Society

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
Refugee crisis in the Mediterranean

New networks trafficking Syrians from Egypt to Europe

The UN Security Council is set to vote on the EU's proposal for military action against people smugglers in the Mediterranean. But who are these people smugglers? What form do their networks take? And are they really a security threat? By Lewis Sanders
By Lewis Sanders IV
Yazidis in Turkey

Old homeland, new homeland

Despite the alarming situation in the Kurdish region of neighbouring Iraq, some Yazidis have recently returned from Germany to their native villages in south-eastern Anatolia. The coming years will indicate whether the resettlement is a lasting one. By Ekrem Guzeldere in the Turkish province of Mardin
By Ekrem Eddy Güzeldere
Egyptian football star Mohammed Aboutreika

Bridging a deep divide

Few are able to bridge Egypt's deeply polarising divide between supporters and opponents of the Muslim Brotherhood following the 2013 military coup that toppled President Mohammed Morsi. Mohammed Aboutreika, Egypt's most celebrated and storied soccer player, is proving to be either the exception that proves the rule or an indication of shifting attitudes. By James M. Dorsey
By James M. Dorsey
The Christian minority in Pakistan

Under increased threat of persecution

Weeks after the twin bombings on churches in Lahore, discrimination against the Christian minority in Pakistan seems to have taken a turn for worse. By Roma Rajpal Weiß
By Roma Rajpal Weiss
Freedom of the press in Syria

The truth can cost lives

Four years into Syria's civil war, neither the regime nor the jihadists are interested in free and fair reporting. As Samar Yazbek explains, it takes great courage to stand up and tell the truth under such circumstances
By Samar Yazbek