Christianity
All topics-
Interfaith dialogue in Albania
Loving their neighbours
Three houses of worship stand in close proximity – a mosque, a Catholic church and an Orthodox church: Elbasan's old town is a veritable symbol of religious tolerance in Albania. Extremists do not appreciate this image. By Lindita Arapi
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Interview with Islamic studies scholar Armina Omerika
"Muslims need new ways to approach their religious heritage"
The German Evangelical Church′s relationship with Luther shows Muslims that it′s possible to find and develop a way of engaging critically with your own religious tradition, says Islamic studies scholar Armina Omerika in interview with Canan Topcu
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Pope Francis’ visit to Al-Azhar
Who holds sway over religious identity?
The Muslim world is in upheaval: who will have the authority to interpret the teachings of Islam in future? Cairo′s Al-Azhar University regards itself as fit for the job. But the times are changing and the master may yet become the student. Indeed the pope′s visit was literally something of a god-send. By Alexander Goerlach
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Islam in Greece
A mosque for Athens
Until now, Muslims living in the Greek capital have had to pray on private premises. The first official mosque is due to open in May – after decades of stalling tactics by the Orthodox Christian nation. Mey Dudin reports from Athens
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Mustafa Akyol′s ″The Islamic Jesus″
The heart of the matter
Turkish journalist Mustafa Akyol′s latest book ″The Islamic Jesus: How the King of the Jews became a prophet of the Muslims″ is a thought-provoking read, challenging not only the Church′s ascription of Godhead to Jesus, but also the Islamic fixation with God′s law rather than His intention. Lucy James read the book
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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 Hummel
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Interview with Lutheran pastor Mitri Raheb
″Till we have a fair peace″
Mitri Raheb is a Lutheran pastor and Arab Christian and the founder of the International Center of Bethlehem. Martina Sabra talks to him about Luther's influence in the Middle East, the chances of an Islamic Reformation and accusations of anti-Semitism
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Trump's Islamophobia
Lighting the touch paper
By antagonising and humiliating the world′s Muslim population, the new US administration is playing into the hands of the terrorists. In his essay Ian Buruma examines the likely impact of ′a global war on Islam′ on the powder keg that is the Middle East and Africa
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Christians in Iraq
Coping with wrack and ruin
The Christian villages around the Iraqi city of Mosul may have been liberated, but in reality, the scars of brutal IS rule mean they are uninhabitable. For most residents, returning is not an option at this stage. By Karim El-Gawhary
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Egypt′s Coptic Church
The cost of a cornerstone
Despite a new law aimed at facilitating the construction of Christian houses of worship, the situation on the ground looks somewhat different. By Flemming Weiss-Andersen, Eva Plesner and Elisabeth Lehmann
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The secularisation of Muslims
Silent withdrawal
While the emerging religious demography only counts members of the Church as Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims etc. are counted as religious from birth – with no option to leave their religion. This skews the statistics and our perceptions. By Michael Blume
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Islam and enlightenment
Beware of the myth
Anyone in Europe calling for Islam to finally go through a phase of enlightenment should first pause for critical reflection on our own concept of Enlightenment, writes the prominent Islamic studies expert Ulrich Rudolph