Mashriq
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Islamism and Secularism after the Arab Spring
Muslim's Multiple Modernities
For Muslim societies, the way to democracy will inevitably involve religious politics, says Nader Hashemi in his essay. And for historical reasons, he argues, Muslim societies will develop different concepts of democracy than the ones common in the West
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The Egyptian Artist Ali Abdel Mohsen
The Natural Pessimist
Ali Abdel Mohsen is one of the young, original, and generally irreverent artists who appeared as if out of nowhere in the aftermath of the 2011 revolution and who have completely altered the Cairo art scene. A portrait by Claudia Mende
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Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
The Heavy Burden of the Open Borders Policy
The crisis of the Syrian refugees is growing day by day in neighbouring Lebanon. State institutions are neither able nor willing to deal with the situation. Bjorn Zimprich talked to Guita Hourani, Director of the Lebanese Emigration and Research Center, about the plight of the refugees and the social problems the refugee crisis is creating for Lebanon
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After the Arab Revolutions
Islamic Modernity
An enormous whirlwind of change has been unleashed by the upheavals in the Arab world and the long-term effects are unforeseeable. A middle course will have to be charted between the precepts of Islam and the demands of revolution. By Rainer Hermann
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Islamic Archeology
Samarra, Centre of the World
With his excavations in Samarra, the German archaeologist Ernst Herzfeld founded "Islamic Archaeology". On the 101st anniversary of his excavations in the city, which is situated in modern-day Iraq, a special exhibition marking his work has opened its doors in Berlin. By Jannis Hagmann
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The Uprising of Women in the Arab World
Fighting Patriarchal Tyranny
The group "The uprising of women in the Arab world" is taking a courageous stand for gender equality. However, the activists face significant resistance: from old ways of thinking, patriarchal chauvinism – and even from Facebook. Laura Overmeyer reports
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Impoverishment of the Egyptian Middle Class
A Frustrated People
The middle class forms the core of the pro-democratic movement in Egypt. But the economic downturn and the country's uncertain political future are threatening its existence. Markus Symank reports from Cairo
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Interview with Mohamed Morsi
''We Don't Want a Theocratic State''
"We believe in a modern state, in which the transfer of power takes place peacefully and in which democracy and freedom prevail." With these words, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi expressed the sentiment that his country does not wish to become a theocratic state. Here is the full interview of President Morsi with Markus Bickel and Rainer Hermann
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The Arab Hip-Hop Sampler ''Khat Thaleth''
Looking for a Third Way
The hip-hop sampler Khat Thaleth is a compilation of the work of artists from across the Arab world. Contrary to what one might expect, although they rap about the revolution, they do not necessarily take the side of the rebels. Jannis Hagmann reports
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Saladin Ahmed's ''Throne of the Crescent Moon''
An Arab-American Fantasy Epic
Saladin Ahmed's fantasy novel "Throne of the Crescent Moon" is inspired by One Thousand and One Nights. In his review, Richard Marcus says the epic adds much needed diversity to the fantasy genre
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Marching against al-Maliki
Has the Arab Spring Arrived in Iraq?
Iraq's government is falling apart. While the president of the country is being treated for a serious illness in Germany, both the national parliament and the government back home are dysfunctional and in disarray. Birgit Svensson reports from Baghdad
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Alexander Flores's ''Civilization or Barbarism?''
Islam in the Historical Context
In his book, Alexander Flores confidently clears the decks of received wisdom on the Muslim faith. Flores limits his monograph to essential information and in doing so, avoids both apology and polemical discourse in equal measure. By Stefan Weidner