Fourth anniversary of Egypt's January Revolution
Graveyard silence replaces revolutionary euphoria
The crisis in Yemen
The primacy of stability over real change
Minister's letter to British Muslim leaders
A deficit of trust
Taliban attacks on schools in Pakistan
"We will never forget what happened"

Fourth anniversary of Egypt's January Revolution

Graveyard silence replaces revolutionary euphoria

On the first anniversary of Egypt's January revolution, there was a huge festival on Cairo's central Tahrir Square. On the fourth anniversary, demonstrations were banned and the square blocked off by the army. By Karim El-Gawhary in CairoRead more

Restrictions on Egyptian NGOs: Silencing the voice of civil societyThe revolution of 25 January 2011 and its consequences: Learning from past mistakesEgypt's literati: Shifting sands, choosing sidesPhoto gallery: Egypt four years after the January uprising

The crisis in Yemen

The primacy of stability over real change

Since 22 January, Yemen has been mired in an almost unresolvable crisis of government. After a power struggle that lasted several days, President Hadi stepped down along with Prime Minister Bahah and his whole cabinet. Marie-Christine Heinze takes a closer look at the current crisis and its wider implicationsRead more

Power struggle in Yemen: An unstable situation turns criticalIran's foreign policy in Yemen and Iraq: Arab fear of the "extended arm of Iran"Political upheaval in Yemen: The triumphant advance of the Houthi rebelsFederalism and state-building in Yemen: Between transition and stagnation

Minister's letter to British Muslim leaders

A deficit of trust

In mid-January, the British Communities Secretary Eric Pickles sent a letter to 1,000 Muslim leaders in Britain, asking them to "explain and demonstrate how faith in Islam can be part of British identity". The reaction was swift, with many Muslims expressing anger or dismay at what they saw as the insinuation that Islam is not part of Britain. By Susannah TarbushRead more

Letter sent to 1,000 Muslim leaders in BritainThe Trojan Horse scandal in the UK: Islamists in the classroom?Review of the Muslim Brotherhood in the UK: Has Cameron buckled to pressure from Middle East allies?British fatwa against IS: Breaking the spell of a poisonous ideology

Taliban attacks on schools in Pakistan

"We will never forget what happened"

On 16 December 2014, a group of Pakistan Taliban militants entered the auditorium and classrooms of the Army Public School in Peshawar and opened fire, killing over 140 people. The attack outraged the world and triggered a debate about the Taliban threat to schools in the country. Sadly, this school attack was no isolated incident: since 2007, more than 1,000 schools have been attacked or destroyed. By Kiran Nazish in Peshawar and SwatRead more

Peshawar school attack: The cynical logic of the Pakistan TalibanThe emergence of Islamic State in Pakistan: "They don't negotiate, they don't make partners"Interview with Asma Jahangir, winner of the Right Livelihood Award: "Every restriction is based on religion"Nobel Peace Prize 2014: Serving stereotypes about the subcontinent?

Politics

Tahrir Square in Cairo was cordoned off by the army on 25 January 2015 (photo: Reuters/M. Abd El Ghany)

Fourth anniversary of Egypt's January Revolution

Graveyard silence replaces revolutionary euphoria

On the first anniversary of Egypt's January revolution, there was a huge festival on Cairo's central Tahrir Square. On the fourth anniversary, demonstrations were banned and the square blocked off by the army. By Karim El-Gawhary in CairoMore

Restrictions on Egyptian NGOs: Silencing the voice of civil societyThe revolution of 25 January 2011 and its consequences: Learning from past mistakesEgypt's literati: Shifting sands, choosing sidesPhoto gallery: Egypt four years after the January uprising
Houthis outside the presidential palace in Sanaa (photo: dpa)

The crisis in Yemen

The primacy of stability over real change

Since 22 January, Yemen has been mired in an almost unresolvable crisis of government. After a power struggle that lasted several days, President Hadi stepped down along with Prime Minister Bahah and his whole cabinet. Marie-Christine Heinze takes a closer look at the current crisis and its wider implicationsMore

Power struggle in Yemen: An unstable situation turns criticalIran's foreign policy in Yemen and Iraq: Arab fear of the "extended arm of Iran"Political upheaval in Yemen: The triumphant advance of the Houthi rebelsFederalism and state-building in Yemen: Between transition and stagnation
British Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/ Joe Giddens)

Minister's letter to British Muslim leaders

A deficit of trust

In mid-January, the British Communities Secretary Eric Pickles sent a letter to 1,000 Muslim leaders in Britain, asking them to "explain and demonstrate how faith in Islam can be part of British identity". The reaction was swift, with many Muslims expressing anger or dismay at what they saw as the insinuation that Islam is not part of Britain. By Susannah TarbushMore

Letter sent to 1,000 Muslim leaders in BritainThe Trojan Horse scandal in the UK: Islamists in the classroom?Review of the Muslim Brotherhood in the UK: Has Cameron buckled to pressure from Middle East allies?British fatwa against IS: Breaking the spell of a poisonous ideology
A fighter from Zintan brigade watches as smoke rises after rockets fired by one of Libya's militias struck and ignited a fuel tank, Tripoli, 2 August 2014 (photo: Reuters)

Civil war in Libya

A stateless society

The political divide in Libya continues to grow. Amal El-Obeidi, professor of Comparative Politics at the University of Benghazi, cites two historical causes for the current situation: the absence of a Libyan identity and the tribal structure of society in the North African country. By Laura OvermeyerMore

Interview with Andreas Dittmann: "Libyans themselves are destroying their country"Journalists in Libya: Caught in the crossfireClashes between rival militias in Libya: The battle for TripoliWomen in Libya: High hopes brutally dashed
more Politics »

Society

Pakistani schoolgirls look out from a vehicle on their way to school near the Army Public School in Peshawar, Pakistan, Monday, 12 January 2015 (photo: picture-alliance/AP Photo/B.K. Bangash)

Taliban attacks on schools in Pakistan

"We will never forget what happened"

On 16 December 2014, a group of Pakistan Taliban militants entered the auditorium and classrooms of the Army Public School in Peshawar and opened fire, killing over 140 people. The attack outraged the world and triggered a debate about the Taliban threat to schools in the country. Sadly, this school attack was no isolated incident: since 2007, more than 1,000 schools have been attacked or destroyed. By Kiran Nazish in Peshawar and SwatMore

Peshawar school attack: The cynical logic of the Pakistan TalibanThe emergence of Islamic State in Pakistan: "They don't negotiate, they don't make partners"Interview with Asma Jahangir, winner of the Right Livelihood Award: "Every restriction is based on religion"Nobel Peace Prize 2014: Serving stereotypes about the subcontinent?
A woman wearing a French tricolour holds a 'We are Charlie' sign during a march for the victims of the "Charlie Hebdo" shootings in Paris, Liverpool, England, 11 January 2015 (photo: Reuters/Noble)

Democracy and freedom of speech

Charlie and Theo

In the wake of the Paris attacks, many people were quick to view the killings as a direct attack on democracy and to claim that freedom of speech is absolute. In this essay, Ian Buruma explores the principles of free speech and toleranceMore

Islamic satirical magazine "Cafcaf" from Istanbul: "No, nothing has been forgiven!"After the Paris attacks: The dangerous "alliance" between Islamism and IslamophobiaMuslims and the Paris attacks: "I distance myself from these murderers – not as a Muslim, but as a human being"France after the attack on "Charlie Hebdo": Much more is at stake than press freedom
Nilufer Gole (photo: picture-alliance/ZB/Esch-Kenkel)

Interview with Turkish sociologist Nilufer Gole

"There is a collective will to live together"

Prominent Turkish sociologist Nilufer Gole is a leading authority on Islamic identity and urban Muslim women. In an interview with Ceyda Nurtsch, she explains why freedom of speech is not sacred and why a new society in Europe is inevitableMore

Interview with the French imam Djelloul Seddiki: "Extremist groups want to impose on us a clash of civilisations"On Raif Badawi, Charlie Hebdo and non-violent Islamism: "We are all in this together, like it or not"Attack on the French satirical magazine "Charlie Hebdo": Do not be deceived!Interview with Nilufer Gole: From secular enlightenment to secular fanaticism
Jews and Muslims attending a Salaam-Shalom initiative event in a mosque (photo: William Noah Glucroft)

The Salaam-Shalom Initiative

Breaking down artificial walls

A year after its launch, the Salaam-Shalom Initiative has become one of the biggest intercultural groups in Berlin with dozens of events in mosques, synagogues and community centres. Armin Langer looks back on an eventful yearMore

Resistance to Pegida: "Intolerance must not be tolerated"Website of the Salaam-Shalom Initiative (mainly German)The perception of Islam as the enemy: When fear creeps inIsraeli–Palestinian dialogue in Germany: It is possible to work togetherMuslims in Germany: Blocked integrationInterview with Benjamin Stora: The history of relations between Jews and Muslims
more Society »

Culture

Iranian philosopher and professor of political science at the University of Toronto, Ramin Jahanbegloo, Cordoba, Spain, 4 February 2011 (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Alcaide)

Book review: Ramin Jahanbegloo's "Time Will Say Nothing"

"The last stop before hell"

In May 2006, the leading Iranian intellectual and philosopher Ramin Jahanbegloo was arrested at Tehran Airport and accused of spying and trying to undermine the government in Iran. Following an international campaign, he was released in August of the same year. After his release, he wrote a book about his experiences. By Fabrizio PetriMore

Iran before the elections: Hunger strikes and love lettersThe Iranian writer Amir Hassan Cheheltan: The loyal dissidentThe Iranian graphic novel "Zahra's Paradise": An artistic insight into a sinister worldAmir Hassan Cheheltan's ''Tehran, Skyless City'': Reflecting the dark side of Iran's capital
Screenshot of the caricature on the front of the most recent edition of the Turkish satirical magazine "Cafcaf" bearing the statement "No, nothing has been forgiven!"

Islamic satirical magazine "Cafcaf" from Istanbul

"No, nothing has been forgiven!"

The Islamic satirical magazine "Cafcaf" has distanced itself from the worldwide "Je suis Charlie" movement. The magazine's Turkish caricaturists regard their own art as being respectful towards Islam and criticise the portrayal of their religion in the West. By Senada Sokollu in IstanbulMore

Interview with the cartoonist Khalil: "There is nothing that can justify this sort of violence"The Lebanese satirical magazine "Ad-Dabbour": Hornets' nest in BeirutCreative protest against Syria's regime: The puppet rebellionPortrait of the Egyptian TV satirist Bassem Youssef: Fighting over the ''Pantie Revolution''
Kasse Mady Diabate (source: www.kassemadydiabatemusic.com)

Album review: "Kirike" by Kasse Mady Diabate

"Understanding is what we wish for: to live in peace"

Kasse Mady Diabate has been described as "the greatest singer in Mali". He is more than just a singer, he is also a griot: an oral historian and musical storyteller. On his latest CD, "Kirike", Kasse Mady Diabate goes back to his musical roots. The result, says Richard Marcus, is captivatingMore

Album review: "The Paris Session" by The Touré-Raichel Collective: Expanding each other's musical horizonsAbderrahmane Sissako's film "Timbuktu": In the beginning there was violenceAlbum review: "The Gnawa Berber" by Simo Lagnawi: A wholehearted expression of devotionMusicians in Mali: Fighting back against censorship
Khalil (photo: private)

Interview with the cartoonist Khalil

"There is nothing that can justify this sort of violence"

Political message or provocation? It is important to consider these two factors prior to a cartoon's publication. Acording to Khalil, a cartoonist of Arab origin, responsibility plays a major role in this consideration. Esther Felden spoke to Khalil about the attack in Paris and its consequencesMore

Attack on the French satirical magazine "Charlie Hebdo": Do not be deceived!France after the attack on "Charlie Hebdo": Much more is at stake than press freedomProtest against Mohammed cartoons: Where are the sober-minded people?The Iranian graphic novel "Zahra's Paradise": An artistic insight into a sinister world
more Culture »

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Egypt four years after the January uprising

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For three months now, a movement known as Pegida has been demonstrating against the alleged Islamisation of the West and against immigration in Germany. But is their any truth in its claims that Germany is being flooded by Muslims and migrants? And even if it is, are the consequences for Germany as catastrophic as Pegida claims? This video presents some of the facts about immigration in Germany.  More

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