Society

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, Flemming Weiß-Andersen
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
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 Görlach
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
French Muslims against radicalisation

Fight 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
By Elizabeth Bryant
Europe′s refugee deal with Turkey

The 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
By Ulrich von Schwerin
Discrimination in schools

Better 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
By Nicole Sagener
Sexuality in Iran

Facing 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
By Shahrzad Osterer, Farhad Payar
Sufis targeted in Pakistan

The 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
By Marian Brehmer