Amid the increasing complexity of the Syrian conflict, a growing number of "critical citizens" are assigning greater credibility to conspiracy theories on the Internet than to UN investigations that are required to meet scientific standards. Essay by Kristin HelbergRead more
Why resort to bans on specific religious practices, when we live in an age and a form of society where one can open oneself to permanent processes of education? If piety and self-determination are to be brought into line with a liberal, democratic society, argues Emel Zeynelabidin, then other measures must be appliedRead more
Poverty is more than a lack of money, as the World Bank definition confirms. Moreover, it is harder to bear in countries where social inequality is more marked and individuals have less chance of social advancement. Mona Naggar recounts her observations from living in BeirutRead more
Journalist Birgit Svensson arrived in Iraq in 2003 and never left, enjoying the dubious status of being the only German-language reporter in the country for much of the time since. Recently published in German, "Moerderische Freiheit" recounts her experiences, offering insights into Iraq that go beyond terrorism and war. By Christopher ReschRead more
Amid the increasing complexity of the Syrian conflict, a growing number of "critical citizens" are assigning greater credibility to conspiracy theories on the Internet than to UN investigations that are required to meet scientific standards. Essay by Kristin HelbergMore
Journalist Birgit Svensson arrived in Iraq in 2003 and never left, enjoying the dubious status of being the only German-language reporter in the country for much of the time since. Recently published in German, "Moerderische Freiheit" recounts her experiences, offering insights into Iraq that go beyond terrorism and war. By Christopher ReschMore
Not much remains of the euphoric mood and the hopes that drove the Arab Spring. A return to pre-2011 conditions is however out of the question. Commentary by Loay MudhoonMore
Saudi Arabia first denied the Khashoggi murder and then blamed it on rogue security agents. Neither version has enjoyed much credibility, but the ability to make the population repeat incredible claims is itself a form of power for Arab autocrats, argues Hannes BaumannMore
Poverty is more than a lack of money, as the World Bank definition confirms. Moreover, it is harder to bear in countries where social inequality is more marked and individuals have less chance of social advancement. Mona Naggar recounts her observations from living in BeirutMore
Why resort to bans on specific religious practices, when we live in an age and a form of society where one can open oneself to permanent processes of education? If piety and self-determination are to be brought into line with a liberal, democratic society, argues Emel Zeynelabidin, then other measures must be appliedMore
War, famine and poverty are devastating Yemen. Millions of people are in dire need of food and medical supplies. Among the worst-affected are young mothers and their children. Gouri Sharma and Mohamed Hussein reportMore
Children's life choices are often difficult for parents to endure and even more difficult to understand. Especially when they embark on a path towards Islamism. An encounter with an affected mother. By Matthias von Hein and Esther FeldenMore
Can art help individuals process the experience of fleeing across the Mediterranean? Sponsored by Malteser International, the art project "Human Cargo" in Ahaus, Germany, is helping refugees come to terms with the horrors they experienced on their odyssey. By Wolfgang DickMore
Influenced by everything from California surf music of the 1960s to the songs of Anatolian singer Selda Bagcan and a hearty dose of 1990s grunge music, the thought behind Turkish singer-songwriter Gaye Su Akyolʹs latest album, "Istikrarl Hayal Hakikattir" (ʹconstant fantasy is realityʹ), is a little more ethereal. By Richard MarcusMore
For young women throughout the Arab world, everyday life is fraught with tension. In this piece Algerian writer and film-maker Drifa Mezenner presents her own take on conflicting generational expectations, societal pressures and the deeply felt desire to live a self-determined existenceMore
In Ziad Doueiri’s "The Insult", a Lebanese Christian and a Palestinian foreman in Beirut have an argument that lands them in court, and ultimately triggers civil war-like clashes between the two ethnic groups. By Schayan RiazMore
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's presence can still be felt in a landscape increasingly dominated by President Tayyip Recep Erdogan. Bradley Secker travelled through Turkey to find secular iconography of the republic's founder
Tunisia appoints first Jewish minister in the Arab world for sixty years
Rene Trabelsi is just the third member of the country's Jewish minority to enter a cabinet since independence in 1956. The last to do so was in 1958.More
Indonesia’s indigenous languages hold the secrets of surviving disaster
Introducing hard-learned local wisdom into warning efforts could save thousands of lives. As the 2004 Indonesian tsunami bore down on the island of Simeulue, near West Aceh, the cries of “Smong! Smong!,” the local word for a tidal wave, rang from the coastline to the hills as soon as the shaking that preceded the disaster had finished. The disaster cost more than 150,000 lives in Indonesia; only seven were lost on Simeulue.More
Midterms bring Congress female Muslim representatives
Tlaib, a Democrat from Detroit who is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, ran unopposed in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District to become one of the first Muslim women in Congress.More
"Nawaat" online magazine
Nawaat is a platform for young Tunisian bloggers and cyber activists. The independent online magazine played an important role as an information portal during the 2010/11 Jasmine Revolution.More
The children of Aleppo: Majida's story
Syria's war has left hundreds of thousands of people with a disability. Many of them are children. Ten-year-old Majida Al-Omar lost her leg after an air strike in the city of Aleppo. Now in Turkey, she is rebuilding her life, one step at a time.More
openDemocracy: Free thinking for the world
openDemocracy is an independent global media platform covering world affairs, ideas and culture which seeks to challenge power and encourage democratic debate across the world.More
Salafism in Germany: What you need to know
Salafism has a long history, with a path stretching from the Prophet Muhammad and the first three generations of Muslims all the way to present-day Germany. We take a look at this multifaceted movement of Islam.More
Mauritania criminalises extra-marital relations
Human Rights Watch explains how the criminalisation of sexual relations outside marriage in Mauritania is putting rape survivors at risk. The law deters them from filing complaints because they could themselves face prosecution.More
Albukhary Gallery of the Islamic World: "A soaring miracle of art"
It goes without saying that The British Museum's 4-million piece collection of historical objects is one of the most unparalleled in the world. But for the last four years, the museum has been working hard on one project in particular: a brand new gallery dedicated exclusively to the Islamic world.More
The German Islam Scholar Lamya Kaddor
Why I as a Muslim Woman Don't Wear a Headscarf
Jordan and the influx of refugees
The true Samaritans
Muslims in Liberal Democracies
Why the West Fears Islam
The decline of Islamic scientific thought
Don't blame it on al-Ghazali
The Media and ''The Innocence of Muslims''
Against the Islamisation of Muslims
Junaid Jamshed
"I Was a Sinner for Years"