Society

Interview with Quranet founder Ofer Grosbard

Parenting according to the Koran

At the suggestion of his Arab students, Israeli psychologist Ofer Grosbard created the project "Quranet", which uses texts from the Koran to solve educational problems in schools and families. More than ten years after its inception, the project is now attracting attention in the Arab world. Interview by Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
First Arabic website for parents of disabled children

"Habaybna" – for advice, community and inclusion

Reem Al Farangi from Gaza, mother to two children with autism, has created the first Arabic-language website for the parents of disabled children. "Habaybna" provides important information about early recognition, therapies and self-help – and connects parents from across the region. Claudia Mende reports from Amman
By Claudia Mende
The Istanbul Canal project

Erdogan's dream, Istanbul's nightmare

Turkey's President Erdogan wants to create a second Bosphorus. The cost to the economy and environment would be enormous – and that's why Istanbul's mayor is attempting to stop the plan. A bitter power struggle is raging. By Daniel Derya Bellut
By Daniel Derya Bellut
Interview with Nihad Salim Qoja

“Iranian hegemony in Iraq is very strong”

For 12 years, Nihad Salim Qoja was the mayor of Erbil, capital of the autonomous Kurdish regions of Iraq. Christopher Resch spoke to the local politician in Erbil about the future of his city and the current political problems in Iraq
By Christopher Resch
Interview with environmental expert Tarik M. Quadir

"If we don’t pull together to save the earth, we will ‘sink’ together"

Taking the Fridays for Future movement as his starting point, Muslim environmental expert Tarik Quadir talks to Marian Brehmer about the connections between Islam and environmental protection – and the attitude Islamic countries need to adopt in countering climate change
By Marian Brehmer
Women's rights in Jordan

The women of Dar Amneh

In Jordan, members of civil society have set up the first shelter for women who are under threat of death from their own families. For one year now, such women have been able to turn to Dar Amneh for help and support. A report by Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
Islam in Germany

Anna, a young woman seeking love and Allah

Elke Muller is fighting for her daughter Anna, who fell in love with a young Afghan and converted to Islam. The mother spoke to Esther Felden about feeling alienated and her fear that Anna might become radicalised
By Esther Felden
Turkey's Aramean Christians

Where they speak Jesus' language

There are only a few thousand Aramean Christians left in south eastern Anatolia. And they are intent on preserving their ancient culture dating back one-and-a-half millennia. Marian Brehmer visits a community marked by exile, flight…and eventual return to the homeland
By Marian Brehmer
Christmas in Lebanon

Revolution under the Christmas tree

Beirut usually sparkles and dazzles at Christmas time. This year, marked by major protests, however, everything has been turned on its head: there is a distinct lack of Christmas in Beirut, while in Tripoli, a Christmas tree has been erected for the first time ever on the main square, Sahat an-Nour. Hanna Resch reports from Lebanon
By Hanna Resch
Interview with James Morris

Ibn Arabi's vision for a fully human global civilisation

Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi (1165-1240) is one of the most influential Arab philosophers and mystics. James Morris, Professor of Islamic Theology at Boston College, explains why his writings are still popular and why, today, they give the most productive answer to fundamentalist approaches in Islam. Interview by Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
Suicide on the rise in Tunisia

A last desperate stand

Tunisia is considered a paragon of the Arab Spring. Despite democratic reforms, however, a mood of political frustration and economic despair still prevails, particularly among young people. Since 2011 the country has seen an increase in the number of suicides – an act some see as a form of political protest. By Hannah El-Hitami
By Hannah El-Hitami
Uighur activist Ilham Tohti awarded EU Sakharov prize 2019

"His goal was always to promote dialogue"

Imprisoned Uighur human rights activist Ilham Tohti has been awarded the Sakharov prize 2019 for human rights by the EU Parliament. His daughter Jewher Ilham, who lives in the U.S., will receive the prize on his behalf and spoke to Max Sander ahead of the ceremony
By Max Zander