Freedom of religion
All topics-
Islam in Southeast Asia
Autocratic versus democratic Islam
Indonesia has become a primary battleground between democratic and autocratic visions of Islam in the 21st century, with Nahdlatul Ulama pitted against Abdullah bin Bayyah, a Sunni high priest who provides UAE autocrats with religious legitimisation. Commentary by James M. Dorsey
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Hindutva target Muslims
Mumbai mosques forced to turn volume down
Follwing demands by a regional Hindu leader that mosque loudspeakers to be turned down in Mumbai, local police intervened to ensure compliance. The row is the latest point of tension between India's Muslims and Hindus, despite repeated assurances by Narendra Modi's ruling BJP that it does not discriminate against anyone
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Turkish opposition
Courting Turkey’s disenchanted electorate
Despite the economic crisis and Turkey's increasingly undemocratic track record, surveys show the ruling AKP is still the party of choice. So what exactly is holding back the opposition? Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul
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Arundhati Roy: India's voice of conscience
Writing is activism
Frequently outspoken in her criticism of political developments in her home country India and around the world, Booker Prize-winning novelist and prolific essayist Arundhati Roy has proven that politics and fiction do go hand-in-hand. By Manasi Gopalakrishnan
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Navid Kermani‘s "Questions about God"
How do we believe?
In his latest book, Navid Kermani poses questions about God. It feels like no one could have done it better. His writing elicits smiles, doubt and wonder. By Melanie Christina Mohr
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Dayton, Putin, the EU
Bosnia and Herzegovina's 30-year struggle
Separatists continue to threaten to destroy Bosnia & Herzegovina. A look back indicates the tiny western Balkan state is lacking democracy, the rule of law, prosperity and the prospect of being integrated into the EU soon. By Rudiger Rossig
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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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Sportswashing in Saudi Arabia
Formula 1, football, golf – Saudi Arabia makes a point of attracting major sporting events. The strategy is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's "Vision 2030" and is meant to boost the country's image. By Andreas Sten-Ziemons
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Muslims in the West
Can democracy tolerate Muslims at all?
"Muslimaniac" is what political scientist Ozan Zakariya Keskinkilic calls Western society's invention of Muslims as a problem: a shimmering term that mixes social construction and obsession with the passionate, ironic spirit of breaking free from stereotypes. Brilliantly and bitingly, he writes about consistent alienation and paves the way towards rapprochement. Interview by Schayan Riaz
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Saudi Arabia's detainees
Speak your mind – face the consequences
Family and activists hope that Raif Badawi will be released soon. However, the well-known blogger is not the only activist behind bars for expressing dissenting views. By Kerstin Knipp
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India state elections
India's BJP revives Hindu-Muslim dispute
Hindu monk and chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, up for re-election in key state polls next month, has turned his attention to a revered religious site in Mathura, situated next to a mosque, suggesting he will champion the Hindu cause in a long-running dispute with Muslims over who owns the site
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Modi's India
Authoritation pseudo-democracy in the making?
India is generally considered to be the world’s largest democracy. As civic freedoms are being eroded, international experts now consider it seriously under threat. By Mira Mandal