Society

Sunni–Shia relations

Iran's futile bid for ecumenism within Islam

Although Saudi Arabia distances itself from groups like al-Qaida, its leaders share the terrorist organisation's mistrust of the Shias and fear the emergence of a "Shia Crescent" in the Middle East. But Iran has always seen itself not as a Shia but as an Islamic country and declares itself committed to a rapprochement between the different Islamic denominations. Ulrich von Schwerin analyses why Iran's attempts to further ecumenism within Islam have thus far been in vain
By Ulrich von Schwerin
Misogynists unite?

Women, Islam and Germany's modern society

For many people Islam and misogyny are apparently inseparable. And for some, growing numbers of refugees are pushing up levels of concern over both. But if immigrants and their children are thinking in patriarchal family structures, this has less to do with their religion or culture and far more to do with German immigration policy. An essay by Susanne Kaiser
By Susanne Kaiser
Islam and the West

What Islamisation?

The state promotes Islam in public life – and for good reason. This has nothing to do with Islamisation but with the liberties enshrined in the constitutions of the Western democracies, writes Christine Langenfeld, chair of the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration
By Christine Langenfeld
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