Society

Integration Debate

Islam Is Not the Solution

It would be a mistake to rely on Muslim organisations alone on integration issues. Religious initiatives do, of course, have an influence. But the secular organisations are more important, says Götz Nordbruch
Women's Rights in Afghanistan

Without Hope

The situation of women in Afghanistan has not improved since the overthrow of the Taliban, report Afghan human rights activists. Many commit suicide to escape domestic violence. Claudia Isabel Rittel reports
"Baghdad, yesterday - The making of an Arab Jew"

A multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society

In 1950/51 the Iraqi government permitted its Jewish citizens to leave the country if they agreed to give up their Iraqi citizenship. Israel organized an airlift for the exodus which is described by Sasson Somekh in his book. Beate Hinrichs has read the work
Islamic Satellite Channels

Spiritual Guidance, Political Indoctrination, and Financial Profit

Islamic satellite channels are currently undergoing an unprecedented boom, as are the debates that question their funding and underlying message. Nelly Youssef reports
Islam in Germany

Learning from Ankara

Islam is just as compatible with democracy as any other religion. But if there is to be a modern Islam in Germany, support must be offered to liberal Muslims. A commentary Lale Akgün
Religion, Civilisation and Morality

God's Dubious Ethics

Those who speak for religious groups are convinced that a society without religious values experiences a decline in social morality. Robert Misik does not agree
Feminism beyond East and West

New Gender Talk and Practice in Global Islam

In her new book, Margot Badran takes a look at how Muslim women scholar-activists in various countries today envision Islam as a mandate for gender justice. Review by Yoginder Sikand
Lebanese Vineyards

Wine-Making Is an Art

Despite being one of the world's smallest wine producers, Lebanon has acquired a good reputation among international experts. In creating fine wines for the 21st century Lebanese vintners are building on a 4,000-year-old history. By Birgit Kaspar
Interview with Seyran Ates

The Multicultural Mistake

Seyran Ates is one of today's foremost pundits on the topic of integration in Germany. Now Seyran Ates has written a new book called "The Multicultural Mistake". Kathrin Erdmann spoke with Ates about the mistakes made by the left wing and what an alternative integration policy might look like
Interview with Charles Taylor

"We Think in Factions"

"The more one feels accepted, the less susceptible one is for extremism," Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor says. Edith Kresta and Daniel Bax spoke with him about multicultural society and integration politics in Europe and Canada
The Armenian Patriarch in Turkey

"I Would Like All Religions to Be Treated the Same"

According to the Armenian Patriarch in Turkey, Mesrob II, there is freedom of religion in Turkey. However, he is critical of inequality in the way the different religious communities are treated. Hülya Sancak spoke to him
Christians in Turkey

The Turks' Fear of the Missionary Menace

Despite Turkey's remarkable reforms in the wake of the country's rapprochement to Europe, Turks' fear of Christians is deep-rooted and goes back to WW I history. Susanne Güsten has this background report