Society

Sunnis in Iran

The Zahedan network

Zahedan, the capital of Sistan and Balochistan Province, is one of the few Iranian cities with a Sunni majority population. Here, Sunnis can still practise their faith in relative freedom. Recently, however, the city has become a focus for radical Sunni groups. Philipp Breu reports from Zahedan
By Philipp Breu
Islamic State′s destruction of Mosul

Razed to the ground

Islamic State recently blew up Mosul′s landmark Al-Nuri mosque. The extent of the damage is only likely to be fully revealed when the jihadists are finally driven out of the city. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Berlin′s new mosque

Liberal Islam is a chimaera

The hostile reactions to the opening of a "liberal mosque" in Berlin are no great surprise. They are not, however, evidence that Islam is incapable of reform, says Loay Mudhoon
By Loay Mudhoon
DITIB Central Mosque in Cologne

A place to pray, a place to meet

For many Muslims in western Germany, a dream has finally come true. Years behind schedule, the Central Mosque in Cologne finally opened its doors in the middle of Ramadan. The faithful can now pray there every day. Ulrike Hummel went along to see it
By Ulrike Hummel
Negotiating with the Taliban for girls′ education

Treading carefully

More than 16 years after the fall of their government, the Taliban say they are willing to allow girls to study, but residents on the ground say the group has done little, if anything, to re-open girls′ schools in areas under their control. Ali M. Latifi reports from Afghanistan
By Ali M. Latifi
Controversial documentary on anti-Semitism

"Bibi" TV

An anti-Semitism documentary that aired recently on the German public channel ARD has come under fire for distorting the truth. To date, the ensuing debate has focused on censorship in public television broadcasting, poor communication and a commitment from the BILD tabloid newspaper to investigate the matter. But little attention has been paid to the nub of the issue: the film and its weaknesses. Commentary by Stefan Buchen
By Stefan Buchen
Interview with Islamic studies scholar Armina Omerika

"Muslims need new ways to approach their religious heritage"

The German Evangelical Church′s relationship with Luther shows Muslims that it′s possible to find and develop a way of engaging critically with your own religious tradition, says Islamic studies scholar Armina Omerika in interview with Canan Topcu
By Canan Topçu
The Sunni-Shia debate

For clarity′s sake

It has been said that ignorance is the fuel of animosity. Indeed, over the years the historical rift between Sunnis and Shias, heightened by various misconceptions relating to a number of key Shia tenets, has served to exacerbate existing tensions in the Middle East. In his article, Mohamed Yosri attempts to de-bunk some of the myths
By Mohamed Yosri
"Stranded. Refugees between Syria and Europe"

Forever in transit

For his reportage "Stranded. Refugees Between Syria and Europe" the writer Tayfun Guttstadt travelled to the cities of Turkey and along the Turkish-Syrian border. In conversation with Sonja Galler, he talks about the precarious situation faced by Syrian refugees, their legal status and Turkey′s lack of any kind of integration concept
By Sonja Galler
Politics of remembrance

Cracks in the edifice?

Are those who remember past atrocities protected from committing the same mistakes? Germany has spent over 40 years addressing its past, yet even there recent events on the global stage have seen populist prejudices enter mainstream debate. By Sonja Hegasy
By Sonja Hegasy
Daughters and Sons of Gastarbeiters writers′ collective

"When I go to Germany, I will buy a red tractor"

Daughters and Sons of Gastarbeiters is a writers′ collective made up of children of the first generation of "Gastarbeiter" (guest workers). Their short stories tell of their personal experiences of migration to Germany, illuminating a hitherto neglected part of German history. By Ceyda Nurtsch
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Muslim talaq law in India

Divorce by email

India's Supreme Court is currently considering the Muslim practice of instant divorce. The family law allows Muslim men to end their marriages by simply repeating the word "talaq" (Arabic for divorce) three times. But there is growing opposition to the practice. Ronald Meinardus reports from New Delhi
By Ronald Meinardus