Reformist Theologians in Iran
Three years since the death of the Shiite dissident, Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, there is still no one in Iran who can assume his role as the spiritual authority of the reform movement. Many critical clerics have been silenced since the crushing of protests in 2009. Yet, there is increasing support for efforts to reform Islamic law in the country. By Urs Sartowicz More »
Business Innovation in Lebanon
Fifteen years of civil war. Another twenty-two years of bombs, Israeli aggression and domestic discord. Now the conflict in Syria threatens to ignite the neighbouring country's flames once again. Yet more and more young Lebanese are fighting for their country – in the business arena More »
Social media campaigns and law reform in Indonesia
Taking the example of the controversial case of Prita Mulyasari, Sydney-based lawyer Arjuna Dibley argues that while social media campaigns in Indonesia can generate widespread interest and debate about problems with the country's criminal law, they do not actually further the process of criminal law reform More »
The Role of Sharia in the Egyptian Constitution
The controversial referendum on the constitution is not only decisive for the political positioning of the Egyptian state. It also concerns the future status of the Sharia code within the nation's legal system. Analysis by Niklas Hünseler More »
Combatants for Peace
In late November, the seemingly impossible became reality. While the world watched Palestinians and Israelis trading fire and hatred by every possible means, there was a rare moment of co-operation between Israelis and Palestinians who share a mutual desire to put an end to the violence. By Yonathan Listik More »
Ansar Dine's religious leader Chérif Ousmane Haidara
Ansar Dine is the name of a popular Sufi movement in Mali that has two million members. Charlotte Wiedemann spoke with its religious leader, Chérif Ousmane Haidara, about a stolen name, his anger with the Islamists and on a new alliance against Wahhabism More »
Clandestine Migration from Tunisia
In view of Tunisia's persistent economic crisis and high jobless rate, also in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution, many young Tunisians are tempted to turn their backs on their homeland and seek their fortunes in Europe. This gives greater weight to projects aimed at improving prospects for the younger generation and persuading them to abandon plans to cross the Mediterranean. By Beat Stauffer More »
Islamic Auction Website Selisha.de
From trendy headscarves to prayer rugs with integral compasses, Selisha.de has everything the devout Muslim could possibly wish for. It is the very first Islamic auction website in the world. Aygül Cizmecioglu has the details More »
Migration as a Topic in German Museums
With a surfeit of history on their hands, many German museums are only now discovering migration as a theme. It's a step in the right direction, says Austrian historian Regina Wonisch, but isn't enough. An interview by Klaudia Prevezanos More »
Jewish Life in North Africa
The once-large Jewish communities in Tunisia and Egypt have almost disappeared. Those who remain are treated with mistrust and suspicion by society. The Arab Spring has made their situation even more difficult. Andreas Gorzewski reports More »
