Society

September 11

Book Casts Terrorist in Unexpected Light

A new book by a U.S. journalist on Mohammed Atta, allegedly the pilot of the first plane that flew into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, reveals a man hooked on drugs and alcohol while living in Florida.
UNESCO Peace Prize

Award for Cardinal Etchegaray and Mufti Ceric

The Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mustafa Ceric and the Roman Catholic Cardinal Roger Etchegaray were chosen as laureates of the 2003 UNESCO Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize.
Asia

Women in Inherited Positions of Power

From Indira Ghandi to the Indonesian head of state Megawati, in Asia many women play leading roles in politics. Does this mean that women have more political power in Asia than in other countries? Sybille Golte doubts this is the case.
Germany

Islam on the Curriculum

Until now, only Koran schools have offered lessons in the Islamic religion to Muslim children in Germany. Now, pilot programmes are to be carried out at German schools, too. Max Bönnemann reports
Spain

On the Edge of Society

Since the terrorist attacks in Madrid, many Moroccans resident in Spain are fearful of exclusion, marginalisation and racist attacks. Already, they often feel shunned and unwanted, like second-class citizens. Bettina Ambach reports from Madrid.
Germany

Giving the Headscarf a Makeover

Even as the headscarf row simmers in Germany, a Berlin Muslim has designed colorful alternative headgear that serves the purpose of a traditional hijab but looks like anything but. Finding takers is a problem. Sonia Phalnikar reports
Position

Against the Relativism of the Headscarf Debate!

Lale Akgün, member of the Bundestag for the Social Democrats (SPD), criticises the political exploitation of the headscarf in Germany by Islamist associations that would like to see religious/cultural differences taking precedence over basic democratic rights.
Germany

Al-Qaida and the Courts

A German court has decided to grant the only person convicted in connection to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks a retrial. The decision illustrates the difficulty Western courts are having in putting suspected terrorists behind bars.
Sports

A Brazilian in Qatar

Brazilian soccer player Ailton, who plays in the German Bundesliga, will take on Qatari citizenship to fulfill his dream of playing for a national team.
Afghanistan

Women Journalists Are Making Advances

During the reign of the Taliban, the public media were banned from everyday life. But since the overthrow of the Taliban, the media landscape in Afghanistan has perked up again. A report by Shahram Ahadi
U.S.-Arab Relations

TV Channel Aims to Tackle Arab Resentment

Al Hurra, a U.S.-funded Arabic-language satellite television station has taken to the airwaves to democratize the Arab world and serve as a counterweight to Al Jazeera. But will it work?
Netherlands

Dutch Parliament Votes to Remove Asylum Seekers

The Dutch parliament has now voted to remove more than 26,000 asylum seekers within three years. The move reflects a growing trend in restrictive asylum policies across Europe. Kristine Ziwica reports