Europe
All countries-
France following the attack on Nice
Duty-bound to act
Terrorism is a threat to everyone in France. It′s not a case of ″us against them″: such attacks are also putting the future and safety of Muslims in Western societies in jeopardy. A commentary by Barbara Wesel
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Clothing controversy – the headscarf debate in Germany
For years now, the wearing of headscarves and veils for religious reasons has been the periodic focus of debates and conflicts in public life. We present the key phases of the headscarf debate in Germany.
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Interview with the Croatian-German writer Jagoda Marinic
″Cultural identity is not absolute″
"Made in Germany" is a label that sells. But when it comes to people, how German is Germany today? Croatian-German author Jagoda Marinic explains why identity is fluid – and the far-right so dangerous. Interview by Srecko Matic
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Fasting during Ramadan
Too much of a good thing
Ramadan is like Islam as a whole: from a distance, people are scared of it. But close up, it′s wonderful. If only it weren′t for an uncomprehending majority on one side, and the pious hard-core fasters on the other. By Anja Hilscher
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Interview with French-Indian author Shumona Sinha
″Looking for the truth″
Sinha′s novel ″Erschlagt die Armen!″ is based on her personal experience of working in a French agency where refugees apply for political asylum. Flying in the face of political correctness, the book has now won her a major literature prize. Interview by Sabine Peschel
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The not-so-United Kingdom
A potentially sticky wicket
Although a majority of Asian and Muslim voters rejected a Brexit, about a third did vote for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. Thomas Baerthlein reports from London about their motives – and increasing concerns about the negative fallout of the referendum on all ethnic minorities, particularly Asians and Muslims
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Islam and homophobia
The hatred on our doorstep
Homosexuality is considered taboo in the Muslim community. But no one can expect tolerance if he himself makes a habit of excluding others. Those demanding solidarity must first set an example. By Busra Delikaya
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Turkey and the refugee deal
False friends forever
Germany is facing a crucial question. How can the refugees be stopped? Demonstrating an alarming lack of historical awareness, Chancellor Angela Merkel is putting all her faith in an alliance with Turkey. Yet as events of the early 20th century clearly showed, Germany should never make its political destiny dependent on co-operation with the nationalistic Turkish state. An essay by Stefan Buchen
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Arsalan Iftikhar is the Muslim Guy
″Scapegoats: How Islamophobia helps our enemies and threatens our freedoms″
Human rights lawyer Arsalan Iftikhar is a well-known face on US television networks. Usually pitted against right wing commentators calling for crusades against Islamic countries or tarring all Muslims with the same terrorist brush, he attempts to be a voice of reason. Richard Marcus interviewed him on his recently published ″Scapegoats: How Islamophobia Helps Our Enemies and Threatens Our Freedoms″
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Migration pact with Africa
The EU′s paper tiger
The EU claims that the migration pact with Africa is a completely new initiative. Rather than reshaping patterns of migration, however, Europe′s desperate politics of symbolism would merely seem to focus on stemming the flow. By Ludger Schadomsky
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Bosnia Herzegovina: Mosque of hope
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Boualem Sansal′s novel ″2084: The End of the World″
Tyranny of sorts
In his latest novel, Boualem Sansal, attacks the religious tyranny of Islam, yet fails to comment on the West′s hypocrisy with relation to the fallout of colonialism or recent political involvement. By Iman Humaydan