Society

Interview with Turkish human rights lawyer Canan Arin

"Women in Turkey are fighting to keep their rights"

As 1 July approaches, the date when Turkey will officially pull out of the Istanbul Convention on violence against women, Qantara.de speaks to Canan Arin, one of the co-founders and most well-known voices of the Turkish feminist movement. Interview by Ceyda Nurtsch
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Pride Month 2021

Malaysia seeks stricter sharia laws for "promoting LGBT lifestyle"

A Malaysian government taskforce has proposed amendments to sharia law that would allow action to be taken against social media users for insulting Islam and "promoting the LGBT lifestyle"
Middle East conflict impacts soccer

Palestine's football dreams take a battering

When it comes to talent, Palestine may well be able to compete with other football teams in the region, but growth and development are hampered by the situation in the Palestinian territories. The explosion of violence between Israel and Hamas in May seriously disrupted preparations for the World Cup qualifiers. John Duerden reports
By John Duerden
College of Islam opens in Osnabruck

Germany finally gets its own "home-grown" imams

On 15 June, the "Islamkolleg" in Osnabruck officially launched its new training programme for imams in German. The college is intended to prepare Islamic theologians for their work in mosque communities and thus further the integration of Muslims in Germany. By Christoph Strack
By Christoph Strack
Ten years after the Arab Spring

Arab women's rights, a genuine lifestyle revolution?

Arab women played a leading role in the protest movement of 2011. Since then, ongoing social transformation has had a considerable impact on their lives. What is their assessment of the situation ten years on? Claudia Mende spoke to women from Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco
By Claudia Mende
COVID-19 fallout in Morocco

Tangiers' economic boom – few winners and many losers

Business in the Moroccan city of Tangiers is booming due to its location at the nexus of global trade routes. But many locals are failing to reap the benefits. What they crave most is the resumption of international tourism and the attendant influx of revenue. Stefanie Claudia Muller reports from Tangiers
By Stefanie Claudia Müller
BBC Radio 4

Covering Edward Said – 40 years of Islam, media and the West

Author and columnist Nesrine Malik explores the legacy of Edward Said's "Covering Islam", published forty years ago – and his views on the relationship between Islam and the media.
Co-existence and the Middle East conflict

Jews and Muslims find common ground in small-town Germany

An unusual organisation brings Jews and Muslims together to fight hate and promote dialogue. In the small central German city of Marburg they have been jointly calling for an end to the violence in the Middle East. Oliver Pieper reports
By Oliver Pieper
Dialogue of religions

House of One: Berlin lays cornerstone for religious understanding

Last week, in the heart of Berlin, a group of Christians, Jews and Muslims laid the foundation stone for a joint house of worship that will feature a church, a synagogue and a mosque. Those involved have high expectations for the project: "the idea is bigger than the building". By Christoph Strack
By Christoph Strack
Interview with Prof Timothy Brennan

Why Edward Said still matters

Professor Timothy Brennan's "Places of Mind: A Life of Edward Said" is a detailed biography of one of the most important intellectuals of the twentieth century, taking us on a journey from Edward Said's childhood in the Middle East to his public and academic life in the United States. In this interview with Tugrul von Mende, Brennan describes the challenges of writing about the many different aspects of Edward Said's life
By Tugrul von Mende
Life coaching for Muslims

Enhanced success in this life and the next

Reuf Jasarevic is the founder of "Erfolgreich & Muslim" (Successful & Muslim), the first life coaching platform for German-speaking Muslims. The 37-year-old trainer supports followers of Islam in their efforts to harmonise the spiritual and practical aspects of their everyday lives. By Said Rezek
By Said Rezek
The legacy of Lebanon's Lokman Slim

"His work lives on in all of us"

German filmmaker Monika Borgmann, widow of slain Lebanese activist Lokman Slim, is continuing the work they began together in Lebanon. By Lea Bartels
By Lea Bartels