Indonesia
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Biodiesel production
Destroying Indonesia's virgin forests to protect the climate?
Germany continues to believe in the fiction that palm oil obtained from South East Asia to blend with diesel fuel is ecologically sound and climate-friendly. But that belief is mistaken, as Inge Altemeier and Stefan Buchen found out
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Coronavirus in the Islamic world
In lockdown over COVID-19
With borders closing and the opportunities for international travel shrinking by the hour, we take a look at coronavirus developments across the Middle East and the wider Muslim world
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Coronavirus in the Islamic world
The challenges of COVID-19
As the global economy reels and everyday life grinds to a standstill, we take a look at the spread of coronavirus across the Middle East and the wider Muslim world – and the containment measures being put in place
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2020 Singapore Art Week
Of spirituality in a contemporary age
How to talk about spiritual matters in a highly secularised, hyper-pragmatic society? This was the question artists exhibiting at the Stamford Art Centre in Singapore grappled with during the 2020 Singapore Art Week. By Naima Morelli
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Ruud Koopman's "Das verfallene Haus des Islam"
Cherry-picking for a distorted image of Islam
Why are predominantly Muslim countries lagging behind when it comes to democracy and human rights? Dutch sociologist Ruud Koopmans uses a lot of figures to underpin his theory that it is all down to religion. According to Daniel Bax, however, his approach is rather too simplistic
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Human rights in the Islamic world
Battle cry "blasphemy"
Many predominantly Muslim countries have penal laws against "blasphemy", "defamation of religion" and "apostasy". In practice they serve as highly effective weapons to settle personal animosities, family vendettas and land disputes. By Thomas Krapf
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Interview with Malaysian artist Nadiah Bamadhaj
Freeing the body from conservatism
One of the most relevant Malaysian artists of her generation, Yogyakarta-based Nadiah Bamadhaj uses sculpture, drawing, collage and video to challenge the restrictive societal norms in Southeast Asian countries and explore body politics. Interview by Naima Morelli
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Indonesia's village of rubbish sorters
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Interview with Indonesian author and feminist Feby Indirani
"God is my partner in crime"
Described by some as a Muslim feminist, Feby Indirani’s writing is daring and light-hearted at once. Her collection of short stories – "Bukan Perawan Maria" – recently translated into Italian, parodies the inconsistencies of radical Islam and orthodoxy, while seeking to emphasise the humanity we all share. Interview by Naima Morelli
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Social unrest in Southeast Asia
Indonesian women demand their rights
In Indonesia, social resistance is mounting against a law banning sex before marriage and the government's weakening of the anti-corruption authorities. A report by Zora Rahman from Yogyakarta
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Islamism in Southeast Asia
Islamic State's latest breeding ground
A recent knife attack on the security minister of Indonesia is a reminder of the danger of Islamist extremism in Southeast Asia. Security measures alone are not enough to combat radicalisation, say experts. By Rodion Ebbighausen
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Around the world of Islam