Society

Tolerance and religious freedom in France

Fighting radical Islam with lessons in secularism

The French government wants to send imams and non-Muslim civil servants to classes in secularism and religious freedom in an attempt to prevent home-grown extremism and promote tolerance. Elizabeth Bryant reports from Lyon on a programme that is paving the way
By Elizabeth Bryant
Hindus in Pakistan

"I want to preserve my Hindu bloodline in North Waziristan"

All around the Islamic world, people are being forced from their homes for religious reasons or are fleeing religious violence and conflict. Many leave, intending never to return in the hope of being able to start a new life in a different country. Others, however, want to return home and carry on. Just like this elderly Hindu lady who wants to go back to the predominantly Muslim region of North Waziristan to rebuild her destroyed home and keep the Hindu population there alive. She told her story to Kiran Nazish
By Kiran Nazish
The destruction of Yemen's cultural heritage

Treasures of humanity under threat

Ongoing airstrikes and the military conflict with the Houthi rebels bring the threat of further destruction of important historical buildings and cultural monuments in Yemen. By Amida Sholan
By Amida Sholan
The role of the HDP in the Turkish general election

Beacon of hope for women and LGBTs

In the Turkish election campaign, all eyes are on the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). The party's success would fundamentally redraw the nation's political map. Within a short period of time, it has succeeded in gaining favour with an array of disadvantaged social groups. By Ceyda Nurtsch
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Book review: Khaled Diab's "Intimate Enemies: Living with Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land"

Prioritising the people

At a time when Palestinian–Israeli relations are at a particularly low ebb, it might seem over-optimistic to argue that the divisions between the people on the two sides are less than they seem, and that a "people's peace process" could lead to a just solution. Yet this is what the Egyptian-Belgian journalist, author and blogger Khaled Diab does in his book "Intimate Enemies: Living with Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land". By Susannah Tarbush
By Susannah Tarbush
Ayaan Hirsi Ali's controversial theories on Islam

Hailed as a "female Luther"

Ayaan Hirsi Ali has just published her latest book "Heretic" in Germany. Her work has been received with enthusiasm in Germany, where she was courted by the media and even described as a "female Luther". She probably has more in common with him than is comfortable for many. By Emran Feroz
By Emran Feroz
Palmyra's ancient queen

Zenobia, secular Arab heroine

The city of Palmyra, which was recently seized by Islamic State (IS), was once ruled by Queen Zenobia, who became a source of inspiration for modern, secular Arabs and the Arab women's movement alike. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that articles in the Arab media are referring to Zenobia as a "prisoner of the jihadists". By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Book review: "What Makes a Man? Sex Talk in Beirut and Berlin"

An honest and painful cultural exchange

In 2003, two authors – one from Germany, one from Lebanon – spent time in each other's company and countries as part of a cultural exchange programme. Twelve years on, a book resulting from this encounter has been published: one section of the book details the Lebanese author's reaction to meeting a homosexual; another is devoted to the German author's rebuttal of this account. According to Nahrain Al-Mousawi, it is an unsettling read on many levels
By Nahrain al-Mousawi
Preventing terrorism in Lebanon

Dialogue behind bars

The world is horrified by the brutality of Islamic State (IS). Two young sisters are now doing what they can to prevent young Lebanese people from joining radical Islamist groups. By doing so, they are risking their lives. Juliane Metzker reports from Beirut
By Juliane Metzker
Book review: Sadakat Kadri's "Heaven on Earth"

What is justice?

This brilliantly written book on Sharia law by the Indian-born British lawyer Sadakat Kadri has been a huge success in Britain. "Heaven on Earth" provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the history of Sharia law from its origins to the present day, as well as the difficulties faced in its application. Now that it has been published in German translation, Stefan Weidner takes a look at this successful book
By Stefan Weidner
Interview with Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch

"These are people floating around, waiting to die"

Thousands of minority Rohingya Muslims remain stranded at sea without adequate food and water. On Wednesday, 20 May, Malaysia and Indonesia finally bowed to mounting international pressure, announcing that they would offer refugees temporary shelter provided that they are resettled and repatriated by the international community within a year. Roma Rajpal Weiß spoke to Phil Robertson, the deputy director of Human Rights Watch in Asia, who condemned the policy of the countries of South-East Asia
By Roma Rajpal Weiss
The Muslim Rohingya minority in Myanmar

Stateless people in search of a home

Mass graves in Thailand and overcrowded boats full of refugees in the Gulf of Bengal highlight the dramatic situation facing the Muslim Rohingya minority. According to Rodion Ebbighausen, this stream of refugees is not about to run dry any time soon
By Rodion Ebbighausen