Society

Arabic in Latin Script

Lost in Arabic

Arabic was never easy. But if the language spoken by some 240 million people with its convoluted verb forms and guttural phonology suddenly starts appearing in Latin script, then things get really complicated. And at the same time very straightforward. Details from Mona Sarkis
By Mona Sarkis
Portrait of the Footballer Fatmire Bajramaj

From Refugee to World Champion

Fatmire "Lira" Bajramaj is the superstar of German women's football. The young Muslim shot goals on a TV sports show in high heels, wears makeup on the pitch and is active in integration projects. She recently published her biography at the tender age of 22. By André Tucic
Lamya Kaddor on Being a Muslim German Woman

Questioning Tradition

Lamya Kaddor, an expert in Islamic Studies and religious pedagogy, advocates a contemporary interpretation of Islam and is fighting to prevent both Muslim fundamentalists and Western critics from taking over the debate. Ulrich Schwerin read her new book
Muslim Integration in Germany

The God of Small Things

The vast majority of everyday contacts have nothing to do with religion. It is high time the debate on Muslim immigrants and integration in Germany was de-Islamicised, comments the Islam Studies scholar Michael Kiefer
Interview with Jonathan M. Bloom

An Ancient Game of Architectural "Tit for Tat"

Jonathan M. Bloom, who lectures in the history of Islamic art and architecture at the Boston College of Arts and Sciences, considers the Swiss decision to prohibit the construction of minarets to be a slap in the face of the Muslim community in Switzerland. Eren Güvercin asked him about the origin and history of the minaret
Media Users of Turkish Origin in Germany

Right or Left Leg?

Almost three million people of Turkish origin live in Germany. Despite the fact that a recent integration study suggests that they are not as well integrated as other migrant groups, Germany doesn't really have a parallel Turkish society. By Andreas Wirwalski
Integration of Muslim Citizens in Germany

Respect for One Another – Respect for Democracy

A greater understanding of Islam and of Islamic culture on the part of the majority society is the key to successful integration of Muslim fellow citizens in Germany, writes Stephan J. Kramer, Secretary General of the Central Council of Jews in Germany
Yusuf al-Qaradawi and Minorities

Learned Intolerance

With his hostility towards religious minorities in the Islamic world and his wholesale dismissal of Muslim life in Europe, the Islamic scholar and television preacher Yusuf al-Qaradawi is damaging dialogue and interreligious communication. A commentary by Khaled Hroub
By Khaled Hroub
Islam in Bosnia

Ground-Breaking Concepts of Secularization

Islam has been practiced in Bosnia for centuries. Claudia Mende asked Armina Omerika, an expert in Islamic studies, whether the Bosnian Islamic tradition could serve as a model for the integration of Muslims in other European societies
Islam and Democracy

The Acceleration of History

Contrary to the European experience, secularization in the Islamic world preceded a religious reformation – with profound negative consequences for political development in Muslim societies. An essay by Nader Hashemi
Germany's Current Debate on Islam

The New Cold War

Germany's debates on Islam are becoming ever more caustic and confusing. Islamic Studies expert Stefan Weidner explains the background to the debates, to help neutral observers to find their way around
Corruption in the Arab World

Bought Loyalties

Corruption and nepotism are widespread in Arab nations. Large-scale bribery is not uncommon, even among leading politicians, as Birgit Kaspar reports from Beirut