Society

Jewish and Muslim mysticism

Jewish mystics on the Sufi path

The Middle East conflict has dug deep trenches of enmity between Jews and Muslims. That makes it easy to forget that, for centuries, the two religions contributed much to each other's philosophy and spirituality. Nimet Seker looks at the influence of Muslim Sufism on Jewish mysticism
IslamOnline Dispute

End of the Dialogue?

At the beginning of March, IslamOnline.net was one of the most successful websites in the Middle East. Now the editorial team are locked in a power struggle with their Islamist financial backers in Qatar. Alfred Hackensberger reports
Online Sex Shop for Muslims

Sharia-conform Eroticism from Amsterdam

Abdelaziz Aouragh opened the world's first halal shop for sexual enhancement products. It is but one indication that many young Muslims are charting their own course in managing adherence to a faith whose sexual morals historically have been interpreted by arch conservatives. James M. Dorsey reports
Islamic Manuscripts from Mali

From Holes in the Sand to a Digital Library

Forgotten, stolen and now rediscovered: In West African Timbuktu, families have maintained thousands of Islamic manuscripts down the centuries. Private individuals such as Abdelkader Haidara are now working to protect and digitise this African library heritage. By Charlotte Wiedemann
"Wasla" – Egypt's Magazine for Bloggers without Blogs

Experiments on Paper

Internet blogs are today taking on increasing importance in Egypt. But many readers simply don't have the time to do so much reading online. The new blog magazine "Wasla" is setting out to change that. Haytham Abdelathim presents the first issue
Tribute to the British Muslim Gai Eaton

Glamour and Humility

Gai Eaton, or Sidi Hasan, which was his Muslim name, was a diplomat, author and one of Britain's most influential convert Muslims. In his nearly 60 years as a Muslim he proved that British values are very much compatible with Islamic ones, writes Kristiane Backer in her tribute to a friend
Foreign Television Broadcasters in Arabic

Waving the Flag in Arab Living Rooms

A steadily increasing number of foreign television broadcasters are battling to win over public opinion in Arab countries. Media experts forecast an intensification of this competition, especially now that the private sector has also stepped into the arena. By Mona Sarkis
Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism

Mechanisms of Exclusion and Discrimination

According to Wolfgang Benz, head of the Center for Research on Anti-Semitism at Berlin's Free University, there are structural similarities in the stigmatisation of Muslims and Jews. An interview by Claudia Mende
The Photographer Judah Passow

An Eye for the Tragedy of the Conflict

The photographer Judah Passow, four times awarded with the World Press Award, abhors religious fervour and works towards social tolerance. Alexandra Senfft met with Passow in London and offers us a portrait of the man
Migration and Integration in Germany

The "Heroes" of Berlin-Neukölln

The "Heroes" project in Berlin is designed to help boys from Muslims families to break with traditional patriarchal behaviour patterns and stand up against honour being used as a means of suppression. Regina Friedrich reports
New Participants in the German Islam Conference

The Patronised Minority

There is something deeply paternalistic, even un-democratic, about the policy for choosing members of the German Islam Conference. The ministry deliberates behind closed doors. And the Muslims wait to see who will represent them. A commentary by Hilal Sezgin
Interview with the Senegalese Sociologist Amsata Sene

Last Stop Senegal

Many young Senegalese want to go to Europe to escape unemployment and poverty. They risk their lives to fulfil this goal. Of those that make it, most are deported back to Senegal. Naima El Moussaoui spoke to the Senegalese sociologist Amsata Sene about the causes and the consequences of irregular migration to Europe