women's rights – and to national integrity, writes Elham Manea, Swiss-Yemeni political scientist
By Elham Manea
Interview with Michael Muhammad Knight

''Religious Laws Can Change''

Michael Muhammad Knight has earned a reputation as an ostentatious cultural provocateur among American Muslims. In this interview with Richard Marcus, however, he talks quite seriously about matters of faith and the relation of religion and ideology
By Richard Marcus
Postal Threats Sent to Mosques in Germany

Solidarity in the Face of Rightwing Extremism and Racism

Germany's religious communities are standing shoulder to shoulder following the sending of obscure, threatening letters to mosques and the Jewish Community of Berlin. Background information by Jan Kuhlmann
By Jan Kuhlmann
Reforms in Saudi-Arabia

The Painstaking Moderation of the Narrow-Minded

Buraidah in Saudi Arabia has long been regarded as a bastion of Jihadism, where Al-Qaida could draw on many recruits. Yet, a transformation has been taking place for the past few years. A report by Rainer Hermann from Buraidah
The Muslim Social Media Network ''Salamworld''

A Halal-Friendly Space on the Internet

Salamworld aims to draw Muslims from around the world to have an exclusively Muslim 'halal' space online. But are young Muslims really so different than youth anywhere? Matthew Brunwasser reports from Istanbul
By Matthew Brunwasser
Rabbi Arik Asherman of Rabbis for Human Rights

A Different Way of Understanding Judaism

The Israeli organisation Rabbis for Human Rights protects Palestinian olive farmers and helps in the reconstruction of Palestinian houses. Co-founder Arik Asherman bases the group's commitment on religious sources. Andreas Baum spoke to him
By Andreas Baum
The International ''Global Prayers'' Project

Redemption and Liberation in the City

Mass prayers in Cairo, mega church services in Lagos, large-scale festivals in Mumbai: At the international "Global Prayers" conference in Berlin, researchers and artists explored the phenomenon that is the global expansion of cities and religions. Aya Bach reports
Row over Report on Young Muslims in Germany

Easy Pickings for Headline Grabbers

Comments issued by German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich on a controversial new study have triggered a debate on the refusal of young Muslims to integrate. But his critics accuse him of cherry-picking the report's findings to generate sensational headlines.
By Daniel Bax
American Islam

Decades Later, Malcolm X's Legacy Lives On

Muqtedar Khan looks at the legacy of Muslim civil rights activist Malcolm X, his journey through Islam – and what it means for America today
By Muqtedar Khan
Israeli Plans to Dismantle Solar Power Plants in the West Bank

Bulldozing German Development Aid

Solar and wind power plants built using German funds for Palestinian villages in the West Bank face an uncertain future. Israel says they are not authorised and wants them cleared.
By Bettina Marx