Intellectuals in Muslims countries often do not see religion as a hindrance to the democratization of their societies. In their view, the main obstacle is instead the fear on the part of the present rulers of forfeiting their power. We a look at the debate in our dosssier
Democratic Reform in the Arab World
The latest Arab Human Development Report, by richly documenting the deep social problems of the Arab world, reinforces awareness among Arab citizens of how far they must go to achieve democratic freedoms, says Fred Halliday More »
Political Reforms in Syria
Syria is about to step into the stream of Arab political reform, but with as little fanfare as possible, writes Sami Moubayed from Damascus. More »
Interview Ali al-Atassi
After the withdrawal of the Syrian troops from Lebanon many experts assume that the events will have a political impact on Syria. Bernhard Hillenkamp spoke with Mohammad Ali al-Atassi, Syrian civil society activist and journalist of the Lebanese daily "an-Nahar" More »
Civil Society in Lebanon
After the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, thousands took to the street to protest. In Beirut, Bernhard Hillenkamp interviewed social economist Omar Traboulsi about the prospects of civil society in the midst of political turmoil More »
The "Leaden Years" in Morocco
Ever since 1956, thousands of political prisoners suffered physical and psychological torture. Now a Truth Commission has made it possible for the victims to talk about their experiences - but without charging the perpetrators. Yassin Adnan reports More »
Interview Saad Eddin Ibrahim
The director of the Ibn Khaldun Centre in Cairo, Saad Eddin Ibrahim, says that he has observed positive signs that Arab states are opening up to democracy. But, he says, the reform process requires that Islamists not be shut out of the political dialogue More »
Interview Nader Fergany
At their June summit, the G8 countries launched a new initiative to promote democratic and economic reform in the "Broader Middle East and North Africa". The plan is a watered-down version of the US "Greater Middle East Initiative", says Nader Fergany. More »
Interview Tariq Ali
In an exclusive interview with Qantara.de, Tariq Ali, author of "The Clash of Fundamentalisms" and renowned critical intellectual, talks about Islam and the West and about reforms in the Islamic world. Interview by Tareq Al-Arab More »
Azhar Scholars Debate the Civil Society
Scholars at the Islamic Azhar University welcome civic participation – just as long as it stays apolitical, as Lennert Lehmann writes in his analysis More »
German Federal Interior Minister Otto Schily:
Interior Minister Otto Schily warns against instrumentalizing the dialogue with Islam and reducing it to a question of culture. He fears this could drive such dialogue into a blind alley where it becomes just a set of "parallel monologues." More »
Interview Michael Gahler
In spite of the conservative shift following the Iranian parliamentary elections, Michael Gahler, member of the European Parliament, sees good chances for expanding political and economic relations between Europe and Iran. More »
Commentary Patrick Seale
Renowned Arab world expert Patrick Seale argues that in order to be able to become part of the modern world, the Arab nations ought to follow Turkey’s example. And the West must not leave Arab nations alone. More »
Geneva Initiative
"Yes to the Accord!" was the slogan of an ambitious media campaign that was initiated one year after the signing of the Geneva Accord by Palestinian and Israeli politicians hoping to end the Middle East conflict. Igal Avidan reports More »
Syria
The Tharwa Project is an independent initiative that seeks to foster better relations between minority groups and the majority population across the Arab World. Kristin Helberg interviewed Tharwa coordinator Ammar Abdulhamid in Damascus More »
The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections
When the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections was founded in 1996, it planned to curb the widespread corruption of elections. In this year's election, the NGO is cautiously supported by the government. Bernhard Hillenkamp reports More »
