Netherlands
All countries-
Saudi Arabia and Iran
Defeat Islamic State - or become it
The dawn of 2016 has brought a new round of doomsday predictions that Saudi Arabia’s ruling Al Saud family cannot sustain its autocratic grip on power. The kingdom, pessimists argue, is caught in a perfect storm with economic problems, social challenges and foreign policy crises all converging at the same time. By James M. Dorsey
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Arabic Europe
The writers fated to "represent"
There is a common expectation that writers with non-European origins will supply a literary representation of their birth culture. But many of them find themselves adrift between two cultural entities. Is it merely a question of focusing on one at the expense of the other? Marcia Lynx Qualey met the "Arabic Europe" authors featured at this year's Shubbak Festival in London
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Non-fiction: ″Angst ums Abendland″ by Daniel Bax
The apocalyptics of the West
In his book "Angst ums Abendland" (Fears For the West), taz journalist Daniel Bax presents a detailed examination of why contemporary Europe should not be afraid of Muslims, but of Islamophobes. A review by Emran Feroz
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The Virtual Iftar Project
"It is harder to ignore, vilify or harm those with whom we have broken bread"
The Virtual Dinner Guest Project is an international multimedia initiative that brings people across various cultures together at the dinner table. Breaking bread and barriers in one go, this platform launched the Virtual Iftar Project across Europe during the month of Ramadan, which has just ended. Roma Rajpal Weiß spoke to the project founder, Eric Maddox, about the project and about cultural tension between Muslims and non-Muslims
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Ayaan Hirsi Ali's controversial theories on Islam
Hailed as a "female Luther"
Ayaan Hirsi Ali has just published her latest book "Heretic" in Germany. Her work has been received with enthusiasm in Germany, where she was courted by the media and even described as a "female Luther". She probably has more in common with him than is comfortable for many. By Emran Feroz
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Cairo International Book Fair 2015
Navigating the jungle
70 million books, 47 participating countries, 850 publishers ... and all for an admission price of just under ten cents. After 46 years, the Cairo International Book Fair is not only the oldest in the Arab world; with one million visitors, it is also the second largest book fair on the planet. By Amira El Ahl in Cairo
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Democracy and freedom of speech
Charlie and Theo
In the wake of the Paris attacks, many people were quick to view the killings as a direct attack on democracy and to claim that freedom of speech is absolute. In this essay, Ian Buruma explores the principles of free speech and tolerance
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Immigration and the new class divide
Feeding on people's grievances
In this essay, Ian Buruma explores what it is that American Tea Party enthusiasts, Russian chauvinists, right-wing populist Dutch and Danes, and Singaporean leftists have in common and why this common ground is driving anti-immigrant sentiment around the world
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"Peace is the Future" meeting in Antwerp
A world in flames
Representatives of the world's religions came together at the Community of Sant'Egidio's international peace meeting in Antwerp in September to discuss peace. Despite the sobering testimonials and the awareness of the horrors being committed around the world in the name of religion, there were clear signs of hope. To the surprise of many, the Grand Mufti of Egypt spoke out plainly against the barbarism of Islamist terrorist groups. By Daniel Deckers