Imprisoned Uighur human rights activist Ilham Tohti has been awarded the Sakharov prize 2019 for human rights by the EU Parliament. His daughter Jewher Ilham, who lives in the U.S., will receive the prize on his behalf and spoke to Max Sander ahead of the ceremonyMore
Wall, fences and checkpoints have become a way of life in the West Bank. But now innovative start-ups are using digital means to overcome borders and connect people across the territory. By Manuela Kasper-ClaridgeMore
Every year German-Iranian artist Parastou Forouhar travels to Iran to commemorate her parents who were killed by secret service agents. This year, the funeral service coincided with the nationwide protests in Iran. Interview by Farhad PayarMore
A young Turkish woman was recently brutally murdered on her way home – one of 430 women killed in 2019 alone. Women's rights organisations are calling for better protection, but the government is doing almost nothing. By Daniel Bellut and Burcu KarakasMore
Unable to travel to Munich to attend the presentation ceremony for his Geschwister-Scholl Prize, writer Ahmet Altan penned a message against hatred and nationalism from his prison cell in Turkey. Read out by his close friend Yasemin Congar, it formed his acceptance speechMore
Basma, Jad and Ma'zooza are about to join the Sesame Street family. The trio of new Arabic-speaking characters will help teach children in the Middle East to read and write, as well as process the trauma of displacement. Diana Hodali reportsMore
Equality in divorce, a ban on polygamy: reformers of Islamic family law have a clear agenda. They are exploiting the ambiguity of traditional jurisprudence. By Joseph CroitoruMore
In recent weeks, Turkish society has been rocked by a spate of suicides. Three families used cyanide to kill themselves – the reason: economic problems. According to the opposition, the ongoing economic crisis in Turkey is driving people to their deaths. By Daniel Derya BellutMore
Raids on Egypt's last independent news outlet, Mada Masr, have left its staff shaken but defiant. Reporters are working under "increasingly hostile" circumstances in Cairo, reveals journalist Sharif Abdel Kouddous in interview with Diana HodaliMore
Decades of oil exports have completely destabilised culture and politics in the Middle East. Speaking with Lena Bopp, the renowned writer Amin Maalouf says that the distorted political discourse in the Arab world is now impacting on the WestMore
The Greek government has vowed to do something about its overcrowded island migrant camps. Transfers and stricter asylum legislation were meant to provide the answer. But things are not getting much better, as Max Zander reports from the island of LesbosMore
Anti-Muslim racism means more than just discriminating against Muslims. It is an ideological worldview that pleads for the restructuring of society and more control in the view of the "Islamic threat". Those who do not bow to right-wing demands are deemed guilty of Islamisation. By Ozan Zakariya KeskinkilicMore
France is locked in a row over Islam, Islamophobia and the headscarf. But one key voice is almost completely missing from the debate – that of the women who wear the veil. By Nadia PantelMore
An interview with the Iranian-American historian and cultural philosopher Hamid Dabashi about writing, Europe's past and present, right-wing populism and the Arab uprisings. By Tugrul MendeMore
Since 2003, Iraq has achieved little in the way of gender equality within the political establishment. Not one woman has held an important executive or leadership position and to date all three presidential administrations and their representatives have comprised men. By Manar AlzubaidiMore
More than 4,300 people have been arrested in Egypt amid anti-government protests. One of them is Esraa Abdel-Fattah. Human rights groups and even a U.S. diplomat are calling for her release. By Sarah SalamaMore
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 YogyakartaMore
Indiaʹs constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, but the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not care. Run by Hindu-supremacists, it is enforcing aggressive anti-Muslim policies. By Arfa Khanum SherwaniMore
In her latest book – "Der lange Abschied von der weissen Dominanz" – recently published in German, journalist Charlotte Wiedemann describes the upheaval in our changing, multi-polar world with startling clarity. By Christopher ReschMore
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 EbbighausenMore
Those looking to visit a leather factory In Morocco should visit the tanners' quarter in the town of Fez. For tourists the ancient craft may be fascinating, for the workers, however, it is extremely exhausting. By Stefanie Hoppner
Hashtag Islam: How cyber-Islamic environments are transforming religious authority
In "Hashtag Islam", Gary Bunt – a pioneer of the study of Islam and the Internet – provides readers with cutting edge analysis of how technology influences the dissemination of Islamic thought, mobilisation and networking.More
Iran's racism problem
As anti-racist protests continue to spread across the globe, we draw attention to the plight of the Afghan community in Iran, often referred to as the country's "unwelcome guests".More
Remembering the author and sociologist Albert Memmi
The Tunisian-French author and sociologist Albert Memmi died last week at the age of 99. His life's work on de-colonisation, emigration and displacement remains highly relevant.More
Iran's deep societal divisions
Every day in Tehran, thousands of devout Shia Muslims visit mausoleums honouring their martyrs or other places linked to the Islamic Revolution. But on the streets, a younger generation is scorning the country's strict rules.More
What Islamic hygienic practices can teach us when coronavirus is spreading
The recent Netflix docuseries “Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak” illustrates how the Islamic ritual washing, known as "wudu", may help spread a good hygiene message.More
India's Khasi matriarchs
In the Khasi tribe, an indigenous community of 1.3 million people living in the state of Meghalaya in northeast India, women enjoy a special status. A matrilineal society for centuries, it is one of fewer than 500 left in the world. But in a country where patrilineal structures are now more common and male children are preferred, it's a way of life at risk of disappearing.More
Pew Research Center offers mini course on Muslims and Islam
With an estimated population of 1.8 billion, Muslims are the world’s second-largest religious group, after Christians. But our surveys have found that about half of Americans – as well as most Western Europeans – say they know little or nothing about Islam.More
Food for thought: Providing jobs for Gaza’s widows
Palestinian women prepare to make maftool, as part of a project to help widows in Gaza provide for their families.More
Interview with Iranian activist Shaparak Shajarizadeh
Iranian activist and co-author of "Freedom is not a crime", Shaparak Shajarizadeh relates how she got "fed up with living a lie" and decided to take off her veil in Iran as an act of civil disobedience.More
Asia Bibi: "I forgave all those who harmed me"
Sentenced to death for blasphemy in 2010 and acquitted eight years later, Asia Bibi looks back on the argument that caused her arrest, as well as on the ordeals endured over the ten years she spent in jail in Pakistan.More
Algeria to fund hundreds of students to study at Irish university
In a bid to replace French with English in its tertiary level education, the Algerian government is to fund hundreds of PhD students to study at Ireland's University of Limerick (UL) under a deal estimated to be worth up to €20 million.More
Saving Egypt's Jewish heritage
Two Egyptian women have come together to save the country's lost Jewish heritage. Magda, who is Jewish and Marwa, who is Palestinian and Muslim, meet weekly to clean, rescue and repair books, synagogues and cemeteries.More
Yemen's disabled
Many disabled people in Yemen have not only survived years of armed conflict, but are also among the most marginalized people in a country that is currently experiencing – according to the United Nations – the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.More
Sands of time: a century of Egyptian photography – in pictures
These images of everyone from presidents to paupers show the tourist’s view of Egypt that we know – and the backstreets we don’tMore
Water is life: Environmental protection
Water is one of the most important elements of our planet. As a source of life, it is also one of the commons most threatened by the way we use it. In cooperation with Afaq Magazine, Goethe Institut Perspectives showcases initiatives, ideas and possible solultions for the MENA region.More
BBC Radio 4: Islam and science - Part 1
Writer and journalist Ehsan Masood explores the status of science in the modern Islamic world, and asks whether measures taken to promote science are having an impact on the working lives of Muslim scientists.More
France's ongoing hijab debate
France's on-off row over the Muslim headscarf is on again. With March municipal elections on the way, President Macron told MPs from his own party not to let the far-right own the conversation on secularism, radicalisation and sectarianism. We ask what the law says and what the French want.More
Building bridges with Islam in Japan
With hoodies and scarves covering their heads, a group of Japanese high school students point and whisper in awe upon entering the main hall of Tokyo Camii, as Muslim worshippers prostrate beneath a glittering dome set against a bright sky.More
Young Muslims cross Australia to challenge misconceptions about Islam
A group of young Australian Muslims are embarking on a rural expedition across the country to challenge misconceptions about their faith. The road trip will see the young men from six cities visit more than 50 rural towns on the way to a gathering at Uluru.More
Religions for Peace participant emphasises role of women
Delegates from around the world are attending the inter-faith meeting Religions for Peace in the southern German town of Lindau. DW's Aya Ibrahim met a Tunisian participant, who says women have a special role to play when it comes to religion a peace.
Indigenous, Mexican and Muslim
For decades, hundreds of Muslims have been forging their own identity in predominantly Catholic southern Mexico. Catholicism was brought to the mainly Maya indigenous region during the Spanish conquest, and in recent decades evangelical Christians have increased in number, but Muslims from Spain also came to Chiapas in the 1990s, bringing their religion with them. Soon locals began to convert, and now many fuse indigenous culture with Islamic customs.More
Re-educating the Uighurs in Xinjiang
The BBC gains rare access to the vast system of highly secure facilities thought to be holding more than a million Muslims in China’s western region of Xinjiang.More
Asma Afsaruddin: Contemporary Muslims and the challenge of modernity
Contrary to popular belief, Muslims are firmly a part of the modern world and are grappling with the challenges of modernity in myriad ways. Many of them are navigating modernity’s sometimes uncharted waters with creativity and imagination, re-engaging with their tradition and revisiting their history.More
Citizenship and belonging in Germany
From the academic research of Naika Foroutan to people’s opinions off the street, we went on a hunt to figure out who is a “real German.” Listen to this array of voices talk about identity in a way that you may even be able to relate to personally.More
Female architects on the rise in the Middle East
Taking inspiration from the success of star architect Zaha Hadid, who died in 2016, a new batch of ambitious female architects is hoping to take the region by storm.More
What does it mean to be a Muslim woman?
Mariam Khan, editor of "It's Not About The Burqa", and three of the book's contributors answer questions from 'Which Muslim woman inspires you the most' to 'What is one thing people need to know about being a Muslim woman?'More
BBC Reel: The synagogue cared for by Muslims
In India after World War Two, the city of Calcutta was home to 5,000 Jews. Muslims there have been the caretakers of synagogues in India for generations. Kalpana Pradhan reports.More
"Eco-mosque" opens for prayers in Cambridge, UK
The architects behind the UK's "first green mosque" say the building will be a "cultural bridge" for Islam in Britain in the 21st century. Cambridge Central Mosque, in Mill Road, cost £23m and has capacity for 1,000 worshippers. The mosque opened for prayers after more than a decade in the planning.More
Sermon given by Imam Gamal Fouda of the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch
It is one week since the deadly attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Imam Gamal Fouda of the Al Noor mosque gave this sermon during Friday prayers held in Hagley Park.More
Jose Casanova: The principles of religious pluralism
Specifying three principles, religious sociology expert Jose Casanova from Georgetown University argues that tolerance needs to begin with the recognition of religious diversity and plurality.More
Berlin's first public Arabic library
Meet the Syrian student keeping Arabic culture alive in the heart of Berlin.More
Iran's dating revolution
In a country bound by strict Islamic law, more Iranians than ever before are staying single. The government is so concerned that it has set up an online dating agency. Shaunagh Connaire went to Tehran in 2016 to find out about dating, Iranian style.More
Palestinian-American chef Reem Assil: "Creating a sense of belonging"
In this episode of Cooking in America, Sheldon Simeon is in the kitchen with chef Reem Assil, sampling some typical Palestinian cuisine at Dyafa in Oakland, California.More
The once mighty Tigris and Euphrates
For thousands of years, two famous rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates, made Iraq one of the most fertile regions in the Middle East. These days, the future of both rivers is in danger.More
Salafism in Germany: What you need to know
Salafism has a long history, with a path stretching from the Prophet Muhammad and the first three generations of Muslims all the way to present-day Germany. We take a look at this multifaceted movement of Islam.More
"Us and them: Diversity, division and a world of difference"
Open societies and liberal democracies are no longer merely ideas: they have become reality, argues Aladin El-Mafaalani in his lecture on "Open society and social closure".More
