Society

Interview with Heiner Bielefeldt

"The Hard Core of Islamophobia Is Racist"

A ban on the burqa is possible, but a ban on the construction of minarets is unlawful, says the former director of the German Institute for Human Rights, Heiner Bielefeldt. He also considers the "hard core of Islamophobia" to be racist. Christian Rath sends us this interview
Interview with the Historian Michael Borgolte

"Islam Was Always Part of Europe"

Present-day Muslim immigration is returning Europe to its former historical state: the continent was a place of religious plurality from late antiquity on. Ralph Bollmann spoke to the historian Michael Borgolte about the history of Muslims in Europe
Arabic Blogs in Crisis

Over-estimated Agents of Change

What can blogs really achieve? Is too much expected of them? How can they make a difference? Mohammed Sahli, Moroccan blogger and organiser of the Arabic Blog Awards, talks about the development of the Arabic blogosphere, its future and the social role of blogs
Women's Rights in India

The Constitution Can Wait

India does not have a uniform civil code regulating family relationships. The religion of the parties determines which law governs the rights and obligations of a family's members, a situation that, according to Ved Kumari, professor of Law at the University of Delhi, upholds the inequality of the sexes
The Monastery "Deir Mar Musa" in Syria

A Haven for Spirituality and Dialogue

The monastery "Deir Mar Musa" in the desert between Lebanon and Syria is an attraction for believers from all over the world. The convent is an oasis of intercultural and interreligious understanding. Stephen Starr reports from Syria
Islamic Dietary Laws in Practice

Halal for All

It's not easy to eat a purely halal diet. Muslim consumers in Germany have to be well informed and sometimes accept compromises. There are now halal seals of approval, but it is still almost impossible to avoid traces of pork in food products. By Ute Hempelmann
Cairo's Townhouse Gallery

Nerve Centre for Egypt's Young Art Scene

The Townhouse in the centre of Cairo, opened by the Canadian William Wells in 1998, has grown into an established magnet for artists, but also for children, families and refugees. Amira El Ahl has the details
Women in Turkey

Trapped in the Gender Gap

Turkey ranked 129th out of 134 countries in the latest Global Gender Gap Report published by the WEF. Ayşe Karabat explores the challenges faced by the women of the world's 17th largest economy
By Ayşe Karabat
Restoration of the Old Quarter in Herat

A Race against Time

Germany is providing financial support for the restoration of the Old Quarter in the Afghan city of Herat. The aim is to help the Afghans retrieve some of their lost identity and to create new jobs by funding the conservation of their culture. Britta Petersen reports from Herat
Portrait Sadiq Al-Azm

An Argumentative Arab Enlightener

The Syrian philosopher Sadiq Al-Azm is one of the highest-profile and most strident critics of the Arab world. To this day, his ideas are between all fronts, making him enemies of both Islamist and secular dogmatists. Sadiq Al-Azm is soon to celebrate his 75th birthday. A portrait by Kersten Knipp
Interview with Asra Nomani

'Gender Jihad' in the Service of Women's Rights

The 44-year-old US writer Asra Nomani is viewed as a prominent representative of "Gender Jihad". For the former Wall Street Journal reporter, there is no contradiction between Islam and feminism. She spoke to Alfred Hackensberger
Opus Prize for Aicha Chenna

"Secular in My Head, Muslim in My Heart"

The Opus Prize, worth 1 million US dollars, is awarded to people who are motivated by their faith to carry out humanitarian work. This year the award went to an Arab Muslim woman for the first time – Aicha Chenna of Morocco. Martina Sabra visited the founder of the women's organization Solidarité Féminine in Casablanca