Society

Koran Translations

Precise or Poetic?

Two new German translations of the Koran are set to appear on book shelves just in time for the Frankfurt Book Fair. But why do we need more translations of the Koran, when there are already so many available? And: what are the key issues that arise when rendering the Koran into another language? By Peter Philipp
The Human Rights Organisation 'Droits des Gens'

Close to the People

Most NGOs working in Morocco are based in the capital Rabat or the finance metropolis Casablanca. One important human rights organisation "Droits des Gens" deliberately based itself in Fez in order to be closer to the people it supports. Beat Stauffer was there
Koran School for Women in Yemen

Amid the Daughters of the Prophet

In her report Rosa Gosch writes about her experiences at Dar az-Zahra, a Koran school for women in Yemen, where reciting in public and preaching is an important part of their training
Refugees and Emigrants in Mali

The Dream of a Better Life

Many Malians try to escape gloomy prospects at home by fleeing to Europe. But Mali is also a transit county for refugees from other African countries. NGOs are now trying to advise the refugees, some with financial support from the EU. A reportage by Klaus Sieg
"We Are Half of Iran's Population"

Institutionalised Oppression

In her new documentary film, renowned director Rakhshan Bani-Etemad examines discrimination and legally disadvantaged position of Iranian women and highlights new forms of resistance to the political pressures in the Islamic Republic. By Alessandro Topa
Interview with Irene Khan

"You Cannot Import Human Rights"

Irene Khan, not only the first woman secretary-general of Amnesty International but also the first Asian and Muslim to hold that position, speaks to Ayse Karabat about the cultural relativity of human rights debates and their relation to power and politics
Muslim Professional Footballers during Ramadan

To Fast or Not to Fast?

Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, began on 21 August. No exception is made for Muslim professional footballers, who are also obliged to practice abstinence for four weeks. But is it not a bad idea for those involved in competitive sport to observe such a strict fast? By André Tucic
Mohammed Ali Abtahi

Working Against the Misuse of Religion by Politics

The former Iranian Vice President Mohammed Ali Abtahi founded an institute for interreligious dialogue in Tehran. Now he is on trial in an Iranian revolutionary court. Corinna Mühlstedt spoke to him before his arrest
German Immigration Policy

"A Yawning Gap Has Been Filled"

The establishment of Council of Experts on Integration and Immigration by eight major German foundations has evoked a consistently positive resonance in the German states and federal government. An interview with the Council's chairman, Klaus J. Bade, on German immigration policy
Humour in the Islamic World

Digging at the Despots

Since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 and the cartoon controversy, few West Europeans connect the Arab world with humour and irony. Yet, Islamic culture can in no way be considered a humour-free zone. Andrea Lueg reports
Iraqi Prisons

The Curse of Abu Ghraib

Last February Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison, made notorious by graphic pictures of abuse of inmates by US jailers, has reopened with top-of-the-range facilities and a new name. Birgit Svensson reports
Zoroastrians in Iran

In Decline

Next to Judaism, Zoroastrianism is one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions and it was the state religion in the Persian Empire long before the Muslim conquest. Today, however, the faith ekes out a shadowy existence. Arian Fariborz reports