Most recent articles by Christoph Strack
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Islam in GermanyMuslims in the German military set to get their own chaplaincy
Soldiers of the Islamic faith in Germany's armed forces have long lacked the pastoral care available to their Christian and Jewish counterparts. What was once seen as politically impossible is about to change.
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Interview with Islam expert Felix KoernerThe Pope and the Muslims
Will Pope Francis still be travelling to Riyadh? What will be the outcome of his planned visit to Indonesia? How important is his friendship with Grand Sheikh al-Tayyeb? Interview with Islamic scholar Felix Koerner, five years after the Abu Dhabi document "on human fraternity"
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Dialogue in GermanyAn imam and a rabbi tour Berlin schools
Tensions are running high over the conflict in the Middle East. In German schools, as elsewhere, discussions are controversial and emotional. An imam and a rabbi are working together to promote dialogue and understanding in these turbulent times
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Muslims in Europe and conflict resolutionMeet Germany's first Islamic affairs consultant
How can local authorities best understand the various Islamic groups in their communities? Or integrate young Muslims? Christoph Strack reports how Germany's first Islamic affairs consultant is resolving conflicts between mosque communities and municipalities
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Muslims in GermanyAnonymous hate mail rattles mosque congregations
In Germany, numerous mosques are facing threats, yet the security authorities are anything but clued up. Fear, mixed with an increasing sense of frustration, is growing among the country's Muslim community. By Christoph Strack
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Islamophobia in GermanyMuslims face everyday hate
Last Friday – 15 March – was the UN's International Day to Combat Islamophobia. In Germany, many of the 5.5 million-strong Muslim community say they experience discrimination every day. By Christoph Strack
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Integration in GermanyMuslims find a home, but few graves
Germany lacks Muslim burial grounds, while establishing new ones is fraught with red tape. Christoph Strack examines the issue and talks to the initiator of one showcase project
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Jewish Diplomatic Corps visits UAE"Our preconceptions are at odds with reality"
Hamburg lawyer Eugen Balin is a member of the World Jewish Congress' Jewish Diplomatic Corps. At the end of 2021, a delegation of the Corps visited the United Arab Emirates, which established full diplomatic relations with Israel in the summer of 2020. Interview by Christoph Strack
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Religions for Peace conference in LindauFighting hate speech, climate change and COVID-19 together
Religions are often a source of conflict. But the worldwide Religions for Peace movement seeks to change that by galvanising interreligious dialogue. Delegates from 90 countries are meeting this week in Germany. The involvement and commitment of young women at this year's conference is striking. By Christoph Strack
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Islamophobia in Germany and EuropeEuropean Muslims face increased online and physical attacks
Muslims in Europe regularly experience threats, witness attacks and are the target of hate across national borders. Now the Council of Europe, the continent's leading human rights organisation, is to examine the problem and make recommendations to policymakers on how they can better tackle Islamophobia. By Christoph Strack
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College of Islam opens in OsnabruckGermany finally gets its own "home-grown" imams
On 15 June, the "Islamkolleg" in Osnabruck officially launched its new training programme for imams in German. The college is intended to prepare Islamic theologians for their work in mosque communities and thus further the integration of Muslims in Germany. By Christoph Strack
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Dialogue of religionsHouse of One: Berlin lays cornerstone for religious understanding
Last week, in the heart of Berlin, a group of Christians, Jews and Muslims laid the foundation stone for a joint house of worship that will feature a church, a synagogue and a mosque. Those involved have high expectations for the project: "the idea is bigger than the building". By Christoph Strack