Society

Reza Aslan's "No God but God"

Demonstrating the Modernity of Islam

Reza Aslan is an Iranian-American writer whose first book, 'No God but God', met with widespread acclaim. In her review for Qantara.de, Helena Sabbagh praises Aslan's combination of academic knowledge and an easy-to-read tone
Sufism

A Soft Form of Islam?

Sufism, Islamic mysticism, enjoys great popularity in the West, including in Germany. One of the reasons for this is that Sufism seems far removed from orthodox Islam. This is only half right, as Inga Gebauer discovers
Bosnian Muslims in Germany

Everyday Euro-Islam

The relationship between the Muslim minority and the rest of German society is often dominated by mistrust and ignorance. And that's just what Bosnian Muslims in Germany want to break down – as go-betweens between the religions. Zoran Arbutina reports
Islam in Bosnia and Herzegovina

"I Am a Muslim - Don't Panic!"

Ten years after the end of the war, young Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina have found the courage to try and make things happen. But the West is squandering a great opportunity to see Bosnian-style Islam as both a bridge between East and West and a model for Europe. Tobias Asmuth reports from Sarajevo
Outcome of the Second German Conference on Islam

Tough Dialogue

In her essay, migration researcher Ülger Polat says that until such time as there is a willingness in German society to truly and comprehensively recognise Islam, the German Conference on Islam will continue to exist in a vacuum
Commentary: Ursula Spuler-Stegemann

"The Inhibitions of Islamic Organisations in Germany Continue to Fall"

The Coordination Council of Muslims in Germany was established just in time for the second Islam Conference. Ursula Spuler-Stegemann, professor of Islamic Studies, comments on the problematic representation and composition of the Council
Young People in the Arab World

A Blank Space on the Academic Map

A new anthology outlining the current status of research into young people in the Arab world concludes that neither western nor Arab scholars have comprehensive and meaningful research material to work with. Julia Gerlach reports
Christians in Morocco

"Why Don't You Pray in the Mosque?"

Native Christians in Morocco are often met with skepticism. European Christians, on the other hand, enjoy full religious freedom. Thilo Guschas reports on the small minority
Islam and Development Cooperation

Environmental Protection through the Koran?

Governmental and non-governmental development aid organizations must define the values and goals they share with Muslim partners. But how important is it to refer to Islam in development projects in order to guarantee success? By Martina Sabra
Interview with Erhard Brunn

Christianity and Islam as Factors in Development Cooperation

To optimize the success of development aid projects, German development aid initiatives have developed concepts that take Islam into account as a cultural factor. Claudia Mende asks expert Erhard Brunn about the details
Interview with Hasan Karaca

Koran Verses in German and Turkish

Many imams who preach in Germany don't speak German – their native language is Turkish. Ariana Mirza talked to Hasan Karaca, the German representative of the Turkish Office of Religious Affairs, Diyanet, about possible solutions
Islam and Enlightenment

Of Culture Clash and Constitution

A spurious polarity has emerged from the current debate on Islam: it places the Enlightenment on one side, the Muslims on the other. Evidently a case of historical amnesia. By Zafer Şenocak