Society

Cross-Cultural Competence in the Bundeswehr

Proper Conduct

In officer training, the German armed forces are increasingly concentrating on instilling cross-cultural competence. This is a crucial factor for foreign missions. But this theme also plays a role within the armed forces themselves – because there are some 1,000 Muslim and 200 Jewish soldiers in the service today. Uta Hempelmann reports
Interview with Vanessa Steinmayer

"Islamic Financial System Is Not a Serious Alternative"

The current financial crash has wide-reaching consequences for the world's economy, many of which are yet to come. Élena-S. Eilmes spoke to the financial expert Vanessa Steinmayer on how the Islamic countries are affected, and whether an Islamic financial system would be less prone to crises
Mohamed Talbi

"Religious Dogmas Terrorize the Spirit"

The Tunisian intellectual Mohamed Talbi is regarded as one of the most critical leading thinkers in the Arab world. In his most recently published book, he denounces traditional Islamic religious scholars and argues for a contemporary reading of the Koran. Rachid Boutayeb introduces Mohamed Talbi
Mosques in Germany

"Criticism Is Allowed, But Not Hate Speech"

The Catholic bishops have published guidelines on 'Mosque Building in Germany' as a contribution toward 'making the debate more objective'. It is a rejection of all those who attempt to politically instrumentalize people's fears at Islam's growing presence. Claudia Mende reports
A Journey to the Afghan Province of Nuristan

Hope and Skepticism in the Valley of Light

People in the West generally perceive eastern Afghanistan as a war zone. True, the terrain is hotly contested, both politically and militarily. But we hear very little about the progress made in these remote regions. Martin Gerner reports from the area
Turkish Cultural Policy

Continuity and Change

The diversity of literature presented at the Frankfurt Book Fair also illustrates the contradictions in Turkish society today. Ömer Erzeren with an essay on Turkishliterary and cultural production between Kemalism and the religious conservative AKP
By Ömer Erzeren
Muslims in Laos

Hidden Beyond the Mekong

In terms of economic and political freedom, Laos still ranks among the most restricted countries in the world. It is all the more surprising, therefore, that the country's Muslims enjoy considerable religious freedom. Yogi Sikand paid a visit to Southeast Asia's smallest Muslim community
Perspectives of Radical Islam

Neutralising Violence

Abdelwahab Meddeb is one of the leading intellectuals proposing a progressive interpretation of Islam. His book The Malady of Islam caused heated debates in the Muslim world. In this text, he calls for a revision of Koranic statements based on a historical reading of the text
By Abdelwahab Meddeb
Islamic Religion Classes in German Schools

Promoting Integration

According to the German constitution, Muslims do have a right to religious education for their children under the supervision of the state, just as Christians do. Now, for the first time, German schools will have a textbook for Islamic religion classes. Claudia Mende reports
The Life of Muhammad

In Search of the Historical Evidence

There has been no shortage of books on the Prophet Muhammad recently. Katajun Amirpur has been taking a closer look at two of them: one by Islamic Studies professor Tilman Nagel, the other by the great Islamic philosopher, Nasr Hamid Abu Zaid
The Turkish '68

The Lost Generation

The resurgence of Islam in Turkey began as a counter-reaction to the leftist student activism of 1968; one of the key activists among the right-wing students of the time is now the country's president. Zafer Senocak takes a look back
Winston Churchill: Crusade against the Empire of the Mahdi

Genesis of Jihadism?

Winston S. Churchill's war report from the Sudan is being rediscovered. The uprising against Anglo-Egyptian rule in the Sudanese provinces at the end of the 19th century was also the beginning of Islamic jihad, according to the publishers. Joseph Croitoru has been reading all about it