Society

Interview with Nikola Tietze

Franco-German Perspectives

The sociologist Nikola Tietze has been studying forms of Muslim identity in Germany and France. Susan Javad spoke to her about the different ways of approaching Islam in the two countries
Islam and Modernity

Countering the Rise of Mistrust

Only when fighting words like Islamophobia and Islamofascism are avoided can the issue of Islam and modernity be studied and debated in an unbiased way, argues Claus Leggewie
Cultural Dialogue with the Islamic World

"There Is No Alternative to Intensive Exchange"

European-Islamic cultural dialogue has been made a key weapon in the arsenal of security policy measures. But culture, art, and education lose their inherent strength when they are used as mere tools to create security and solve conflicts, argues Johannes Ebert
The Israeli-Palestinian Radio Station "All for Peace"

Promoting Mideast Dialogue on the Airwaves

The idea of a radio station broadcast in both Hebrew and Arabic is without precedence in the Middle East. But this is exactly what a station in Jerusalem has been doing in recent weeks. Joseph Croitoru reports
Documentary "Bridge over the Wadi"

Jewish and Arab Children Attending the Same School

Sometimes it is children who show adults how simple understanding between Israelis and Arabs can be. The documentary "Bridge over the Wadi" reveals the ups and downs of a joint Arab-Israeli school project. Petra Tabeling reports
Psychotherapy in Kabul

Counseling for Traumatized Afghans

After 20 years of war, many Afghans are desperately in need of psychotherapy. A new approach aims to address the needs of a deeply traumatized nation, as Martin Gerner reports
Afghanistan

Women's Shelters

Two years after the fall of the Taliban, the situation of women in Afghanistan hardly shows any improvement. In an effort to change this, the German aid organization "medica mondiale" is now extending its activities out into the provinces. Janine Albrecht reports
Kofi Annan

Cartoons Have the Power to Inform, and to Offend

In early 2006, a set of cartoons caused violent global protest and outrage. Now, a year later, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan takes a look at freedom of expression and respect for the beliefs and feelings of others, and weighs the case
Headscarf Ban in German Schools

An Outcry among the Islamic Community

The highest court in the southern German state of Bavaria recently decided that the state did not overstep its authority by banning Muslim teachers from wearing headscarves in the classroom. Susan Killick has the background
150th Anniversary of Evangelical Church in Beirut

Weathering Wars and Crises

Despite the summer war, the Evangelical Church in Beirut celebrated its 150th anniversary last year. The church was founded the Prussian state church in 1856. Martina Waiblinger takes a look at its eventful history
Bethlehem

"Christianity Is Slowly Dying"

The famous Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem has in recent times been the scene of conflicts between the state of Israel and the Palestinians. These conflicts have also had their effect on the Christian community. Andy Martin reports
"Honour Killings"

The Father as Murderer

Time and again, young women in Islamic countries are the victims of so-called "honour killings". Now, an inter-denominational initiative in Beirut is attempting to prevent such murders. Christina Förch reports