Most recent articles by Jan Kuhlmann
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Two New Books on the Gülen MovementHappy Altruists Everywhere
The American sociologist of religion Helen Rose Ebaugh and the German journalist Jochen Thies wanted to take a closer look at the Gülen movement and the educational activities of its adherents. Both books, however, lack the necessary critical distance says Jan Kuhlmann
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Power Struggle in EgyptThe Mubarak System in a New Guise
It is not a religious conflict that is currently being waged in Egypt; nor is it a struggle representing the supposed clash of civilizations. What is going on in Egypt is nothing more than a battle for political power. A commentary by Jan Kuhlmann
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Egypt in TurmoilDerailing Democracy
The Muslim Brothers may profess to support democracy in principle – but they have failed to breathe life into this avowal in practice. However, it would be too easy to hold the Brotherhood solely responsible for the failure of Egypt's first attempt at democracy. An analysis by Jan Kuhlmann
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The Domiz Refugee Camp in North IraqThe Agony of the Syrian Refugees
Syrian refugees are flocking in ever-greater numbers to the neighbouring countries, fleeing from the violence at home. In the Domiz refugee camp in northern Iraqi, 700 new people arrive every day. But the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR and the Kurdish autonomy government are unable to provide for them. A report by Jan Kuhlmann
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Eugene Rogan on Arab History and the Arab Spring''The Subordination of the Arab World May Be Ending''
Eugene Rogan's "The Arabs" has been hailed as a standard work on the history of the Arab people. In this interview with Jan Kuhlmann, the Oxford historian talks about foreign domination of the Arab world, the Arab spring, and his optimism for the Arab world
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Interview with Mohammad Mojtahed ShabestariWhy Islam and Democracy Go Well Together
The Shiite scholar Mohammad Mojtahed Shabestari is regarded as one of the Iran's most influential Muslim reformist thinkers. In an interview with Jan Kuhlmann, he explains why there is no inconsistency between Islam and democracy.
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Sexual Self-determination in Traditional Muslim FamiliesIn the Firm Grip of Honour
For many conservative Muslim families adhering to traditional norms and values, marriage plays an important role. This can lead to conflicts, especially when individual freedom confronts community beliefs. In the case of sexual self-determination for Muslim men and women, this confrontation can be quite extreme. Jan Kuhlmann reports
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Conspiracy Fears in SyriaThe Power of the Big Story
One of the most effective weapons in President Assad's arsenal is what Jan Kuhlmann refers to as "the big story", the conspiracy theory peddled by the regime that foreign powers are behind the uprising in Syria. In this essay, Kuhlmann takes a closer look at this and other "big stories" circulating in the Arab world and examines their roots and their consequences
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President Gauck and Germany's MuslimsA Certain Distance to Islam
The interviews and speeches given by Germany's new president, Joachim Gauck, show that he is putting a clear distance between himself and Islam. But as German president, his job is not to polarise, but to differentiate. By Jan Kuhlmann
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Postal Threats Sent to Mosques in GermanySolidarity in the Face of Rightwing Extremism and Racism
Germany's religious communities are standing shoulder to shoulder following the sending of obscure, threatening letters to mosques and the Jewish Community of Berlin. Background information by Jan Kuhlmann
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The Arab Spring and Political ChangeAre Arabs Capable of Democracy?
The Arab states currently undergoing democratic change will most certainly encounter setbacks. Democracy is not something that can be practiced beforehand, such as under the protective care of a monarchy. Jan Kuhlmann argues why we should give the people in the Arab world the benefit of the doubt