Society

Muhammad Iqbal

A Spiritual Bridge between East and West

To this day, activists of various political hues still draw on the thinking of Muhammad Iqbal, Pakistan's spiritual father and influential 20th-century philosopher, to such an extent that he also looks set to play a significant role in the future of the country. Stephan Popp introduces the man known as the "Scholar"
Germany's Islam Conference

State Islam Would Be Unconstitutional

The Muslims will have to organise if they want to ensure themselves of a place within the system of constitutional law on religion. In order to conduct negotiations on religious matters the neutral state requires someone to talk to. A commentary by canon lawyer Hans Michael Heinig
Tamim Ansary: "Destiny Disrupted"

World History from an Islamic Perspective

Afghan-born Tamim Ansary has written a history of the world that takes Islam as its central focus. Events are related from a Muslim point of view, beginning with the life of the Prophet through to September 11th, 2001. Review by Klaus Heymach
Interview with Nadeem Aslam

"Within Three or Four Years the Texture of Pakistani Life Changed"

In this interview with Claudia Kramatschek, Nadeem Aslam talks about his native Pakistan, the military rule of Zia ul-Haque, and his most recent novel, about Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion
Interview with Olivier Roy

"Full Equality before the Law for All Religions"

French political scientist Olivier Roy is one of the foremost European experts on Islam. His new book, "Holy Ignorance. When Religion and Culture Diverge", will soon be published in English. Eren Güvercin spoke with Roy about the current Islam debate in Europe
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