Syria after Geneva II
In a political vacuum
Women in Morocco
Rape victims no longer forced to marry their aggressors
Turkey
"The evaporation of the Turkish state as we know it"
Multicultural classrooms
An opportunity not a problem

Syria after the Geneva II peace talks

In a political vacuum

The Syrian author Talal al-Maihani believes that the vicious circle of violence in Syria can only be broken by the emergence of a new opposition force that truly represents the political will of a majority of SyriansRead more

Civil war in Syria: No peace with Assad and al-QaedaInternational policy on Syria: The rehabilitation of AssadRussia, the US and the Syrian Civil War: A Bloody Game of Chess

Women in Morocco

Rape victims no longer forced to marry their aggressors

Although Morocco has done away with a controversial law allowing rapists of underage girls to escape prosecution if they marry their victims, the basic problem of rape remains. Activists say it's time to enact change in society to protect rape victims. By Monika GriebelerRead more

Women's Rights in Morocco: Activists See Little Hope for Gender Policy ReformsWomen in Afghanistan: In Prison for Being RapedThe Muslim Brotherhood and Women's Rights in Egypt: A Project of Patriarchal ExtremismSexual Repression in the Arab World: Anguish, Love and Poetry

Corruption scandal in Turkey

"The evaporation of the Turkish state as we know it"

A series of alleged telephone recordings between the Turkish prime minister and members of his family has escalated an ongoing political crisis to unprecedented levels, with many now fearing for the state of the country's democracy. By Dorian Jones in IstanbulRead more

Turkish–Iranian relations: "Zero problems" with the Islamic RepublicInterview with Kerem Öktem: Farewell to the "Islamic Vatican"?The Erdogan administration: Turkey's paradigm shift

Multicultural classrooms

An opportunity not a problem

It is increasingly the case that students from different nations, cultures and religions sit together in the same classroom. Experts at the University of Hildesheim in Germany are considering how teachers worldwide can better prepare themselves for this kind of diversity. Anke Martina Witt takes a look at how this issue is adressed in Germany, Canada, Norway and TurkeyRead more

Integration in Germany: Finally growing upThe Avicenna scholarship programme: Fostering talented, socially committed Muslim studentsQantara dossier: Education

Politics

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (photo: picture-alliance/AP Photo)

Corruption scandal in Turkey

"The evaporation of the Turkish state as we know it"

A series of alleged telephone recordings between the Turkish prime minister and members of his family has escalated an ongoing political crisis to unprecedented levels, with many now fearing for the state of the country's democracy. By Dorian Jones in IstanbulMore

Turkish–Iranian relations: "Zero problems" with the Islamic RepublicInterview with Kerem Öktem: Farewell to the "Islamic Vatican"?The Erdogan administration: Turkey's paradigm shift
Celebrations on Martyrs' Square in Tripoli to mark the third anniversary of the start of the 2011 revolution (photo: Valerie Stocker)

Third anniversary of the revolution in Libya

Nothing to celebrate

Three years have passed since the overthrow of Muammar al-Gaddafi. Yet despite celebrations to mark the event and the election of a 60-member national assembly to draw up Libya's new constitution, prospects for a more stable future look grim: the people have largely lost faith in the country's deeply divided parliament. By Valerie Stocker in TripoliMore

Libya: Removing Gaddafi from SchoolbooksThe political consequences of the Arab Spring: Some revolts just take longerLibya's Border Triangle: Trouble Looming
Members of the Syrian opposition (photo: Getty Images)

Syria after the Geneva II peace talks

In a political vacuum

The Syrian author Talal al-Maihani believes that the vicious circle of violence in Syria can only be broken by the emergence of a new opposition force that truly represents the political will of a majority of SyriansMore

Civil war in Syria: No peace with Assad and al-QaedaInternational policy on Syria: The rehabilitation of AssadRussia, the US and the Syrian Civil War: A Bloody Game of Chess
Narendra Modi (photo: Reuters)

Narendra Modi and the Indian Muslims

Divisive figure could become India's next PM

Narendra Modi was chief minister in the Indian state of Gujarat when anti-Muslim pogroms took place there 12 years ago. Today, he is the Hindu nationalist BJP party's candidate for the post of prime minister. Will this exacerbate India's inter-religious tensions? By Ulrich von SchwerinMore

The Babri Mosque Controversy in India: Sacred Ground for Muslims and HindusThe Hindu-Muslim Conflict in Bollywood Films: The Religious Conflict as a BlockbusterThe Indian Subcontinent's Colonial Heritage: Divide and Conquer
more Politics »

Society

A girl holds up a poster of Amina al-Filali, victim of rape and forced marriage in Morocco (photo: Naqi Tbel)

Women in Morocco

Rape victims no longer forced to marry their aggressors

Although Morocco has done away with a controversial law allowing rapists of underage girls to escape prosecution if they marry their victims, the basic problem of rape remains. Activists say it's time to enact change in society to protect rape victims. By Monika GriebelerMore

Women's Rights in Morocco: Activists See Little Hope for Gender Policy ReformsWomen in Afghanistan: In Prison for Being RapedThe Muslim Brotherhood and Women's Rights in Egypt: A Project of Patriarchal ExtremismSexual Repression in the Arab World: Anguish, Love and Poetry
Turkish pupils in a German classroom (photo: dpa/picture-alliance)

Multicultural classrooms

An opportunity not a problem

It is increasingly the case that students from different nations, cultures and religions sit together in the same classroom. Experts at the University of Hildesheim in Germany are considering how teachers worldwide can better prepare themselves for this kind of diversity. Anke Martina Witt takes a look at how this issue is adressed in Germany, Canada, Norway and TurkeyMore

Integration in Germany: Finally growing upThe Avicenna scholarship programme: Fostering talented, socially committed Muslim studentsQantara dossier: Education
Muslim students (photo: Vincenzo Ferrera)

The Avicenna scholarship programme

Fostering talented, socially committed Muslim students

Named after an eleventh-century Persian scholar, the Avicenna scholarship programme will offer its first 50 scholarships to students for the coming winter semester 2014/15. It is the first programme of its kind for gifted Muslims in Germany. Thus far, the country has only had special religious scholarship programmes for Christians or Jews. Shohreh Karimian spoke to Beschir Hussain and Matthias Meyer, the initiators of this innovative programmeMore

Interview with Winfried Verburg: A Place of Learning for All ReligionsSocial and Educational Services for Muslims in Germany: ''We Want Participation, Not Integration''Interview with Volker Jung: ''We Promote Interfaith Skills''Islamic Religious Education in Germany: Allah or the Advisory Council
more Society »

Culture

Ounsi el-Hage (photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Obituary: Lebanese poet Ounsi el-Hage

One of the founders of Arab surrealism

Last month, the Lebanese poet Ounsi el-Hage died at the age of 77. Alongside Adonis and Mahmoud Darwish, he was one of the pioneers of modern Arabic poetry. An obituary by Suleman TaufiqMore

Obituary for Fuad Rifka: The Advocate of Lyrical AttentivenessInterview with Fuad Rifka, Winner of the Goethe Medal: A Life Dedicated to the German LanguageInterview with Fuad Rifka: At Home in German Thought
Still from the documentary "Iranien" (photo: Berlinale)

Mehran Tamadon's documentary "Iranien"

A bold experiment

In Mehran Tamadon's new documentary, the director enters into a debate with four loyal supporters of the regime, who better him in every aspect of the discussion. Igal Avidan saw the film at the BerlinaleMore

Mohammed Rasoulof's ''Manuscripts Don't Burn'': Iranian Agents as KillersThe Documentary Film ''In the Bazaar of Sexes'': Temporary Marriage in IranDocumentary Feature ''The Iran Job'': US Basketball Player as Cultural Diplomat
Photo of a Nemashim theatre production entitled "Remembering the return to Haifa" (photo: Flickr.com)

Book review: Uri Shani's "Nemashim" theatre project

Creating a level playing field

In his book, the Israeli theatre director and drama teacher Uri Shani describes the ups and downs of an Arab–Hebrew community theatre project known as "Nemashim". Julie Schwannecke read the book and spoke with the authorMore

Drama School in the West Bank: Theatre of HopeTheatre in the West Bank: Fragments of FreedomUNART theatre project: Integration is about more than just learning German
more Culture »