Society

Headscarf Fashion

Creative Variations on the Veil Theme

Fashion designer Susanne Kuemper established the Department of Fashion at Helwan University in Cairo. According to her, the most daring design ideas often come from her most strictly religious students. Ute Meinel reports
Morocco

World-Leading Solar Energy Nation

Morocco has made itself one of the two biggest users of solar-generated electricity in the world. Not because it's the most environmentally-friendly solution but because it's the cheapest. John Laurenson reports
Germany

A Multicultural Home for the Elderly

Forty years ago the first "guest workers" came to Germany. This generation of immigrants has now gotten older. German homes for the elderly are unprepared for this aging population of immigrants. Except for one, reports Silke Ballweg.
Syria

"Difference Is Wealth"

The Tharwa Project is an independent initiative that seeks to foster better relations between minority groups and the majority population across the Arab World. Kristin Helberg interviewed Tharwa coordinator Ammar Abdulhamid in Damascus
Germany

Women Empowerment in the Islamic World

The German Foreign Ministry invited delegations from 20 Muslim countries to a conference dealing with women empowerment in the Islamic world. Hardy Graupner reports from Berlin
Germany

Bringing Mosques Out in the Open

Most Muslims in Germany pray in mosques that are hidden from view in old factory buildings and basements. The Muslim community would like that to change, but projects to build traditional mosques are often controversial. By Deanne Corbett
Germany

The Integration of Death

Integration for Germany's growing Muslim population does not stop at death's door as undertakers and city officials are learning. Sabina Casagrande visited a cemetery where all graves face Mecca.
Germany/Iraq

Torture Photos Traumatize Refugees

Officials at German centers for the treatment of torture victims say the graphic photographs of Iraqi prisoner abuse have triggered painful memories among their patients, most of them asylum-seekers. By Sonia Phalnikar
Malaysia

"Progressive Style of Islam is Practical"

This year's general election has highlighted Malaysia's acceptance of the ruling party's so-called "progressive" style of Islam. The election went ahead without incident, showing that the country's religious mix of Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism can be stomached. Ben Fajzullin reports from Langkawi
Germany

When Faith is More Important than School

German schools are increasingly grappling with cases of Muslim girls pushing for exemption from co-ed swimming and sports on religious grounds, sorely testing the country's ability to integrate its Muslim population.
Interview

Anti-Semitism in the EU

According to a study commissioned by the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC), anti-Semitic manifestations increased in five European countries in the years 2002 and 2003. Igal Avidan talks with EUMC director Beate Winkler about the study’s findings and recommendations.
Media

Controlling the Power of the Picture

Violent images from conflict regions such as Iraq pose a dilemma for news organizations: Should they show graphic footage or edit reports for good taste? Is it a case of cultural differences or are other agendas at work?