Society

Interview with Turkish Islamic scholar Professor Mustafa Ozturk

"Religious groups need to be transparent"

Mustafa Ozturk, a professor specialising in "tafsir" – Koranic exegesis – at Istanbulʹs Marmara University was recently accused of blasphemy. Convinced that various Islamic groups seeking to influence Turkish politics are responsible, Ozturk is actively considering self-imposed exile. Interview by Ayse Karabat
By Ayşe Karabat
Non-fiction: Aladin El-Mafaalani's "Das Integrationsparadox"

Demanding a seat at the table

Unlike their parents and grandparents, the children and grandchildren of those who emigrated to Germany one or more generations ago now want a say in how things are done. In his new book "Das Integrationsparadox" (The Integration Paradox), Aladin El-Mafaalani explains why this leads to conflict. Daniel Bax read the book
By Daniel Bax
Sun Box solar energy project

A light for Gaza

A go-getting young Palestinian woman is currently causing an energy surge in Gaza. Her goal: to make solar panels affordable for poor families. Her motto: do your thing, regardless of what others think. Inge Gunther reports from Gaza
By Inge Günther
Pakistanʹs Kalash minority

At risk of extinction

The Kalash culture is on the brink of dying out. Today, Pakistan’s smallest ethnic group consists of only about 3,000 people. By Mahwish Gul
By Mahwish Gul
Interview with Egyptian activist Nawal El Saadawi

"We are a hundred years behind"

The Tunisian parliament is to consider a bill recently agreed by the cabinet that would grant equal inheritance rights to men and women – a proposal that has created a furore not only in Tunisia, but throughout the Middle East. Egyptian writer and activist Nawal El Saadawi describes the move as "positive" and believes that Egypt may finally be following in Tunisia's footsteps. Interview by Imane Mellouk
By Imane Mellouk
Obituary: Amos Oz

Peace campaigner and voice of reason

His works centred on life in the kibbutz and the history of Israel and earned him countless awards and honorary doctorates. Amos Oz, writer and peace activist, passed away on 28 December at the age of 79. Angelika Ditscheid looks back on his life
By Angelika Ditscheid
German–Iranian relations

How the Germans came to Iran

During the First World War, the German Empire allegedly attempted to incite Muslims to engage in a holy war against Russia and Great Britain. This common cliche is also often used to explain the long-standing relationship between Germany and Iran. Ali Sadrzadeh takes a closer look at German–Iranian relations 100 years ago
By Ali Sadrzadeh
Michael Muhammad Knight's "Muhammad: Forty Introductions"

An arba'in for non-Muslims

In his latest work, Michael Muhammad Knight – the enfant terrible of American Muslim writers – has sifted through the thousands upon thousands of Islamic hadiths to find 40 he feels best serve as an introduction to the Prophet Muhammad. Richard Marcus read the book
By Richard Marcus
Introducing the Key Concepts project

From religious tolerance to acceptance

A new project launched by the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg is working out key concepts from Judaism, Christianity and Islam with the aim of promoting interreligious dialogue. Presenting solid academic findings on similarities and differences, scholars will attempt to disarm agitators on all sides. Claudia Mende spoke to its director Professor Georges Tamer
By Claudia Mende
Interfaith initiatives from Morocco to Jerusalem

Dialogue by design

Landscape architecture is a field that grapples with social inequality and spatial complexity – two characteristics that Jerusalem embodies. Sarah Turkenicz compares the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem with the Akrich tree nursery in Morocco and argues for a more sympathetic design approach when dealing with interfaith relations
By Sarah Turkenicz
The language of migrants

Being a stranger in a second language

Kurdish writer and translator Nabaz Samad Ahmed reports on his ambivalence towards second languages as a result of his socialisation in Iraq
By Nabaz Samad Ahmed
Interview with Islamophobia researcher Linda Hyokki

"Europe has a problem with religion"

Researcher Linda Hyokki – herself a convert to Islam – discusses the causes of discrimination, ways of combatting Islamophobia, the divisive topic of veiling and how to debunk the common narrative. Interview by Marian Brehmer
By Marian Brehmer