European Islam
All topics-
Interview with Ingrid Mattson
″Muslim youngsters need genuine role models″
Muslim youngsters are often unsure as to the real nature of Islam. They need role models within their own communities who are prepared to stand up with self-confidence to extremist ideologies. Ingrid Mattson, a Canadian scholar in Islamic Studies and former president of the largest Muslim organisation in Northern America, spoke to Claudia Mende
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Book review: "The Kindness of Enemies" by Leila Aboulela
Crises of identity and loyalty from Scotland to the Caucasus
In her engrossing fourth novel, "The Kindness of Enemies", the Sudanese-British writer Leila Aboulela tackles themes of identity, jihad and Sufism. She does so through two parallel narratives, one set in contemporary Scotland and Sudan, the other in nineteenth-century Imperial Russia and the Caucasus. By Susannah Tarbush
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The rights of Muslims in Germany
Protected by the German constitution
The situation in Germany is different to that in Austria: Germany lacks the conditions to pass a Law on Islam. Nevertheless, as Daniel Deckers points out, the German constitution, known as the Basic Law, provides a framework for all religions and already offers Muslims many freedoms – more than they have in countries where Islam shapes the legal system
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Interview with Rachid Boutayeb and Michael Roes
A trans-cultural dialogue on enlightenment
Writers Rachid Boutayeb and Michael Roes demonstrate how inter-cultural dialogue can be conducted without relinquishing the claim to enlightenment. Their debate has been published in German and in book form by publishing company Alibri and is entitled "Der eifersuchtige Gott" (The Jealous God). Martin Bauer spoke to both authors about origins, foreignness and their shared interest in enlightenment
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Interview with author and essayist Pankaj Mishra
"Secularisation has really created a void of understanding"
Societies around the world are in turmoil, with religious and social groups pitted against each other in many countries. Examples include the Arab Spring, social revolt against oppressive regimes, the rise of IS, the call from some in Europe for Islam to reform, and the emergence of right-wing movements such as Pegida. Julis Koch spoke to Indian author and essayist Pankaj Mishra about the root causes of this tension and lack of understanding
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Tolerance and religious freedom in France
Fighting radical Islam with lessons in secularism
The French government wants to send imams and non-Muslim civil servants to classes in secularism and religious freedom in an attempt to prevent home-grown extremism and promote tolerance. Elizabeth Bryant reports from Lyon on a programme that is paving the way
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Rapprochement between Erdogan and the Turkish Army
Short-term tactic or long-term strategy?
One of the main achievements of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been to stop the Turkish Army meddling in politics. In the past few months, however, the president seems to have begun allying himself with the army in what could be a major realignment in Turkish politics. Dorian Jones in Istanbul considers whether this is a tactical or a strategic change in policy
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Interview with Martha Nussbaum
Overcoming narcissistic fears
Martha Nussbaum is one of the best-known American philosophers of our time. Her book: The New Religious Intolerance. Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age was recently published in German. Ceyda Nurtsch spoke to her
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Interview with Harry Harun Behr
"I don't know how Mohammed can be offended"
The Muslim religious educator Harry Harun Behr promotes openness in theology. Stefan Toepfer spoke to him about violence, teaching Islam, the fight against radicalisation and the "Charlie Hebdo" caricatures
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Muslims and the Paris attacks
European Muslims must speak as one
Islam will continue to be equated with brutality until such time as the Muslims of Europe stand together as a group that not only protects its religiousness, but also projects a positive image of its religion, says Jordanian writer Mousa Barhouma
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Launch of the digital television channel Alchemiya
A dose of positivity in dark times
A new London-based media start-up seeks to counter the warped portrayal of Islam. The digital television channel Alchemiya intends to showcase only positive content. Sounds a bit cheesy? Perhaps it is, says Jannis Hagmann, but it just might be a smart business idea and one that will catch on
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The death of Abdelwahab Meddeb
A proponent of disloyal loyalty
The renowned Tunisian-French writer and Islam expert Abdelwahab Meddeb died of cancer in Paris on 6 November 2014. He was 68. Obituary by Bettina David