Society

55 years of German-Turkish labour recruitment

Integration is a crossroads

In October it will be fifty-five years since Germany and Turkey signed the labour recruitment agreement. And yet many people of Turkish origin still feel like outsiders in Germany. What does that tell us about the course of integration and what role does past experience play in the current situation? By Melanie Christina Mohr
By Melanie Christina Mohr
Islam and violence

Self-proclaimed jihadists

Does Islam have a violence problem? With their terror in the name of Islam, the jihadists have plunged an entire world religion into a crisis of legitimacy. Although Islamic scholarship has mechanisms at its disposal to limit the violence, these are no longer effective in this current era of globalisation. By Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
Peace and justice in Islam

Are we missing something?

Associating progressive social policies with Islam may unsettle some, yet the parallels are there and offer many possibilities. A contribution to the debate on religion and human rights by Hakan Altinay
By Hakan Altinay
Salafism or philology

What can an Islamic scholar tell us?

The Islamic scholar Angelika Neuwirth has had a greater impact on Koranic research in Germany than anyone else in recent decades. What she has to say is revolutionary – not only for Muslims, but also for Europe. Salafists, in particular, could learn a great deal from her. By Navid Kermani
By Navid Kermani
Germany and Islam

"Muslims are already German"

Many people these days are asking whether Islam and Muslims belong to Germany. In her recent book "Being German, Becoming Muslim", the Turkish anthropologist Esra Ozyurek provides an answer. Her results are more than clear. Interview by Emran Feroz
By Emran Feroz
Freedom of expression in Turkey

Academics on the run

Turkish universities are coming down hard on academics who signed an appeal for peace, providing the government with an ideal pretext to deal with its political opponents, writes Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Marriage in Indonesia

Act of bravery

Marriage is highly regarded in Indonesian society and divorce can be a strong stigma for both women and men. Nonetheless, the number of divorces is rising and the government has now regulated issues of alimony and child care. By Edith Koesoemawiria
By Edith Koesoemawiria
Interview with Hooria Mashhour

On the rebels′ blacklist

Fearing for her life in her home country, a former minister from Yemen applied to Germany for asylum. Now she′s working for the integration of refugees. Interview by Ali Almakhlafi
By Ali Almakhlafi
Germany′s first Arabic newspaper for refugees

Newcomers, not refugees

"Abwab" – the Arabic for doors - is the name of the first and so far the only Arabic newspaper for refugees in Germany. It aims to provide information and serve as a platform for discussing integration-related issues. Ceyda Nurtsch spoke to publisher Ramy al-Asheq
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Interview with the Croatian-German writer Jagoda Marinic

″Cultural identity is not absolute″

"Made in Germany" is a label that sells. But when it comes to people, how German is Germany today? Croatian-German author Jagoda Marinic explains why identity is fluid – and the far-right so dangerous. Interview by Srecko Matic
By Srecko Matic
Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum

Dubai′s fairytale prince

Dubai's Crown Prince is a star on Instagram. With some 3.5 million subscribers, he has long since overtaken royals such as Prince William and Kate. Moreover he emphasises Islamic values. Yet for all the glamour and posturing, there′s no denying that the Emirate keeps a tight rein on freedom of speech. By Mey Dudin
By Mey Dudin
Tunisia's TV spoof

Look who's coming to dinner!

This Ramadan, opinions are divided over a hidden camera television show being broadcast in Tunisia. The presumed protagonist: the former ruler Ben Ali. Does the programme trivialise the dictatorship, or is it an intelligent wake-up call? By Sarah Mersch in Tunis
By Sarah Mersch