Europe
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Hollywoodʹs flirtation with 1001 Nights
The Aladdin controversy
Currently a worldwide blockbuster, the latest Aladdin movie hoped to do a better job of the story than the 1992 animated Disney film, which features a number of racist stereotypes when viewed through todayʹs lens. Is this likely in view of the Aladdin storyʹs dubious origins? Stefan Weidner provides some background
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Political crisis
Sudanʹs deadly counter-revolutionary militia
In the struggle between demonstrators and the military for a civilian-led state, the successors to Darfur’s notorious Janjaweed militia could end up as the cats that got the cream. That the group is financed by autocratic Gulf states makes it even more suspect. Karim El-Gawhary reports from Khartoum
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The Netherlands' migrant parties
Representing the new Europeans
In a decade marked by significant shifts in the political landscape, Sundayʹs European elections could well prove an eye-opener. Massimiliano Sfregola assesses the chances of Dutch "new Europeans" to make an impact
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Interview with Middle East expert Volker Perthes
"Iran will not negotiate its own surrender"
Political scientist Volker Perthes on the American strategy in the nuclear row with Iran, the prospects for a regime change and the question of whether Europe can still salvage the deal. Interview by Paul-Anton Kruger
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European-Libyan relations
Whom to trust when it comes to Tripoli?
Although the European Union declared its clear support for Tripoliʹs internationally recognised unity government, French officials seem to be playing both sides. And as protesters in Libya demand an end to all French interference, General Khalifa Haftar continues to advance. By David Ehl
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The politicisation of Islam scholarship in Europe
Muslims under scrutiny
Muslims are facing intense scrutiny by academic researchers. A wide variety of disciplines are involved. But are contexts and outcomes being reflected upon with a sufficiently critical eye? By Joseph Croitoru
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Uighur repression
Pandering to President Xi
In the absence of international censure, China has stepped up its systematic persecution of Muslims, under the dubious pretence that it is fighting "terrorism" and protecting its economic interests. But more than just an attack on human rights, the crackdown is representative of President Xi Jinping's totalitarian ambitions. By Brahma Chellaney
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"Godʹs Revelation in the Word of Men"
A Koran for the 21st century
With the first in a series of 17 planned commentaries on the Koran, editor Mouhanad Khorchide from the University of Munster builds a bridge between traditional readings of the Koran and modern scholarly interpretation. Musa Bagrac read the book
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Interview with Islamic scholar Stefan Weidner
Thinking outside the Western box
In interview with Rachid Boutayeb, Stefan Weidner complains that even the most critical thinkers of Western tradition have practically never looked beyond their Western horizons. Islam, Indian religions and philosophies of non-European cultures are virtually absent from this thinking
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Refugee camps in Libya
Guilty of torture and rape by association – Europeʹs dirty secret
An increasing number of refugees are being tortured and raped in Libya, a new study has found. The perpetrators, motivated by greed, sadism and the desire for power, include local European Union partners. By Nermin Ismail
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Post-Christchurch debate on religion and terrorism
Who is responsible for the violence?
The question of whether religious texts are interpreted in a tolerant or a hostile way is closely tied to the historical context in which the interpretation takes place. The responsibility for terrorism lies first and foremost with people and not with the religious texts themselves, says Assem Hefny, a lecturer at Al-Azhar University
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Countering U.S. sanctions with INSTEX
Europe throws Iran a line
In an attempt to salvage the Iran nuclear deal, Germany, France and Britain recently set up a new vehicle of non-dollar trade with the Islamic Republic. The policy is diplomatically valid, but in economic terms it may well prove too little, too late. By Maysam Behravesh