Society

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
"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
Combatting Salafist radicalisation in Germany

Under scrutiny

Media representatives and academics would do well not to pre-judge the German security services′ Salafism prevention initiatives. Hazim Fouad, Islamic studies expert for the Senator for Home Affairs in Bremen, submits his response to the arguments proposed by Salafism researcher Nina Kasehage
By Hazim Fouad
Women in Pakistan

Challenging the patriarchy

In rural Pakistan justice is administered on an ad-hoc basis. Men make the decisions and women can sometimes face brutal treatment. Now a group of them are fighting back. Report from the Swat Valley by Naila Inayat and Jennifer Collins
By Naila Inayat, Jennifer Collins
Islam, Judaism, Christianity and Donald Trump

So much cotton candy

This week U.S. President Donald Trump conducted a whistle-stop tour of three world religions, visiting Saudi Arabia, Israel and the Vatican within six days. Despite being spared any major diplomatic gaffs, the rest of the world has little reason to rejoice. Commentary by Alexander Görlach
By Alexander Görlach