Society

Islam in Greece

A mosque for Athens

Until now, Muslims living in the Greek capital have had to pray on private premises. The first official mosque is due to open in May – after decades of stalling tactics by the Orthodox Christian nation. Mey Dudin reports from Athens
By Mey Dudin
Copenhagen′s mosque led by women

When the muezzina calls

Friday prayers are regularly held in Europe′s first female-led mosque. In a further innovative step, a new Islamic academy for the training of female imams for Denmark is about to open its doors. Ulrike Hummel reports from Copenhagen
By Ulrike Hummel
Interview with the Lebanese journalist Hazem Saghieh

More lapdog than watchdog

Rather than acting as a counterweight to the ruling class, the press across the Arab world serves the interests of oligarchs, despots and governments, says Hazem Saghieh. In interview with Kai Schnier, the Lebanese author and journalist explains why he censors himself and why he believes that journalism from Rabat to Riyadh will never be a catalyst for political change
By Kai Schnier
Algeria′s disillusioned majority

Desperately seeking voters

Algeria's upcoming parliamentary poll is failing to spark the interest of the populace. Few have any hope that the discredited political class will provide solutions to the country′s pervasive social malaise. At the same time, a handful of dedicated civil society campaigns are focusing on initiating change at grassroots level. Sofian Philip Naceur reports from Algiers and Oran
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Germany′s integration debate revisited

Piling on the pressure

What exactly does integration mean? And just how much allegiance may a society demand of its migrants? Such questions are currently the topic of vigorous debate – especially following the recent referendum result in Turkey. Expecting that migrants should do all the adapting in order to conform to the majority society will, however, only stir up conflict, warns Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
Sex tourism in Egypt

A bride for the summer

Hundreds of under-age Egyptian girls enter temporary marriages with rich tourists from the Persian Gulf during the summer in return for money for their families. These unions – dubbed summer marriages – are not legally binding and end when the foreigners return to their own countries. By Elizabeth Lehmann, Eva Plesner and Flemming Weiss-Andersen
By Elisabeth Lehmann & Eva Plesner
Mustafa Akyol′s ″The Islamic Jesus″

The heart of the matter

Turkish journalist Mustafa Akyol′s latest book ″The Islamic Jesus: How the King of the Jews became a prophet of the Muslims″ is a thought-provoking read, challenging not only the Church′s ascription of Godhead to Jesus, but also the Islamic fixation with God′s law rather than His intention. Lucy James read the book
By Lucy James
Constantin Schreiber′s controversial mosque report

Outside Islam

Constantin Schreiber, a German television journalist, conducted research on sermons given in Muslim houses of prayer and used it to produce a book and some TV reports. Now he has come under fire. Schreiber is accused of employing underhand methods and taking a biased approach to his subject. Is there anything in the criticism? Canan Topcu has the answers
By Canan Topçu
Constantin Schreiber′s controversial mosque report

Outside Islam

Constantin Schreiber, a German television journalist, conducted research on sermons given in Muslim houses of prayer and used it to produce a book and some TV reports. Now he has come under fire. Schreiber is accused of employing underhand methods and taking a biased approach to his subject. Is there anything in the criticism? Canan Topcu has the answers
By Canan Topçu
Europe, Germany and ″Abendland″ angst

In the name of Christendom

Appropriated by the National Socialists and revived by the German far right, the term ″Abendland″ is laden with negative associations. Yet, Alexander Goerlach argues, it′s not too late to reclaim it
By Alexander Goerlach
On the death of philosopher and essayist Tzvetan Todorov

We are all barbarians

Tzvetan Todorov was not a typical French TV philosopher, bending the president's ear with ideas on the politics of the day. He definitely would not have called for "Libya to be bombed", as did Bernard-Henri Levy in 2011. Todorov kept a low profile. He passed away early this year. Stefan Buch explains why he was – and will remain – one of the voices of our time
By Stefan Buchen
Medica Afghanistan

Fighting sexual violence

In April 2002, the German women′s rights organisation medica mondiale began a new project in Afghanistan: Medica Afghanistan. It is the only organisation in the country that offers psychosocial and trauma-sensitive counselling to women who have survived violence. By Mechthild Buchholz
By Mechthild Buchholz