Society

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
Muhammad Ali

An Icon of America's Counterculture

One of the world's most famous converts to Islam, Muhammad Ali continues to inspire us all at the age of 65. Robert Misik reminisces on the life of the greatest boxer of all time
AIDS Information Campaigns in Indonesia

With Full Support of the Sharia Council

In societies where sex before marriage is absolutely taboo, information campaigns about HIV/AIDS are difficult to handle – like in Indonesia, for example. But with the help of Muslim clerics, campaigns can address the issues in a sensitive way, as Vidi-Athena Legowo reports from Aceh
Ayaan Hirsi Ali

The Only Real Muslim

The autobiography of Ayaan Hirsi Ali reveals how the Dutch politician stumbled from Islamic to Western fundamentalism. Daniel Bax has read it
Zafer Şenocak

Translating Islam

How can Muslim societies shake off their intellectual paralysis and inject a new momentum and vitality into Islamic thought, allowing it to engage in a meaningful way with the contemporary world, asks Turkish-born writer and social critic Zafer Şenocak
Media and Freedom of Speech in Iraq

From Dictatorship of Opinion to Polarisation

The situation for the Iraqi media changed completely after the fall of the Ba'athist regime. Iraqi journalist Ahmad al-Saadawi outlines the latest developments
Islamic Personal Law in India

Political Mobilisations along Religious Lines?

India's personal laws are based on religious affiliation, granting special rights to the country's Muslims. Nadja-Christina Schneider discusses religious minority rights and secular modernisation on the subcontinent
Interview with Mahsa Shekarloo

Feminist Online Magazine Challenges Stereotypes of Iranian Women

With her online magazine Badjens, Tehran-based feminist activist Mahsa Shekarloo aims to provide a platform for women in Iran. But www.badjens.com also tries to deconstruct the prevalent stereotype of Iranian women in the West.
Youth in Iran

The Conformist Generation

Iranian youth are better educated than ever these days. But in the Islamic Republic, only those with connections to the regime have a promising future, as journalist Kambiz Tavana reports from Tehran