Society

The Integration Myth

A Correction

According to Confucius, every good government should start by 'rectifying terms'. It would therefore seem to be a good idea to clarify the term 'integration' and debunk the six great myths about it. An analysis by Rainer Oechslen
By Rainer Oechslen
Islamic Children's Books

Integration through Early Reading

Until now, there were no books for Muslim children in Germany, and this is why Ahmad Milad Karimi founded his own publishing house. In this interview with Claudia Mende, he explains how he aims to convey a tolerant image of Islam through his books
By Claudia Mende
Islam in Ireland

''The Kids Are Good Now''

Up until the 1990s there was virtually no immigration to Ireland. However, the economic boom of the "Celtic Tiger" led to a huge increase in the number of Muslim professionals in the country. Have Ireland's Muslim communities been influenced by the financial crisis? Joseph Burke takes a look
By Joseph Burke
The Press in Syria

Independent Media as Enemies of the System

Syria always ranks close to the bottom of the Press Freedom Index published annually by the organisation "Reporters Without Borders". And as Mona Naggar reports, the Ba'ath regime has stepped up censorship and persecution in response to recent protests in the country
By Mona Naggar
Egypt's Christian Minority

Copts Fear for the Future

Egypt's Coptic minority has long claimed it suffers discrimination in the Muslim-majority country. Many had hoped that would change in the wake of the revolution, but many fear a return of the old ways. By Magdalena Suerbaum
By Magdalena Suerbaum
Nader Hashemi and Danny Postel's ''The People Reloaded''

The Green Movement and the Struggle for Iran's Future

With their anthology on Iran's Green Movement, Nader Hashemi and Danny Postel provide an intellectual and political road map to the country's largest political protest since the 1979 revolution. Ramin Jahanbegloo introduces "The People Reloaded"
By Ramin Jahanbegloo
On the Death of Juliano Mer-Khamis

100 Percent Juliano

The murdered theatre director and artist Juliano Mer-Khamis spent his life walking on a tightrope. A traitor to some, while a visionary to others – and an exception on the Israeli as well as the Palestinian side. An obituary by Stephanie Doetzer
By Stephanie Doetzer
Indonesia's Cultural Heritage

Eternal Knowledge

Precious Javanese manuscripts are being restored and digitised through the combined efforts of a team of German and Indonesian scholars to ensure their preservation for future generations. By Anett Keller
The German Islam Scholar Lamya Kaddor

Why I as a Muslim Woman Don't Wear a Headscarf

Does the Koran really demand that women wear headscarves? Or is it mainly older men who claim they can decide how women should dress – with no theological foundation whatsoever? For the Islam scholar Lamya Kaddor, there is no question about it: the headscarf is obsolete
By Lamya Kaddor
Islam in Germany

Who Really Wants Muslim Integration?

Despite all their efforts to integrate, Muslims often have a problem of trust. Like the Muslim community in Penzberg, Bavaria: even though it has opened its doors and its mosque, it has been categorised as ‘anti-constitutional’ by the German state security services. By Claudia Mende
The Writer Edmond Amran El Maleh

A Moroccan Jew with Arabo-Berber Roots

The Jewish Moroccan writer Edmond Amran El Maleh died last year at the age of 93. The Moroccan National Library in Rabat is now dedicating a major exhibition to this anti-colonial freedom fighter and patriot. Regina Keil-Sagawe reports
Democratisation in Egypt and Indonesia

"Do Not Repeat Our Mistakes!"

Thirteen years after the political reforms, Indonesia is viewed as the most stable democracy in its region. Is there something Egypt can learn from the Indonesian example? A critical analysis by Saskia Louise Schäfer