Society

The Middle East Conflict on PC

Shooting Baruch Goldstein, Carpet Bombing Beirut

The relentless brutality of the Middle East conflict has inspired both sides to produce video games based on actual events. Hezbollah's computer and Internet division is eager to catch up on US and Israeli expertise. Alfred Hackensberger reports
Views of Europe from a Combative Intellectual

Ahmad Faris al-Shidyaq's Literary Investigations

Among the many Arab intellectuals who travelled through Europe in the 19th century, Ahmad Faris al-Shidyaq stands out as a dazzling character. He was a brilliant intellectual, and he was a combative spirit. A portrait by Barbara Winckler
Muslims, Islam and the Media

Taking the Initiative against Scare Scenarios

The media and politicians are having trouble drawing the line between Islam, Islamism, and extremism due to insufficient knowledge and clichés. Therefore we need the Muslim community to isolate radical Islamists, says Sabine Schiffer
In the Prison of Social Poverty

Pakistanis in Britain

Most of the Pakistanis now living in Britain moved to Britain in the 1950s. Their hopes, unlike those of the Indians, were to be disappointed. They feel shut out and rejected, not just by the white working class, but also by Hindus and Sikhs. Bettina Schulz reports
Britain's Muslim Community

"I Feel Unsafe these Days"

There's been a string of retaliations against British Muslims following the bomb blasts in London. Don Macgillivray looks at how British Muslims are coming under increasing pressure in the aftermath of the bombings.
Intercultural Center in Libanon

Dar Assalam – The House of Peace

Ten years ago a unique intercultural center was founded in the Lebanese Shuf Mountain. Individual travelers and groups are invited there to learn about the postwar realities of Lebanon or to learn Arabic.
By Martina Sabra
Afghan Universities

Starting from Scratch

One of the many things that need rebuilding in Afghanistan is university education for its future leaders. Since 2002 the German Academic Exchange Service has co-ordinated an aid programme by German universities. Sabine Ripperberg reports
Muslims in Germany

Dangerous Ignorance

Far too little research has been done on the attitudes of Muslims toward the social and political system in Germany. This ignorance fuels conspiracy theories on "the Muslims" and terror. A commentary by Eberhard Seidel
Female Suicides in Afghanistan

The Most Extreme Form of Protest

Hundreds of women commit suicide in Afghanistan every year. Many of them take their own lives to escape unbearable domestic conditions that have remained virtually unchanged since the end of the Taliban regime. Majed Malek reports
Private Universities in Egypt

Education as Export Commodity

Gold-diggers from all corners of the earth appear to be streaming to the Nile. Private universities are a lucrative business in Egypt and are springing up like mushrooms. A report by Frederik Richter
"Baghdad Stories"

How Children See War

A few weeks after the end of the war in Iraq, journalist Philipp Abresch travelled to Baghdad and gave cameras to Iraqi children and young people. Innumerable photos from the crisis-torn region are focusing on the civilian population.
By Anna Bilger
Interview Khaled Choukat

"The Murder of van Gogh Was a Real Catastrophe for Us"

If Theo van Gogh's murderer had attended film school, he would have responded to the film "Submission" in a civilized manner, says Khaled Choukat, director of the Arab Film Festival and delegate for the Greens Party in the Rotterdam parliament.