Society

The Ahmadiyya Community in Germany

Admonitions from the Caliph

For his followers, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad is the representative of the promised Messiah in Islam. Around 30,000 Ahmadi Muslims came to see their Caliph at the annual German meeting. By Andreas Gorzewski
The Turkish Reformation

The Islam of Today Lacks a Philosophy

Turkish Islam has arrived in today's world, writes Zafer Senocak in his essay. But, he says, the Islam of today still lacks a philosophy, and it avoids the fundamental issues
Iraqi Refugees in Syria

Open Door Policy at Significant Cost

Syria's welcoming policy toward Iraqi refugees has been praised by the UN. But the estimated 1.5 million Iraqis who fled the violence in their home country are putting increasing stress on the Syrian housing market and the public sector. Zaytuna Razan reports
British Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies

Increasing Politicisation

Professors and lecturers at Britain's Islamic Studies departments have denied that there is a link between Islamic Studies and extremism on campuses in the United Kingdom. Susannah Tarbush has the details
Interview with Maulana Kalbe Sadiq

''Education Is the Most Crucial Challenge for India's Muslims''

Maulana Kalbe Sadiq is one of India's leading Shia Muslim scholars. In this interview with Yoginder Sikand, he talks about educational concepts of Indian Muslim scholars and their widespread reluctance to face Muslims' contemporary challenges
Morocco's Female Religious Counsellors

Fighting Religious Fundamentalism

As part of a sweeping reform of religious life in Morocco, women have been receiving training as religious counsellors for the first time ever. The intention is that they will assume religious and educational tasks - bhey are not permitted to lead prayers. By Mohamed Massad
Islam and Muslims in Germany

The Changing Image of Turks in Germany

An argument over a planned mosque has turned into a fundamental debate about Islam. People have come to be defined by their religion, and every Muslim is an enemy of the constitution. A view of the issues from Sanem Kleff and Eberhard Seidel
Interview with Imam Cheick Mohamad Diallo

Every Day a New Battle against Circumcision in Mali

Charlotte Wiedemann talks with Imam Cheick Mohamad Diallo, Secretary General of an association of West African Muslims and Christians against circumcision, about his difficult battle against female genital circumcision in Mali
A Christian Private School in the West Bank

Thinking beyond Barbed Wire

"Talitha Kumi" is the name of a Christian private school in the West Bank, located on a hill in Beit Jala surrounded by the Israeli wall. Mona Sarkis went for a visit and talked to the school's director
The Emergence of Islam

No Prophet Named Muhammad?

"To shed light on the dark beginnings of Islam" is the call of Karl-Heinz Ohlig, editor of the volume "Early Islam". Its authors claim to be able to trace the actual emergence of Islam through recourse to "contemporary sources". Daniel Birnstiel has read the book
Computer Games

Virtual Excursion to the Middle East

"Global Conflicts: Palestine" puts players in the role of a journalist reporting on the conflict between Israel and Palestine. A "serious game" as a teaching tool? Lorenz Matzai reports
Islam and Politics in Morocco

Nadia Yassine's Journey

The social entrapment of millions of poor Moroccans feeds a hunger for improvement. Can the the charismatic reformist Islamism of Nadia Yassine be the vehicle to deliver it.
By KA Dilday