Society

Islamic debate about human rights

The erroneous 'cultural distinction'

Syrian writer Morris Ayek is critical of those who claim that when it comes to human rights, Islamic countries are "culturally distinct" from the rest of the world. In his opinion, this discourse directly contradicts the universality of Islamic values
By Morris Ayek
Bill 62 – Quebec′s burka ban

Veiled bigotry

On 18 October the Canadian province of Quebec passed new legislation forbidding a person to be veiled when delivering or receiving a public service. Bill 62, dubbed the "state religious neutrality law″, has been widely condemned by civil rights lawyers, Muslim associations and public service unions. By Richard Marcus
By Richard Marcus
Reformation Day and Islam in Germany

A chorus of convictions

Five hundred years after the posting of Martin Luther's theses, Germany remains a predominantly Christian nation. But Islam is also part of the fabric of Germany – if for no other reason than the three-and-a-half-million Muslims who live here and have the right, thanks to the constitution, to practise their faith freely. By Alexander Goerlach
By Alexander Görlach
Erdogan′s Turkey

Eroding Ataturk's legacy

On 18 October, the Turkish parliament approved a controversial bill that in future will allow Islamic muftis to register weddings. Critics fear that this will erode the civil rights of women and expose more girls to the dangers of underage marriage. Ylenia Gostoli reports from Turkey
By Ylenia Gostoli
Book review: Ronen Steinke′s ″Der Muslim und die Judin″

Mohammed Helmy, ′Righteous among the Nations′

In "Der Muslim und die Judin" (The Muslim and the Jew), Ronen Steinke tracks down the story of the Egyptian doctor Mohammed Helmy, who saved the Jewish woman Anna Boros from deportation. The author recounts a daring rescue in the midst of Nazi Germany and examines the often ambivalent relations between Jews and Muslims. Ozan Zakariya Keskinkilic read the book
By Ozan Zakariya Keskinkilic
Morocco's blighted Rif region

So little to do – so much time

That the younger generation in northern Morocco are still demonstrating is hardly surprising. Lacking in infrastructure, the Rif region has been economically disadvantaged for years. The area is simply beset with problems. An analysis by Susanne Kaiser
By Susanne Kaiser
Syrians in Germany

The 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
By Tarek Azizeh
In praise of fusion food

Hummus 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
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
By Claudia Kramatschek
Christianity and Islam in dialogue

Forget ″them and us″!

Interfaith dialogue can only succeed if its actors stop fomenting value judgements from history. Essay by Alexander Goerlach
By Alexander Görlach
Preventing Islamism in Belgium

Shaking 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
By Doris Pundy
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
By Sonja Hegasy