Society

Facebook – Has Young Egyptians Hooked Online

Cyberspace Link-Ups

At the end of last year, access to the US-based Facebook website became available to users throughout the world. Egyptian teenagers have been as enthusiastic as any of their contemporaries when it comes to exploring the pros and cons of networking. By Sherif Abdel Samad
Book Review: "Fleeing Force"

Society in Motion: Of Migrants and Tourists

In their book, Mark Terkessidis und Tom Holert examine the phenomenon of people 'in movement' and the consequences of this mobility. Heike Friesel reports
Amnesty International Report on Turkey

Turkey's Justice System Needs Reform

Amnesty International has released a damning report entitled "Turkey: The Entrenched Culture of Impunity Must End". In it, Amnesty outlines the country's persistent violations of human rights and a lack of willingness to deal with the problem. By Mark Caldwell
Interview with Andreas Hieronymus

"You Have Rights"

The Research Institute for Migration and Racism (iMiR) in Hamburg is responsible for compiling annual reports on the situation of various groups affected by racism in Germany. Dr. Andreas Hieronymus, director of the institute, explains the centre's role to Susan Javad
BBC Prize for Catholic Radio Pacis

Peace of Christ for All – Also for Ugandan Muslims

The Ugandan radio station "Radio Pacis" has won several BBC prizes as the best non-commercial station in East Africa, and recently the station was awarded the "Best African New Radio" prize in Nairobi. Erhard Brunn reports
Gender Equality and the Sharia

Thirty Egyptian Women Assume Judgeships

After a decision by the Supreme Judicial Council the judicial world in Egypt is split along those who encourage the presence of women on the bench and between those who strongly object to female presence as a practise that goes against the shari'a. Nelly Youssef reports
Media in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Between Self-censorship and Repression

Mass media in Iran are subjected to censorship and the tyranny of state control. Journalists who refuse to toe the line and follow the official ideology have to be prepared to suffer severe repression – or to flee abroad. By Asghar Schirazi
Holocaust Conference in Indonesia

Breaking Down Prejudices and Ignorance

An international holocaust conference was recently held in the world's most highly populated Muslim country, Indonesia. The unusual gathering brought together Muslim dignitaries, holocaust survivors and even Israeli rabbis. Tobias Grote-Beverborg has the details
Afghan Journalist Murdered

The Voice of Peace Has Been Silenced

The number of targeted attacks on women who play an active role in public life in Afghanistan is on the increase. The murder of Zakia Zaki on 6 June is the latest instalment in an appalling series of murders in Afghanistan. By Ratbil Shamel and Sayed Rohulla Yasir
Aid to Refugees in Sicily

God's Squatters

Biagio Conte, Franciscan monk and son of a Sicilian building contractor, is creating a furor with his spectacular, altruistic actions for illegal immigrants in Sicily. Arian Fariborz visits him in his mission
Integration of Muslims in the US

Familiarity with Difference

North American Muslims are better integrated into their societies than are their European counterparts. What allows them to participate without assimilation is the "pluralistic" public sphere, says Marcia Pally
Interview with Abdelwahab Meddeb

In Search of the "Greek" Dimension of Islam

Abdelwahab Meddeb is one of North Africa's most important contemporary thinkers. Meddeb talked to Beat Stauffer in Tunis about the maladies of Islam and his own confession to an open, humanist Islam