Society

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
Arab Human Development Report 2005

Encouraging a Non-Ideological Debate

The fourth and final scheduled Arab Human Development Report was now published; it carries the subtitle "Towards the Rise of Women in the Arab World". The report offers a historical overview of the women's movement in the Arab world, writes Sonja Hegasy
Commentary Peter Philipp

There is no "Clash of Civilisations"

In spite of all arguments to the contrary, there is no "Clash of Civilisations." At least there is none where the civilisations live together, as they do, for example, in Europe. A commentary by Peter Philipp
Women's Rights in Iran

Legal Counseling in Cases of Divorce and Manslaughter

According to Iranian law, women do not have the same rights as men in many cases. The Iranian women's organization RAAHI offers women legal counseling, especially in cases of divorce or murder charges. Jasmin Tiefensee visited the organization in Tehran
Children's Non-Fiction "God is called Allah"

The Diversity of the Islamic Cultural Community

The children's non-fiction book "God is called Allah" represents an attempt to give young people an unprejudiced introduction to Islamic life. Ariana Mirza has read and reviewed the book for Qantara.de
German Development Aid Project in Yemen

Tribal Warriors Become Tour Guides

In the Marib area of Yemen, German development aid is helping to turn members of rival clans into archaeological tour guides. The commitment of the sons to the new project is helping to overcome the conflicts of their fathers. By Susanne Sporrer