Society

Hamed Abdel-Samads Buch "Mohamed: Eine Abrechnung"

From critique of Islam to post-Salafism

The Egyptian-German Hamed Abdel-Samad is one of Germany′s best-known Muslim media pundits – and at the same time one of the country′s most popular critics of Islam. Following a book on Islamic fascism, he has now brought out his ″reckoning″ with the prophet Mohammed. Yet Abdel-Samad remains wedded to the thought structures of Salafism, says Stefan Weidner in his book review
By Stefan Weidner
Juergen Habermas awarded Kluge Prize for Philosophy

″Asylum is a human right″

What holds society together and what's our role in it? Philosophers Juergen Habermas and Charles Taylor have recently been honoured in the US for their work on these issues. By Klaus Kraemer and Stefan Reccius
By Stefan Reccius
Portrait of the Syrian intellectual Sadiq al-Azm

Critical philosopher and political activist

Though Damascene born and bred, al-Azm is a true cosmopolitan - with no nostalgia for his mother′s baking, no tears shed over the good old days, and no longing for the fresh scent of jasmine so reminiscent of Damascus. He has always preferred personal freedom with all its associated risks to the comfort of a familiar environment. By Yassin al-Haj Saleh
By Yassin al-Haj Saleh
Anti-construction protests in Turkey

″Reclaim Istanbul!″ – policy vs. architecture

Turkey′s construction industry is booming. As a key pillar of the nation's economy, President Erdogan's ambitious goal is to ensure it catapults Turkey into the world's top ten economies by 2023. But the AKP's ″urban transformation project″ has many downsides. By Ceyda Nurtsch
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Non-fiction: ″Angst ums Abendland″ by Daniel Bax

The apocalyptics of the West

In his book "Angst ums Abendland" (Fears For the West), taz journalist Daniel Bax presents a detailed examination of why contemporary Europe should not be afraid of Muslims, but of Islamophobes. A review by Emran Feroz
By Emran Feroz
Islamic banking

Seattle's initiative has Muslims hopeful

Seattle’s city council is launching a programme of Sharia-compliant loans with the aim of improving the long-term prospects of the local Muslim community. Those forced to live in high-cost rental property are now in a position to consider the alternatives. By Joseph Mayton
By Joseph Mayton
Refugees in Israel

Waiting for Holot

Holot, Israel′s desert detention centre, recently released 1,200 asylum seekers. With the state dragging its feet over the processing of asylum applications, however, thousands more are likely to receive a summons. By Ylenia Gostoli
By Ylenia Gostoli
Corruption in Egypt

Model student becomes anti-corruption icon

One student’s fate is fuelling the public outcry against corruption within Egyptian society. Following the government's resignation on Saturday, hope is now pinned on the new premier-designate Sharif Ismail. By Elisabeth Lehmann in Cairo
By Elisabeth Lehmann
Interview with Sedat Korkmaz

"German society [...] still does not know much about Alevism"

Some 4,000 children and young people now attend classes in Alevi religious education in public schools in Germany. But there is still a shortage of teachers who are able to convey the Alevi faith with competence. Martina Sabra discussed the situation with Sedat Korkmaz, head of the Alevi Academy in Mannheim
By Martina Sabra
Egypt′s media and the new anti-terror law

Towing the government line

The anti-terror law passed in mid-August has struck fear into the hearts of journalists and bloggers in Egypt. It imposes legal limits on how they report terrorist attacks, severely curtailing freedom of speech. Background by Mustafa Hashem in Cairo
By Mustafa Hashem
One Syrian refugee’s story

″I could no longer live in Syria″

Syrian refugee Alaa Houd left his job and family and hired people smugglers to make his way to the wealthy countries of Western Europe. Hiring people smugglers was his only way of leaving war-torn Syria. Diana Hodali spoke to Syrian Alaa Houd and recounts his story for him
By Diana Hodali
Portrait of the refugee helper Father Zerai

"All these people want is a chance"

The feisty Catholic priest Mussie Zerai is a staunch advocate of the rights of refugees in Italy and has already saved countless lives. A candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize, he is known as the "refugees' guardian angel". Many refugees simply call him "Father Moses". By Andrea Backhaus
By Andrea Backhaus