Society
Topics
-
Syrians in GermanyThe need to find a voice
There are far more pressing issues for Syrians living in exile in Germany than the much-discussed topic of integration, writes Syrian author Tarek Azizeh. Getting organised and participating in public life is a top priority
-
In praise of fusion foodHummus with a twist
When a Kurd and a Turk open up a burger joint and an Israeli and a Palestinian start preparing German dishes with Middle Eastern spices, you know the food scene is in flux. In Berlin intercultural dialogue is increasingly a matter of what you eat. By Rachel Stern
-
Non-fiction: Omid Nouripour's "What to Do about Jihadists?"Every day counts
What attracts young people to IS? What can politicians do beyond calling for ever "tougher measures"? In "What to Do about Jihadists? A Policy Approach to the War on Terror", Omid Nouripour delivers an in-depth analysis of the current terrorist threat – and various potential solutions. Claudia Kramatschek read the book
-
Christianity and Islam in dialogueForget ″them and us″!
Interfaith dialogue can only succeed if its actors stop fomenting value judgements from history. Essay by Alexander Goerlach
-
Preventing Islamism in BelgiumShaking the terrorist image
Belgium has been fighting religious radicalisation since it became painfully obvious that Islamists were operating in the country. Art and humour have become tools in the battle of prevention. But how is this being received by the general public? Doris Pundy reports from Brussels
-
Non-fiction: ″Religious criticism around 1900″Middle Eastern philosophy's take on Islam
How is the relationship between science, philosophy and religion discussed in the Muslim world, beyond the well-known dictum that Islam rules its states and societies and therefore also determines its morality and aesthetics? A new series by Berlin-based publishers Klaus Schwarz addresses this question. By Sonja Hegasy
-
Obituary: dissident Ebrahim YazdiAn emblematic figure of Iranian politics bows out
The image of Ebrahim Yazdi, who passed away on 27 August aged 86, fittingly portrays the paradoxes of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Those involved in Tehran′s political scene of the last twenty years knew him as the opposition, an ′Islamic liberal′ and supporter of democratic reforms. By Marina Forti
-
Judaism in IranThe minority perspective: ″Jews and Muslims respect each other″
Iran is frequently at odds with Israel, despite having the second biggest Jewish community in the Middle East. For the director of Tehran's Jewish Committee, Siamek Morsadegh, that′s not necessarily a contradiction. Interview by Theresa Tropper
-
Interview with religious scholar Michael BlumeTurning away from Islam: Muslims beat a silent retreat
Is Germany home to a self-assured Islam and Muslims confident in their faith? It doesn't seem that way, says the religious scholar Michael Blume in interview with Christoph Hasselbach. Instead, Islam is in serious crisis
-
Women's rights in IranFarewell compulsory veiling? Time to go with the flow
After the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the Islamic regime began to force women to adopt Islamic dress. Resistance to the rule has never ceased, though it has changed. And suddenly compulsory veiling in the theocracy no longer seems to be on solid ground. An abridged version of the original article by Nasrin Bassiri
-
Islam in IndiaTriple talaq: Goodbye and good riddance
India′s Supreme Court recently declared the Islamic practice of "instant divorce" to be anti-constitutional. The judges argued that since ″triple talaq″ is not an integral part of the Muslim faith, it is not subject to protection under the principle of religious freedom. Ronald Meinardus reports from New Delhi
-
Gaza and the West BankPress freedom in Palestine: Condemned to self-censor
In the Palestinian Autonomous Territories, Palestinian journalists are being used as bargaining chips in the power struggle between Hamas and Fatah. The scope for free and independent reporting is becoming noticeably smaller. By Inge Gunther