Society

Islam in Europe

"Bosnian Islam" as a Model?

How can Islam be integrated in Europe? One answer might be offered by the model of Bosnian Islam. For centuries Bosnia has been practicing Islam, albeit in a more moderate form. Zoran Arbutina reports
Grand Mufti Mustafa Ceric

A Plea for Greater Acceptance

The Grand Mufti of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Rais-ul-Ulema Mustafa Ceric, is critical of Europe's attitude toward Islam. Europe should understand Islam as a form of cultural enrichment and do more for religious Muslims in the European Union
Interview with Mustafa Ceric

"The West Does Not Want to Share Its Values"

Reis-ul-Ulema Mustafa Ceric is known to be a mediator between Islam and Christianity. In an interview with Erich Rathefelder, however, Ceric says that Europe could have avoided the problem of fundamentalist Islam in Bosnia, if it had defended Bosnian Muslims in the ethnic cleansings
The Independent News Magazine Al-Democraty

"Everyone Has a Right to Education"

From former guerilla fighter to the publisher of a news magazine: Palestinian Bassam Abu Sharif has undergone many transformations in his life. Since 2000 he has been publishing the independent news magazine Al-Democraty in Ramallah. By Rasha Khayat
Interview with Ibn Warraq

"Many Muslims React to Criticism of the Qur'an with Hysteria"

In an interview with Dirk Schönlebe, the author and Islam critic Ibn Warraq explains his views on freedom of opinion and the definition of tolerance in Islam, and the role of multiculturalism in the Western world
Imams and the Police in Germany

An Unusual Partnership

Just three years ago shoplifting and extortion were everyday events in Essen's multicultural district Katernberg. But nowadays the situation has improved dramatically - due to teamwork between local Imams and the police in the district. Alexandra Jarecka reports
The First Muslim Mayor in the Netherlands

Ahmed Marcouch - A Man of Action

Over a year ago Ahmed Marcouch became the first Muslim mayor of the Amsterdam district of Slotervaart. A Social Democrat, he is a man of action, resolutely pushing through tough measures – something that doesn't always win him friends. Kerstin Schweighöfer spoke to him
Germany

Wanted: Ethnic Minority Cops

The Berlin police force wants recruits from the city's considerable ethnic minorities, but similar efforts have met with scant success in the past. Why are Germany's immigrants so reluctant to become cops? Sonia Phalnikar reports
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