Society

Cultural rapprochement with Iran

Laden with promise

Following the historic Iran nuclear deal that was clinched in Vienna in July 2015 and the subsequent lifting of sanctions against Iran in mid-January 2016, Germany and Iran are now looking for ways to stimulate cultural dialogue and exchange between the two countries. Dorothea Grassmann talks to Ali Fathollah-Nejad
By Dorothea Grassmann
Interview with the social scientist Edit Schlaffer

Mothers Schools challenge extremism

The Austrian "Mothers Schools" programme aims to prevent the recruitment of potential jihadists. Edit Schlaffer, founder of the organisation "Women without Borders", has spent the last ten years researching the root causes of Islamist radicalisation. Her core finding: mothers play a key role. Interview by Iris Mostegel
By Iris Mostegel
Islamic theology in Germany

Mission accomplished?

Rarely does interest in a subject grow so fast. Introduced as a course of study at German universities just five years ago, Islamic theology is now being taught to 1,800 students at five centres around the country. Arnfrid Schenk takes stock
By Arnfried Schenk
Racial profiling in the US

Muslim bashing: the new American norm

In the wake of the Brussels attacks, Republican frontrunner Donald Trump yet again repeated his call for a ban on all Muslims entering the United States of America. With ABC News primary exit polls on 15 March revealing that two-thirds of Republican voters feel Muslims would be better off elsewhere, the current tide of anti-Muslim sentiment has yet to turn. By Joseph Mayton
By Joseph Mayton
Interview with the Islamic scholar Ebrahim Moosa

The reinvention of Islam

Concepts like apostasy or blasphemy reveal that Islamic theology is caught in a mode of imperial Islamic political thinking, says US-based scholar Ebrahim Moosa. What is needed is a process of critical appraisal. Moosa asks that Muslims rediscover the great lessons of diversity in their history rather than following the reductionist versions that masquerade as Muslim theology today. Interview by Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
″Afro-Iran″ photo book

The Persian Gulf′s forgotten minority

For a long time, little was known about the Afro-Iranian minority in the Persian Gulf. German-Iranian photographer Mahdi Ehsaei has been documenting their lives in portraits – Marian Brehmer presents his book
By Marian Brehmer
Murdered Italian student in Egypt

Disgraceful accusations

The murder of the Italian postgraduate and journalist, Giulio Regeni, in Cairo in February triggered a wave of international shock and protest. Claims that Regeni’s supervisors bear responsibility for sending him into danger are outrageous, writes the French Lebanese political scientist Gilbert Achcar
By Gilbert Achcar
Interview with radical Islam expert Peter Neumann

Islamic State′s looting economy

The political scientist and Islamism researcher Peter Neumann sees the so-called "Islamic State" as a "hybrid of insurgency group and state", the success of which is based on constant expansion and a looting-based economy. Interview by Michael Erhardt
By Michael Erhardt
Interview with Yasar Aydin on press freedom in Turkey

Repression reaches new heights

By seizing the newspaper "Zaman" and placing it under state control, the Turkish government has yet again compromised the rule of law and democracy, says Turkey expert Yasar Aydin in an interview with Helena Baers
By Helena Baers
The Berlin charity ″Morus 14″

Dispelling alienation and prejudice

″Morus 14″ is a charitable organisation that aims to promote social integration based in Neukolln – one of Berlin′s more deprived neighbourhoods. Along with other volunteers, Jewish Israeli Hagar Levin manages the organisation′s successful drop-in project for Muslim children and teenagers. Interview by Igal Avidan
By Igal Avidan
Religion and freedom of expression

The birth of a new theocracy?

Following the Arabellion, controversial pluralistic debates on questions of morality or religion were no longer taboo in Egypt. But such discursive freedom has proved short-lived; the tide has turned. These days, the tone adopted by Egypt's regime is more highly charged with religious rhetoric than ever and the goal is clear: to wrest back control of social discourse. Meanwhile Egypt's justice system is playing along and restricting freedom of expression. Sofian Philip Naceur reports from Cairo
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Trauma therapy in Iraqi Kurdistan

″It is possible to build a peaceful society″

Iraq′s autonomous region of Kurdistan is home to approximately 2 million refugees from various backgrounds and religions. Since 2005, the Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights has been providing medical, psychotherapeutic and social support to survivors of torture, persecution and violence. Katja Dombrowski discussed matters with Salah Ahmad, the Foundation′s founder and president
By Katja Dombrowski