Author: Ulrike Hummel

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Muna Tatari, professor at the Seminar for Islamic Theology at the University of Paderborn (photo: Ulrike Hummel)

Environmental protection in Islam

Patterning nature

What indicators of environmental protection and species conservation can be found in Islamic theology, the Koran and other Islamic lore? Answers from Muna Tatari, professor at the Seminar for Islamic Theology at the University of PaderbornMore

Eco-Islam pioneer Fazlun Khalid: ''Allah does not love the wasters''Eco-Islam: Noor al-Hussein speaks out: Islam, faith and climate changeIslam, environment and sustainability: "The environmental crisis is also a spiritual crisis"Gardens in Islam: A metaphor for heavenly paradise
Minaret belonging to the DITIB Central Mosque in Cologne (photo: dpa/picture-alliance)

DITIB Central Mosque in Cologne

A place to pray, a place to meet

For many Muslims in western Germany, a dream has finally come true. Years behind schedule, the Central Mosque in Cologne finally opened its doors in the middle of Ramadan. The faithful can now pray there every day. Ulrike Hummel went along to see itMore

German architect to build mosque: "Muslims should not try to hide"Cologne's new Central Mosque: Open to allGermany: Bringing mosques out in the open
Imam Sherin Khankan in Copenhagen′s first women′s mosque (photo: Ulrike Hummel)

Copenhagen′s mosque led by women

When the muezzina calls

Friday prayers are regularly held in Europe′s first female-led mosque. In a further innovative step, a new Islamic academy for the training of female imams for Denmark is about to open its doors. Ulrike Hummel reports from CopenhagenMore

Denmark′s first women-only mosque: Papa, don't preachInterview with Amina Wadud: ''Islam belongs to all its believers''Islam and feminism: Go forth and create role models!
Conversion of refugees in a Berlin church (photo: Getty Images/AFP)

Afghan refugees and the right to remain

Fast-track baptisms

Germany is currently witnessing a sharp increase in the number of conversions from Islam to Christianity among its considerable refugee community. Christian sects from Asia are exploiting the fear of deportation among Afghan refugees – with potentially fatal consequences. By Ulrike HummelMore

Underage refugees and family reunification: Who needs parents?New wave of Turkish asylum-seekers: Ever optimisticPoems by young refugees: Holding back the tears
Germany′s Federal Ministry for Migration and Refugees in Chemnitz (photo: dpa/picture-alliance)

Underage refugees and family reunification

Who needs parents?

A temporary halt in the reunification of families for some refugees means all thousands of relatives can currently do is wait. Criticism relating to a raft of "Asylum Package II" measures, the bureaucratic shortcomings of the authorities, not to mention lengthy processing times is rife. By Ulrike HummelMore

Syrian refugee Nather Henafe Alali: Part II: ″Why I am here″New wave of Turkish asylum-seekers: Ever optimisticGermany′s refugee policy: Four words for humanity
Rabeya Muller (photo: Ulrike Hummel)

Portrait of the theologian Rabeya Muller

Equality in the name of Islam

The women's movement within Islam is gaining momentum worldwide. One of the most influential German Muslim women in this respect is the theologian Rabeya Muller. With her clear views and breaks with taboo, she is pushing for change within the Muslim community in GermanyMore

Interview with Amina Wadud: ''Islam Belongs to All Its Believers''Book review: Zahra Ali's "Islamic Feminisms": Female emancipation based on the spirit of Sharia Qantara dossier: Feminism in Islam
Image symbolising Islam and environmental protection (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/DW Montage)

Green Islam

The fair mosque

Mosques with solar panels, fair trade products and a guide to living an eco-friendly life during the Hajj ... Eco Islam is gaining momentum. Ulrike Hummel reports on a project that seeks to develop environmental awareness among Muslims in GermanyMore

Islamic Environmentalism: The Call to Eco-JihadEco-Islam Pioneer Fazlun Khalid: ''Allah Does Not Love the Wasters''The "Green up my community" initiative
Members of the Working Group for Muslims in the SPD (photo: Hendrik Rauch)

Muslims in German political parties

The diversity trend

In Germany, both the Greens and the Christian Democrats have had working groups for Muslim members for some time now. In February, the Social Democrats followed suit. Are these new groups really and truly different? Or are Germany's main political parties simply jumping on the diversity trend bandwagon? By Ulrike HummelMore

Young Islam Conference: Interface between politics and society Muslims in Germany: The Future Chancellor-MakersChanging the orientation of Germany's Islam Conference: New agenda, same old faces
The Islam Conference in Berlin on 7 May 2013 (photo: dpa/picture-alliance)

Changing the orientation of Germany's Islam Conference

New agenda, same old faces

Since the row that erupted at last year's Islam Conference, dialogue between the German state and its Muslim residents has faltered. Now, the new interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, wants to get things moving again by changing the forum's orientation. But what can the German Islam Conference realistically hope to achieve in the future? By Ulrike HummelMore

Interview with Naika Foroutan on the German Islam Conference: ''Politics Is Also About Using Symbols''Debate on European Islam: A Mined TerrainNew Participants in the German Islam Conference: The Patronised Minority
Sergeant Chaouki Aakil (photo: © Ulrike Hummel)

Muslims in the German Armed Forces

Observing Ramadan in Uniform

There are around 1,000 Muslims among Germany's 250,000 soldiers. During Ramadan, they have the extra pressure of finding a compromise between their job and their daily religious fast. Ulrike Hummel reportsMore

The Islamic Month of Ramadan: A Test of WillpowerThe Holy Month of Ramadan: To Fast or Not to FastRamadan in Germany: A Test of Faith and Strength of Character
Image from the book ''Miteinander auf dem Weg'' (courtesy: Ernst Klett Verlag/Liliane Oser)

Textbook on Islam for German Schools

Conflicts between Tradition and Modernity

The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia is introducing a schoolbook that introduces pupils to Islam. But is the teacher in it going to wear a headscarf or not, and is correct to use the Arabic term "Allah" for God? Ulrike Hummel reportsMore

Teaching Islam in German Schools: Religion Must Not Be Regarded as an Integration ProblemComparative Theology in Germany: Muslims and Christians Discussing NietzscheMathias Rohe on Islamic Theology in Germany: Triggering Global Debates

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

How successful is linguistic integration? Three quarters of German-born Muslims grow up with German as a first language. Among immigrants, only one fifth claim that German is their first language. The trend of language skills improving with successive generations is apparent across Europe. In Germany 46 percent of all Muslims say that their national language is their first language. In Austria this is 37 percent, Switzerland 34 percent

Muslims in Europe: Integrated or not?

In the week preceding Germany's general election, we take a look at how integrated Muslims are in Europe. By Aasim Saleem