Author: Jan Kuhlmann

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Fethullah Gülen (phto: picture-alliance/AP)

Two New Books on the Gülen Movement

Happy Altruists Everywhere

The American sociologist of religion Helen Rose Ebaugh and the German journalist Jochen Thies wanted to take a closer look at the Gülen movement and the educational activities of its adherents. Both books, however, lack the necessary critical distance says Jan KuhlmannMore

The Gülen Movement: Erdoğan Is Not Turkey's Only ProblemThe Fethullah Gülen Movement: Pillar of Society or Threat to Democracy?Portrait of Fethullah Gülen: A Modern Turkish-Islamic Reformist
Members of the Egyptian security forces arrest supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood outside the al-Fath mosque in Cairo on 17 August 2013 (picture alliance/Zumapress)

Power Struggle in Egypt

The Mubarak System in a New Guise

It is not a religious conflict that is currently being waged in Egypt; nor is it a struggle representing the supposed clash of civilizations. What is going on in Egypt is nothing more than a battle for political power. A commentary by Jan KuhlmannMore

Escalation of Violence in Egypt: The Desired Radicalisation of the Muslim BrotherhoodEgypt after the Coup: Bloodshed in Cairo as Military Clamps DownEgypt in Turmoil: Democrats Targeted in Pogrom AtmosphereQantara dossier: Power Struggle in Egypt
Military units block a road in Egypt's capital city (photo: dpa)

Egypt in Turmoil

Derailing Democracy

The Muslim Brothers may profess to support democracy in principle – but they have failed to breathe life into this avowal in practice. However, it would be too easy to hold the Brotherhood solely responsible for the failure of Egypt's first attempt at democracy. An analysis by Jan KuhlmannMore

After the Ousting of Mohammed Morsi: Egypt on the Brink of Collapse?President Morsi Ousted: Revolution in Egypt, AgainPolitical Upheaval in Egypt: A Clear Message for the Brotherhood
Syrian refugees at the Domiz refugee camp (photo: Jan Kuhlmann)

The Domiz Refugee Camp in North Iraq

The Agony of the Syrian Refugees

Syrian refugees are flocking in ever-greater numbers to the neighbouring countries, fleeing from the violence at home. In the Domiz refugee camp in northern Iraqi, 700 new people arrive every day. But the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR and the Kurdish autonomy government are unable to provide for them. A report by Jan KuhlmannMore

Syrian Refugees in Iraq: Exodus into the UnknownSyrian Refugees in Turkey: ''Wait until Assad Falls''Syrian Refugees: ''The Floodgates of Humanity Must Be Opened Immediately''
Eugene Rogan in his office (photo: private copyright)

Eugene Rogan on Arab History and the Arab Spring

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''The Subordination of the Arab World May Be Ending''

Eugene Rogan's "The Arabs" has been hailed as a standard work on the history of the Arab people. In this interview with Jan Kuhlmann, the Oxford historian talks about foreign domination of the Arab world, the Arab spring, and his optimism for the Arab worldMore

Elias Khoury on Political Prospects after the Arab Spring: At a CrossroadsDemocratisation Processes in Historic Comparison: Arab Nations Are No Longer OnlookersQantara.de Dossier: The Arab Spring
Mohammad Mojtahed Shabestari (photo: © Humboldt University Berlin)

Interview with Mohammad Mojtahed Shabestari

Why Islam and Democracy Go Well Together

The Shiite scholar Mohammad Mojtahed Shabestari is regarded as one of the Iran's most influential Muslim reformist thinkers. In an interview with Jan Kuhlmann, he explains why there is no inconsistency between Islam and democracy.More

The Arab Spring and Political Change: Are Arabs Capable of Democracy?Mohammad Mojtahed Shabestari: "Islam Is a Religion, Not a Political Agenda"Qantara Dossier: Democracy and Civil Society
Young Muslim woman wearing a headscarf and a 'hoodie' (photo: dpa)

Sexual Self-determination in Traditional Muslim Families

In the Firm Grip of Honour

For many conservative Muslim families adhering to traditional norms and values, marriage plays an important role. This can lead to conflicts, especially when individual freedom confronts community beliefs. In the case of sexual self-determination for Muslim men and women, this confrontation can be quite extreme. Jan Kuhlmann reportsMore

Homophobia among Muslim Students: A Question of Deficient Integration and EducationMigration and Integration in Germany: The ''Heroes'' of Berlin-NeuköllnJoachim Helfer / Rashid al-Daif: ''The Homosexualization of the World''
President Bashar al-Assad delivering a speech in Damascus on 10 January 2012 (photo: Syrian State Television via APTN/AP/dapd)

Conspiracy Fears in Syria

The Power of the Big Story

One of the most effective weapons in President Assad's arsenal is what Jan Kuhlmann refers to as "the big story", the conspiracy theory peddled by the regime that foreign powers are behind the uprising in Syria. In this essay, Kuhlmann takes a closer look at this and other "big stories" circulating in the Arab world and examines their roots and their consequencesMore

Syria: Plea for a Humanitarian InterventionFerhad Ahma of the Syrian National Council in Germany: ''People Are Demonstrating All over the Country''Start of the Trial against NGO Staff in Egypt: A Bizarre and Legally Controversial Case
Woman in front of the Sehitlik Mosque in Berlin, Germany (photo: dpa)

Postal Threats Sent to Mosques in Germany

Solidarity in the Face of Rightwing Extremism and Racism

Germany's religious communities are standing shoulder to shoulder following the sending of obscure, threatening letters to mosques and the Jewish Community of Berlin. Background information by Jan KuhlmannMore

Aftermath of the Attacks in Norway: Isolate the Intellectual Incendiaries!Fresh Dispute over Islam: Why the German Media are Courting the Anti-Islam MovementQantara Dossier: Dialogue between Religions
Protests in Tahrir Square on the first anniversary of the revolution (photo: Reuters)

The Arab Spring and Political Change

Are Arabs Capable of Democracy?

The Arab states currently undergoing democratic change will most certainly encounter setbacks. Democracy is not something that can be practiced beforehand, such as under the protective care of a monarchy. Jan Kuhlmann argues why we should give the people in the Arab world the benefit of the doubtMore

The Arab Spring and the ''Nahda'' Reform Movement: The Second Arab RenaissanceNine Months After the Upheaval in the Arab World: Is the Revolution Devouring Its Children?Islamist Protests in Cairo Question Fate of Arab Spring: Consolidating Egyptian Democracy