Society

Interview with Tariq Ramadan

''We Are Europeans''

Tariq Ramadan is considered by many one of Europe's most influential intellectuals. In this interview with Claudia Mende, the Swiss Muslim academic talks about his understanding of European citizenship, his concept of sharia, and the shortcomings of a literal interpretation of the Koran
By Claudia Mende
The Debate over a Prize Awarded to Navid Kermani

The Crucified Dialogue

A forthcoming award for cultural dialogue has been withdrawn from Navid Kermani because he wrote an essay in which he dealt critically with the Christian theology of the cross. In his commentary, Stefan Weidner says it's Kermani's critics who have shown themselves to be incapable of dialogue
Portrait of Frédéric Oumar Kanouté

Not Your Average Footballer

Frédéric Oumar Kanouté is no ordinary footballer: he has donated a large sum of money to a mosque, raises money for needy children, and takes a clear stance on the conflict in the Middle East. A portrait by André Tucic
Navid Kermani on Islam in Germany

A Plea for Cultural Pluralism

The writer and Islamic scholar Navid Kermani has written a refreshingly calm affirmation of the notion of a multicultural society. Ulrich von Schwerin has read the book
Sustainable Tourism in Egypt

Artificial, But Ecologically Correct

Twenty years after it was founded, the Red Sea resort of El Gouna in Egypt has become a model for environmentally-friendly tourism development: an artificial town which the world can learn a lot from. Taufig Khalil paid a visit
Robert Misik: Criticism in the Spirit of Enlightenment

Deliver Us from the Return of Religion!

Robert Misik may be a textbook critic of religion, but he is also one of the most vocal opponents of Islamophobic disparagement. Lewis Gropp met the Viennese journalist and author
By Lewis Gropp
Islam, Environment and Sustainability

"The Environmental Crisis is also a Spiritual Crisis"

For some years now a global environmental discourse has been underway, one that connects ecological themes with Islamic ethics. But to what extent can Islam really give us guidance on ecological sustainability? Eren Güvercin seeks answers from expert Sigrid Nökel
Perspectives on Sharia

On the Plurality of Islamic Law

There are very few comprehensive studies of Sharia around. German lawyer and Islamic Studies expert Mathias Rohe has just written one where, among other things, he argues that the historical and global perspective has always produced a multiplicity of interpretations. Martina Sabra has been reading it
Interview with Bülent Ucar

"Fear of an Imposed State-approved Version of Islam"

According to Bülent Ucar, chair of Islamic Religious Education Studies at the University of Osnabrück, the religiously neutral state should not become embroiled in specific questions of Islamic theology. But he does expect the Muslim organisations to undergo major restructuring. Elbeyi Güvercin talked to Bülent Ucar
Muslims and the West

Desperately Seeking Occidentalists

If relations between the West and the Muslim world are to be improved, writes Maulana Waris Mazhari, Muslims must make a serious attempt not only to study both the positive and the negative aspects of Western thought, civilisation and history, but also to learn from them
Afghanistan's Shiites

Confident Reformers

Afghanistan's new draft marriage law unleashed a wave of international protest, but the impression that the country's Shiites have become radical Islamists is deceptive, leading to false conclusions. Martin Gerner reports from Kabul
Young Muslim Lifestyle

Urban Fashion for Young Muslims

A young fashion label is trying to bridge the gap between modern lifestyle and the earnest practice of faith. Styleislam's products already enjoy cult status among young Muslims in Germany, as Heiner Kiesel reports