Society

Islamic feminism

Evolving gender rights

In her latest book – "Journeys Toward Gender Equality in Islam" – legal anthropologist and activist Ziba Mir-Hosseini talks to six leading Muslim reformists about gender, women's rights and the latter's evolution over time. Interview by Tugrul von Mende
By Tugrul von Mende
Turks in Germany

President Erdogan's long arm strategy

The inauguration of Turkish President Erdogan was attended by many international heads of state. Also present were representatives of the Turkish diaspora. Turks abroad are especially important to Erdogan – particularly those living in Germany. By Elmas Topcu
By Elmas Topcu
Empowering women

Transforming horizons in rural Morocco

Research conducted in Morocco reveals the positive community impact of sustainable agricultural initiatives when preceded by women's empowerment workshops, leading to participatory action, enhanced community well-being and decentralisation. By Yossef Ben-Meir
By Yossef Ben-Meir
Sudan: War on women

Abducted and raped

Sudanese women are paying a particularly high price for the war that has now lasted more than six weeks. Sexual violence – committed by all parties – has skyrocketed. By Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
Human rights violations under Assad

Syrian state torture on trial

A new trilingual anthology showcases recent efforts to achieve justice for the victims of crimes committed in Syria. The book lends perspective to the trials held in Germany, offers historical and social contextualisation and outlines the limits of this judicial approach. By Rene Wildangel
By René Wildangel
750th anniversary of Rumi’s death – Part 2

A message of love, tolerance and peace

How is Rumi’s legacy preserved in the Mevlevi order today? An interview with Sufi Master Hayat Nur Artiran from Istanbul. By Marian Brehmer
By Marian Brehmer
Philosophy, Arab world trend

Erich Fromm's advice for troubled times

The writings of German-American philosopher Erich Fromm (1900-1980) are trending in the Arab world. Claudia Mende asked Hamid Lechhab, translator of Fromm's works into Arabic, what might be behind this
By Claudia Mende
Far-right terror in Germany

Solingen: 30 years after the arson attack

Five people were killed by far-right terrorists in Solingen in 1993 because they were from Turkey. Their relatives are still fighting to preserve their memory. By Peter Hille
By Peter Hille
Palestinians on the Nakba

"It's part of our lives"

On 15 May Palestinians marked the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, or "catastrophe" – the mass displacement from their homeland in 1948. Tania Kraemer asked some Palestinians how those events continue to define their lives today
By
Humanitarian crisis in Sudan

"I'm trapped in the war"

Sudanese are desperately trying to leave their country. But many, like Mahir Elfiel, are trapped because their passports are stuck in one of the closed European embassies. Here he talks about his hopeless situation. Andrea Backhaus recorded his story
By Andrea Backhaus
Yazidis in Sinjar, Iraq

The deep scars left by IS terror

For centuries, the Yazidis lived in the northern Iraqi region of Sinjar. In 2014, the region was overrun by the so-called "Islamic State", which committed genocide against the Yazidi population. This brutal chapter in Yazidi history has left deep and lasting scars. To this day, the community in Sinjar is still picking up the pieces. By Birgit Svensson
By Birgit Svensson
Synagogue shooting in Tunisia

What next for Djerba?

Jews on the Tunisian holiday island of Djerba, where a gunman killed five people last week during a Jewish pilgrimage, are asking why – and what happens next. By Cathrin Schaer and Tarak Guizani
By Cathrin Schaer, Tarak Guizani