Society

Islam in Germany

A poor second

Germany is a secular country, but the German legal framework approves of institutionalised religions in a biased way. The religions must organise themselves according to state standards and those standards are tailored toward the structures of the Christian religion. A commentary by Alexander Goerlach
By Alexander Goerlach
Child trafficking in Iran

The agony of the destitute

More and more parents are selling their children out of economic desperation across Iran. Unfortunately, the government is suspicious of NGOs wanting to help. By Shabnam von Hein
By Shabnam von Hein
Syrian refugees and Arab mosques in Germany

″Allah is listening″

Syrian refugees in Germany are alarmed by Arab mosques, often supported by Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, which preach ultra-conservative or highly literal interpretations of Islam, such as Wahhabism or Salafism. By Joseph Nasr
By Joseph Nasr
Azza Soliman, an Egyptian feminist at risk

"What has Azza done?"

To portray the extent of authoritarianism of the Egyptian state, it is often said that ″even″ feminists and women′s organisations are being targeted, since feminism and women′s issues are not generally perceived as a threat by authoritarian regimes. Yet that′s a flawed premise, argues Mozn Hassan
By Mozn Hassan
Palestinians in purgatory

Eternally displaced

The number of internally displaced Palestinians is currently estimated to be around 300,000. A fact the Israeli government is keen to ignore. Hardly surprising, considering that acknowledging IDP rights of return would necessarily entail recognising the events of 1948 in their entirety. By Mona Bieling
By Mona Bieling
New wave of Turkish asylum-seekers

Ever optimistic

More and more Turks are applying for political asylum in Germany. They feel threatened and repressed by the Erdogan government and they fear for their lives. Most applicants are Kurds, like Mazhar Zumrut. Yet whether or not the Kurd from Diyarbakir may remain in Germany is uncertain. Report by Volker Witting
By Volker Witting
Women's rights in Iran

Freedom by stealth – and its public impact

The "My Stealthy Freedom" Internet campaign is designed to make Iranians aware of women’s rights in their homeland. The project’s aim is to free women from their often passive victim roles and inspire them to start their own initiatives. By Iman Aslani
By Iman Aslani
Iran′s image in the West

Sheer incredulity

Journalists, business people, tourists, artists and culture professionals – in 2016 many more foreigners travelled to Iran than in previous years. The visitors often remark on how inspiring the "desire for freedom" and "cosmopolitanism" of young Iranians in particular is, leading to a host of superficial observations. By Stefan Buchen
By Stefan Buchen
Hate crime report by Germany′s Institute for Human Rights

Time to stem the tide

Thanks to the divisive rhetoric of US President-elect Donald Trump, respect for human rights took a battering during the US election campaign. All the more important therefore that Germany and its European partners remain committed to upholding them. By Hugh Williamson
Interview with Tunisian Secretary of State Saida Ounissi

Don′t marginalise your Muslims

In 2014, Saida Ounissi (29) was elected to the Tunisian Parliament as an MP for the Ennahda movement. She is currently Secretary of State to the Ministry of Vocational Training and Labour. In interview with Peter Schaefer, she describes growing up with Islamophobia and racism in France and suggests ways of preventing youth radicalisation
By Peter Schäfer
Conscientious objection in Egypt

Playing the system

Military service is obligatory for young men in Egypt. But an increasing number of people attempt to evade the compulsory service by being signed off or exempted. For those with no other option, conscientious objection remains the last resort. Sofian Philip Naceur reports from Cairo
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Education in Indonesia

Boatloads of books

Grassroots initiatives are ensuring that children have access to books in some Indonesian villages. Appreciation of books is rising in general. By Edith Koesoemawiria
By Edith Koesoemawiria