Society

Interview with Nasr Hamid Abu Zaid

"I am a Witness to the Changes in Islam"

Leading Islamic reformist and literary scholar, Nasr Hamid Abu Zaid, believes that individual freedom is an essential prerequisite to faith. Everyone, therefore, also has the right to convert to another faith. He talked to Erhard Brunn about some of his ideas
Criticism of Islamic Theologian Muhammad Kalisch

Doubt about Muhammad's Existence Poses Threat to Islamic Religious Education

Muhammad Sven Kalisch is an Islamic researcher at the University of Münster. He is also the first person in Germany to hold a Chair of Islamic Religion. Kalisch's recent public admission that he is unsure whether the Prophet Muhammad was actually a historical person has got him into hot water. Peter Philipp has the details
Portrait Albert Memmi

A Sober Look at Freedom

With his "Portrait of the Colonised" Tunisian-French sociologist and writer Albert Memmi laid forth a seminal work of decolonialism in the 1950s. This work was followed recently by "Portrait of the Decolonised", in which he draws a very sobering balance. Kersten Knipp visited the son of Jewish Arab parents in Paris
Protest against Planned Family Law in Iran

"Free Pass for Polygamous Men"

Iran's women rights activists are alarmed. The government has passed a new law for the "protection of the family". But this law is anything but family friendly. It systematically restricts the rights of women. A protest is forming among Iran's women rights activists. Dorna Hatamlooy reports with the details
Guided Tours for Muslims in Berlin's Jewish Museum

Discovering a Different Belief

The Jewish Museum in Berlin offers guided tours that highlight the parallels between Judaism and Islam. The guides are all Turkish Muslims and the tours are aimed primarily at Muslims. Panagiotis Kouparanis reports
Gender Roles in Iran

Between Taboo and Transcendence

How entrenched are gender roles in Iranian society? The exhibition "Naqsh – Insights into Gender and Role Models in Iran" surprises visitors to the Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin's Pergamon Museum with a multi-faceted discussion. Ariana Mirza visited the exhibition to take a look
Warblogs

"Riverbend" – a Voice of Reason

Weblogs are considered as supplementary information sources. Subjective, committed, more direct than the foreign perspectives of normal correspondents, they report from isolated conflict zones. "Warblogs," like "Riverbend", in particular, provide us with information from combat areas and trouble spots. By Amin Farzanefar
The Turkish Soap Opera "Noor"

More Real than Life

From Saudi Arabia to Morocco: Every evening the Turkish series "Noor" draws millions of people to their television sets. The show is about love, intimacy and equality; no social taboo is ignored. Alfred Hackensberger reports
Study "Islam goes Internet"

Cyber Islam and Online Fatwas

Islamic associations are increasingly joining others in taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the World Wide Web. In her study "Islam goes Internet. Websites of Islamic Organizations on the World Wide Web," Dr. Alev Inan traces the development of Islamic websites. Götz Nordbruch spoke with her about the study
"Manege" Youth Club

A Tiny Oasis in Berlin's Neukölln District

Often language alone is not enough to help people of different backgrounds communicate, which is why the leaders of a youth club in the Neukölln district of Berlin, where many immigrants live, use colour, music and movement. Naima El Moussaoui reports
Christians in Algeria

"Law and Order" Politics against Missionaries

In Algeria the state is attempting to enforce an Arab-Muslim "dominant culture". Most notably it is targeting Christian converts and Protestant evangelical sects. By Bernard Schmid
Interview with Barbara Ibrahim

A Wave of Charity among Egypt's Youth

Toys for orphans, tutoring for mentally disabled: voluntary dedication to the weaker is booming among young Egyptians. In this interview with Mona Sarkis, Barbara Ibrahim explains what is behind this