Society

British Women's Jihad against Violence

جهاد المرأة البريطانية ضد العنف

Open any newspaper in the UK today and the two topics that govern any discussion on Muslims are women and extremism. Unsurprisingly, writes Sara Khan, Muslim women feel these topics are inadequately addressed by Muslims themselves. Two British organisations recently decided that the time had come to take action
By Sara Khan
Interview with Rana Husseini

''Arabs Were Never Passive – They Were Oppressed!''

The Jordanian journalist and human rights activist Rana Husseini has made a significant contribution to fundamentally changing the way Jordanian society deals with the issue of honour crimes. In this interview, she talks about her work and the impact of the Arab Spring
By Rigien Bagekany
Syria: The Opposition and the Church

A Slap in the Face for the Pro-Democracy Movement

While church leaders pledge their support for the Assad regime, Christians in Syria are backing the protest movement for democratic change. The endorsement of the regime's propaganda slogans by the representatives of the churches puts them in an increasingly precarious position, as Claudia Mende reports
By Claudia Mende
German-Turkish Professionals in Istanbul

Highly Prized in Turkey, Ignored in Germany

Many well-educated German-Turks emigrate to Turkey. In Germany, where there is a shortage of qualified personnel, the effects of this loss are making themselves felt. But the trend is the consequence of a disregard that has been practised for decades. Semiran Kaya reports from Istanbul
By Semiran Kaya
Interview with Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd

For a Plurality of Koranic Interpretations

One year ago, Nasr Hamid Abu Zaid, Egyptian Koranic thinker and one of the leading liberal theologians in Islam, died prematurely at the age of 56. In one of his last interview with Yoginder Sikand, he speaks about his work and reflects on his efforts to promote a humanistic reading of the Islamic tradition
By Yoginder Sikand
Portrait of Humaira Ameer Rasuli

''It's Not Easy Being an Afghan Woman''

She may laugh a lot, but Humaira Ameer Rasuli lives dangerously. The Afghan human rights activist speaks out in a country where women are still excluded from the development process. By Sandra Petersmann
By Sandra Petersmann
Migration in Germany

Football Can Contribute to Integration

Football in Germany is a powerful force in helping to integrate young people with an immigrant background. This is particularly the case for girl football players. Yet, there is still an intercultural deficit on the football field. Olivia Fritz reports
By Olivia Fritz
Interview with Sami Kilani

''The Symbol of Resistance Is Not the Bullet!''

The Deacon of the Faculty for Education at the An Najah University in Nablus, Sami Kilani, is among the most influential advocates of non-violence in the Arab world. He is optimistic that the peaceful form of protest conducted in Tunisia and Egypt is an example that will be followed in other Arab countries
By Mona Naggar
Friday Protests in the Arab World

More than Religious Symbolism

As the central rallying day of the week in ongoing Arab revolutions, Friday should not be reduced to its religious dimension and understood in a way that might give the uprisings an Islamic background, says the Libyan writer Mustafa Fetouri in this commentary
By Mustafa Fetouri
Islamic Fashion

Entrepreneurial Muslim Women Make Modest Dress Mainstream

Fashion-conscious young Muslim women are well aware that in western societies, covering up is often considered more scandalous than baring all. Jane Paulick reports
By Jane Paulick
Hamed Abdel-Samad: The Downfall of the Islamic World

A Blatant Lack of Objectivity

In his new book, the Egyptian-German author Hamed Abdel Samad claims that the collapse of Islam and Arab culture is inevitable. Christian Horbach read the book and feels that the author lacks objectivity
By Christian Horbach
The Mission in Christianity and Islam

The Claim to Truth in a Plural Society

Proselytising means in part to impose one's faith on others. In a book of collected essays Muslim and Christian theologians explore together how the profession of faith can be lived out appropriately in today's world. By Susanne Kappe
By Susanne Kappe