Massive Conflicts within Syrian Churches
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 More »
The 'Mapping Democracy' Project
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 More »
Israel's Social Media and the Gaza Crisis
In light of the war of information raging throughout the current Gaza conflict, the Israeli writer Assaf Gavron highlights the important role that social media plays in his country, providing a voice for authentic and independent viewpoints beyond any control or influence by the state More »
Interview with Nilüfer Göle
In the wake of the protests against the anti-Mohammed video, the West should be aware that the principle of freedom of opinion can be abused in order to attack Islam, says the Turkish sociologist Nilüfer Göle. It is now more urgent than ever before that society takes greater responsibility in addressing religious values, she stresses. Alessandro Lanni spoke with the sociologist More »
Iranian Reformist Thinkers in Exile
Iran has forced intellectuals and clerics like Abdulkarim Soroush and Mohsen Kadivar into exile. These men once drove the debate about a reform of the political system and religion in Iran. They have found refuge in the West, where they can work, speak, and conduct research more freely. But what influence – if any – do they still have in Iran? By Urs Sartowitz More »
The Arab Spring and the Media
Why have Al-Jazeera, Al-Arabiya and most western media neglected to report on the uprisings in Bahrain? Is it true that in Syria, Alawites are fighting against Sunni Muslims? And who were the real victims of the Houla massacre? Amira Mohsen Galal takes a look at some of the most striking flaws in reporting on the Arab Spring, two years after the uprisings began More »
Interview with the Egyptian Muslim activist Asmaa Mahfouz
Asmaa Mahfouz is one of the founders of the April 6 Youth Movement. She has been credited with helping to spark mass uprising through her video blog posted one week before the start of the 2011 Egyptian revolution. In this interview with Nina zu Fürstenberg, she shares her concerns and hopes for the Arab Spring More »
The Salafyo Costa Initiative in Egypt
Salafis are often portrayed as conservative and anti-Western, but members of the Salafyo Costa initiative are countering these generalizations by engaging in dialogue with other Egyptians of all political and religious backgrounds. Nada Zohdy reports from Cairo More »
Gay Rights in Tunisia
Homosexuals in Tunisia celebrated the ouster of dictator Ben Ali, hoping it would improve their situation. But in nearly two years, little has changed for the country's gay and lesbian community. Sarah Mersch reports from Tunis More »
Goethe Institute series: ''Receiving the World – Mapping 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 More »
