Society

Religious Television Channels the Middle East

Prime Time for Islamic Television

Between 60 and 80 Islamic satellite television broadcasters have been launched over the last decade. Their aim is to proclaim the "true" Islam. But which one is the right one? Mona Sarkis reports
Interreligious "Eid Table" in Belgrade

One God, Many Names

Muslims in the Belgrade invited their Jewish and Christian neighbours to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr and break the fast with them at the end of Ramadan. The various religions do live quite happily side by side most of the time. By Danja Antonovic
Obituary for Mohammed Arkoun

A Pioneer of Modern Critical Islam Studies

The Algerian philosopher and reformist thinker Mohammed Arkoun, a man who crossed cultural borders and paved the way for new readings of Islam, died in Paris at the age of 82 on the evening of 14 September 2010. A key figure of con-temporary Islamic thought has left the stage. An obituary by Ursula Günther
Rabbis for the Rights of Palestinians

A Common Struggle for East Jerusalem

Tension is growing in the Arab quarters of East Jerusalem. The city administration plans the further demolition of Palestinian houses. The human rights organisation ‘Rabbis for Human Rights’ has demonstrated against the demolition. By Daniel Pelz
"The Brotherhood": a Controversial Egyptian Television Series

A Weapon in a Propaganda War or Artistically Valuable Drama?

Few Arabic television series have led to such controversy as the Egyptian series "The Brotherhood." It deals with the history of the Muslim Brotherhood and tells the story of the life of its founder, Hassan al-Banna. By Nelly Youssef
Ahmadiyya Community in Germany

Successor to the Promised Messiah

The Ahmadiyya religious community was founded in British India. Its leader sees himself as the returning Jesus Christ, Krishna and Buddha, which is why Muslims reject the Ahmadiyya. Report from the Sabine Annual Conference of the German Ahmadis
Inter-Faith Studies in Indonesia

Patient Bridge-Builders

The Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies brings together students from a Muslim, Christian and secular university and promotes dialogue with members of other faiths and non-believers. By Anett Keller
Interview with Hamid Dabashi

"Islam Is an Abstraction"

Hamid Dabashi is among the most highly respected scholars of Islam in the US. In this interview with Lewis Gropp, he explains how Islam in Europe will change as a result of the influence of European culture and European Muslims
By Lewis Gropp
Muslim Women on the Niqab

The Veil as a Protective Shield

Across Europe, one country after another is discussing the "burqa", the "niqab" and the possibility of banning both. Women who wear the niqab are surprisingly absent from this public discourse. By Stephanie Doetzer
Interview with Nawal El Saadawi

"We Need Constitutional Change"

Nawal El Saadawi is Egypt's most prominent feminist. She explains why she stood as a presidential candidate in 2005 – and why she does not view western feminists as role models. Amira El Ahl met her in Cairo
Greek Orthodox Liturgy in Turkey

Uncovering the Country's Non-Muslim Cultural Heritage

The Turkish government's decision to allow the Orthodox patriarch to celebrate a liturgy at the ancient Panagia Soumela Monastery indicates that Ankara intents to further strengthen the rights of religious minorities. By Iason Athanasiadis
Kristiane Backer on Ramadan

Fasting from Anger, Impatience and Negativity

As a host on the music channel MTV Europe, Kristiane Backer became an icon of 1990s pop music culture. In 1995 she converted to Islam. Backer shares personal Ramadan experiences and reflects on the meaning of this Islamic month of fasting