Society

Afghanistan as a Travel Destination

A Mixture of Hospitality, Humour and Brutality

A plethora of new books on Afghanistan have recently been released on the German and English-language markets. Two of them, surprisingly, deal with travel and tourism in the land of the Hindu Kush. Martin Gerner introduces the books
Visit to Salafist Mosque

The Law Comes From God

Salafists practice a literal interpretation of the Koran. For outsiders it is difficult to receive access to a congregation. Our reporter Albrecht Metzger succeeded in visiting a Salafist mosque in Aachen
The Pomaks

Caught in a Three-way Tug-of-War

The Pomaks are Bulgarians who converted to Islam during the Ottoman occupation of the country. In the course of the 20th century, they have been used as pawns in the conflicts between Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey. According to political scientist Emil Mintchev, the solution to their problem lies in the EU
Armenians in Syria

Half a Home

At the same time as the massacre of the Armenians around 1915, the Ottoman army drove hundreds of thousands of Armenians into the Syrian desert. Today, some 80,000 descendants of survivors live in Syria. Charlotte Wiedemann has visited them
Honor Killings in Jordan

In a Climate of Impunity

Brazil, Ecuador, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Morocco are just a few countries where honor killings occur. Anja Wehler-Schöck has studied the phenomenon of honor killings using the example of Jordanian society. Naima El Moussaoui talked with the political scientist
Mauritania's burden of slavery

Breaking the vicious circle!

In Mauritania, one of the poorest countries in the world, a large section of the population still suffers under slavery and its consequences to this day. Mona Naggar reports on the most recent successes in the fight against this historical burden
Human Rights Report

Mapping the Discrimination against Muslims in Europe

The renowned IHF-HR organisation has recently published a report on the discrimination against Muslims in Europe. Its findings: After 9/11 discriminations have increased – but in many cases public institutions have protected their rights. Ala Al-Hamarneh reports
Representing Muslim Interests in Europe

One for All?

Several European countries have a general Islamic association, the intention of which is to represent all Muslims in that country. However, opinions differ as to what constitutes representation. Nimet Seker compares the situation in various countries
Children for Pakistan

End Discrimination against the Disabled!

Pakistan's younger generation has developed a social conscience and, with the support of a private organization in Karachi, has taken the initiative to help disabled persons. Annette Meisters reports from Karachi
Immigrants in the Distorting Mirror of the Media

Stirring Things Up for Immigrants

Media reporting on immigrants has taken on a harsher tone since the terrorist attacks of September 11. Some old prejudices are back in fashion and being joined by some that are completely new. Christoph Butterwegge has been assessing the mood in Germany
The "Clash of Civilizations" in the Media

Suspension of Reason

After a Frankfurt judge supported her ruling with a reference to Islamic law, the German media prophesied the infiltration of the legal system by the Sharia. In his biting commentary Robert Misik takes a look at the German media landscape and warns against overall hysteria
EU Migration Policy

EU Makes Africa Its Deputy Sheriff

Instead of regarding migration as an opportunity, the EU has decided to focus on security policy. The result is a buildup on its borders, the outsourcing of Europe's refugee protection infrastructure, and a growing intolerance towards foreigners in member states. By Stephanie Zeiler