Society
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Sex tourism in EgyptA 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
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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
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Constantin Schreiber′s controversial mosque reportOutside 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
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Europe, Germany and ″Abendland″ angstIn 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
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On the death of philosopher and essayist Tzvetan TodorovWe 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
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Medica AfghanistanFighting 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
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French Muslims against radicalisationFight the good fight
In Bordeaux, Muslims have gone on the offensive against radical Islam within their communities. Yet their efforts are not to everyone′s taste – religion in France remains a highly personal matter. Elizabeth Bryant reports from Bordeaux
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Europe′s refugee deal with TurkeyThe end of the road
Anything is better than waiting. Even deportation back to Turkey is no longer such a frightening prospect for refugees stranded on Lesbos. But now, Ankara says it is no longer willing to take back rejected asylum seekers. Ulrich von Schwerin reports from Lesbos
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Discrimination in schoolsBetter marks without a headscarf
All children are supposed to have equal educational opportunities – that sounds good in theory. In reality, however, many pupils of migrant origin experience discrimination. A number of initiatives in Berlin are committed to changing this. By Nicole Sagener
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Sexuality in IranFacing a "sex putsch"
Sexuality is a taboo subject in Iran. But the country′s youthful society wants enlightenment and more sexual freedoms. What little support it receives from exile seems to be having a powerful effect. By Shahrzad Osterer and Farhad Payar
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Sufis targeted in PakistanThe dance goes on
The attack on the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in the Pakistani city of Sehwan struck the country's mystics at the heart of their religious practice. Like no other holy site in Pakistan, the shrine is a symbol of the religious pluralism that is deeply rooted in this nation. By Marian Brehmer
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Tattoo trends from Beirut to BaghdadIn the spirit of rebellion
For some it's about following a trend; for others, tattoos are a symbol of their faith, but whatever the reason, the fashion for stylish tattoos is fuelling a growing subculture across the Arab world. By Mey Dudin