Society

''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
Interview with Minister of Social Affairs Aygül Özkan

''Diversity Is Better Than Closed-Mindedness''

Improved German skills, increasing numbers of immigrants in responsible positions: "Integration is progressing", deems Aygül Özkan. In this interview, the minister of social affairs for Lower Saxony demands that we not lose sight of what's been achieved in spite of all the critical debate
By Hans-Martin Schönherr-Mann
Interview with Uri Avnery

''Israel Was Also Proclaimed Unilaterally''

The Palestinian leadership wants the United Nations to recognise them as an independent state. In an interview, Israeli human rights activist Uri Avnery says that this could lead to progress in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
By Diana Hodali
After the Massacre in Norway

Critics of Islam Face a Dilemma

The massacre in Norway reveals just how wrong critics of Islam have been: it wasn't a Muslim who went to war against the West – it was one of their own, someone who shared many of their views. That has made it clear: the true enemies of the anti-Islam movement are not the Muslims, but its own supporters. By Stefan Weidner
By Stefan Weidner
Libya after Gaddafi

The High Price of Freedom

For years, the autocrats of the Middle East have terrified their people. Libya's Muammar al-Gaddafi is no exception. Omar Ashour examines the prospects for democratisation and possible outcomes of the uprising in Libya
Cologne's New Central Mosque

Open to All

Just a few months before the completion of Cologne's new central mosque, the debate about the building continues unabated, although the debate now circles more around its architecture and location than around political or social issues. Zulfikar Abbany has the details
By Zulfikar Abbany
Stefan Meining's Book on the History of the Islamist Scene in Germany

A Mosque in Munich

In his book Eine Moschee in Deutschland (A Mosque in Germany), Stefan Meining claims that the Islamist scene in Germany was systematically nurtured by the intelligence services. At the centre of the story is a mosque in Munich. But is there any truth behind the alleged connections to al-Qaeda and the terrorist attacks of 11 September? A review by Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende