Most recent articles by Claudia Mende
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Mouhanad Khorchide's Reformist TheologyDe-politicizing the Koran
Mouhanad Khorchide aims to reconcile Islam with the modern world. His aim is to liberate the Koran from all outward trappings and return to the religion's spiritual core Claudia Mende introduces the man and his work
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Islamic Religion Classes in German schoolsWho Decides?
After years of discussion and debate, the first German states are now introducing Islamic religion classes in public schools. However, because there are many different branches of Islam and no central authority to offer guidance, the question as to who should be allowed to decide on teachers and lesson content is leading to serious conflict. By Claudia Mende
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The Egyptian Artist Ali Abdel MohsenThe Natural Pessimist
Ali Abdel Mohsen is one of the young, original, and generally irreverent artists who appeared as if out of nowhere in the aftermath of the 2011 revolution and who have completely altered the Cairo art scene. A portrait by Claudia Mende
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Egypt – a Nation DividedTrapped between the Religious and Secular Fronts
While Egypt's elites see themselves in a culture struggle between a liberal and a more strongly Islamic direction, the poor are growing increasingly disappointed in a revolution that has brought them no improvements whatsoever to date. Claudia Mende reports from Cairo
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Massive Conflicts within Syrian ChurchesConfessional In-Fighting
Well-known Syrian dissidents criticise the impact of the huge influence exerted on religious groups by the Assad regime. Syrian journalist Michel Kilo warns against a "bunker mentality" within faith communities and a new "confessional racism". Claudia Mende reports
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The 'Mapping Democracy' ProjectGlobal Dialogue in Real Time
To explore innovative forms of democratic dialogue – that's the idea behind the project "Mapping Democracy", which saw experts and audiences taking part in a simultaneous debate in Cairo, Madrid and Munich. Claudia Mende reports
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Goethe Institute series: ''Receiving the World – Mapping Democracy''New Challenges for Democracy
With a new series of events entitled "Receiving the World – Mapping Democracy", the Goethe Institute seeks to explore new challenges to our understanding of democracy. The focus of the series is on the similarities and differences between the new social movements in Europe and the protest movement in North Africa. By Claudia Mende
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Profile of the Egyptian Writer Salwa BakrThe Voice of the Marginalized
Salwa Bakr is an unassuming literary star. Not a natural self-promoter, the Egyptian writer is nevertheless one of her nation's best known authors at international level. She has written 18 books, many of which have gained international recognition and been translated into nine languages. By Claudia Mende
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Aleppo's Old TownWorld Cultural Heritage Threatened by Syria's Civil War
Large-scale destruction is being inflicted on the unique historical and cultural legacy of the Syrian commercial metropolis Aleppo. And the people of the city had actually only just begun to show an interest in that legacy. By Claudia Mende
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Book Review: Volker Perthes on the Arab SpringThe Rebellion of the Young
Volker Perthes is director of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin. In his new book, Der Aufstand (The Uprising), he looks at the Arab uprisings and considers what they could mean for German and European policy and for the Middle East as a whole. Claudia Mende read the book for Qantara.de
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Egyptian Women's Rights Activist Hoda BadranWomen as Losers of the Revolution?
Egypt's most prominent women's rights activist Hoda Badran fears a regression in the battle for social and political equality for women. With the newly-founded "Egyptian Feminist Union", she aims to bring the concerns of women to a wider public. Claudia Mende introduces her
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Egypt's Presidential Election Run-offMaking the Best of a Bad Lot
With parliament dissolved, Egyptians find themselves caught between a rock and a hard place ahead of the imminent run-off for the presidency. For many, neither ex-Air Force leader Ahmed Shafiq nor the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Mursi represent a credible choice. Claudia Mende reports from Cairo