Society

After the Islamist attacks in France and Austria

"Placing Muslims under general suspicion is not the solution"

Rather than suspecting Muslims in general, we need to co-operate more with Islamic scholars, Muslim congregations and associations, writes Muhammad Sameer Murtaza in his commentary, invoking the power of selfless love – charity – that unites Christians, Jews and Muslims
By Muhammad Sameer Murtaza
Jews, Christians and Muslims

"We are in dire need of a culture of dialogue"

Berlin's "House of One" project, instigated by Jews, Christians and Muslims, will finally begin to take physical shape in early 2021, following a lengthy period of preparation. With the terrorist attack in Vienna fresh in their minds, the representatives of the three world religions feel uniquely challenged. By Christoph Strack
By Christoph Strack
Relgions for Peace in Lindau

"Women are the ones who ensure religion survives"

Organised by interfaith NGO Religions for Peace, an international conference in Lindau on Lake Constance is dealing with the peace-building role of women inspired by the faith of their respective religions. Some 600 participants from around the world meet virtually to discuss the central challenges of our time. By Christoph Strack
By Christoph Strack
COVID-19 and fake news in the Middle East

Arabs find comfort in coronavirus conspiracy theories

In the Arab region, fake news relating to COVID-19 claims that people who have been cured "convert to Islam" or that "Muslims are immune" to the disease. Long-established conspiracy theories have a bearing on the rumours. Another contributing factor is that people have no faith in the authorities. By Mona Naggar
By Mona Naggar
Terrorist attack on Nice church

French Muslims grieve following another Islamist outrage

Muslims in Nice condemn the attack on the Basilica of Notre Dame. At the same time, there is great frustration at the readiness of some to equate the perpetrator with the Muslim community in general, which mourns the attack as much as the rest of France. By Marina Strauß
By Marina Strauß
Interview with Melisa Erkurt on her book "Generation haram"

"Teachers must be taught not to become racists in class"

Melisa Erkurt came to Austria from Bosnia as a child with her parents. As a journalist, she now writes about education, which is also the subject of her latest book “Generation haram”, which focuses on education’s so-called losers. Interview by Schayan Riaz
By Schayan Riaz
France's freedom of speech

Turkey hits at 'Crusades' against Islam in cartoons row

Turkey’s president said on Wednesday that Western countries mocking Islam wanted to "relaunch the Crusades", heightening a confrontation with France over cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad that have stirred anger in Muslim-majority countries. Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay report
By Tuvan Gumrukcu & Ece Toksabay
France, Turkey and the Caucasus

French Armenians plead for Nagorno-Karabakh intervention

The Armenian diaspora in France – the largest in Western Europe – is urging the country to do more to support Yerevan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. But Paris is, so far, acting with restraint. Lisa Louis reports
By Lisa Louis
Mass expulsions to Niger

Algeria abandons thousands of migrants in the desert

Now that the COVID-19 crisis in Algeria has eased significantly, Algerian authorities are once again cracking down on migrants with extreme severity, expelling thousands of people to Niger in a blatant violation of international law. By Sofian Philip Naceur
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Interview with Moroccan Islamic feminist Asma Lamrabet

Emancipation through a new reading of the Koran

Moroccan physician and author Asma Lamrabet is one of the foremost representatives of Islamic feminism in North Africa. She urges Arab women to follow their own path, distinct from Western feminism, in order to liberate themselves from male paternalism. Claudia Mende spoke to her in Rabat
By Claudia Mende
Environmental protection in Kashmir

Working in the shadow of violence and climate change

Illegal construction, timber smuggling and a decades-long conflict have left their mark on the forests of Kashmir. But locals are stepping in to protect the unique nature of their home in the Himalayas. By Furkan Latif Khan
By Furkan Latif Khan
Freedom of speech in the Middle East

Arabs follow fake news, while the dream of progress dies

In the Arab world, freedom of opinion collides with a societal juggernaut that silences imagination with remarkable efficiency. Egyptian author and novelist Khaled al-Khamissi describes the mechanisms of repression in Arab society
By Khaled al-Khamissi