Salafis | Salafism
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Civil War in Syria
Assad's Final Days Could Go on for Years
Syrian blogger Jasmine Roman comments on the war going on in her country, a conflict that has become a confessional one – and that could go on for years even after the toppling of Assad
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The Gulf Monarchies and the Arab Spring
Counter-revolution in the Gulf
Far away from the attention of Western media, the oil-rich Gulf monarchies are currently trying to avoid being hit by the wave of uprisings and revolutions in North Africa and the Middle East. So far, they have not only been successful in doing so, they've even managed to exploit the uprisings for their own purposes. Matthias Sailer reports
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Controversy Surrounding the Al-Zaytuna Mosque in Tunis
The Ambivalent Revival of Islamic Traditions
Among the signs of a gradual cultural turnaround in the countries of the Arab Spring is the conflict that has been simmering for several months regarding the revival of the old Islamic school at the Al-Zaytuna Mosque in Tunis. By Joseph Croitoru
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Hezbollah and the Uprising in Syria
Can the ''Party of God'' Weather the Arab Spring?
For many years, Hezbollah's popularity across the Arab and Muslim worlds seemed unbreakable. Long seen as the defender of those oppressed by Israel and America, its reputation has clearly taken a dent as a result of its support for President Assad in Syria. It now finds itself at odds with those across the Arab world seeking democracy and civil rights. An analysis by Paul Salem
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The Response to the Salafist Movement in Germany
Heavy on Populism, Light on Strategic Thinking
Many intelligence officials in Germany are baffled by the political response to the Salafist movement. As far as they are concerned, there is too much populism, not enough strategic thinking, and ineffective communication to boot. Albrecht Metzger reports.
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The Shia-Sunni Conflict
The Most Deadly Religious War of our Time
Preachers like the Sunni legal scholar Yusuf Al-Qaradawi or the Shia Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati are propagating sectarian hate and exacerbating the divide between Islam's two major denominations. In this essay, Stefan Buchen explains how the religious war they have helped to unleash within Islam is having a catastrophic effect on the Greater Middle East
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Salafist Propaganda in Germany
Mass Conversions in Public Places
The Salafists are distributing copies of the Quran in Germany and making a big noise on the Internet about converting new followers to their cause. The country is now high up on the list of priorities for the Salafist movement, writes Josef Croitoru
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Egypt after the Presidential Election
The Military Hands over Power ... to Itself
For most people in Egypt, it was at best unlikely that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces would ever voluntarily cede power to a civilian president after the election. Nevertheless, few would have predicted the latest twist in the plot of Egypt's ongoing electoral drama. A commentary by Karim El-Gawhary
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Salafi Muslims
Doctrinaire Severity
Despite their doctrinaire severity, Salafi Muslims have never developed a coherent system of beliefs nor sustainable organizational structures. They have always been a divided community. Rudolph Chimelli provides background information
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Prison Sentence for Egyptian Actor Adel Imam
Curbing Cultural Expression
The sentencing of the famous Egyptian actor Adel Imam for allegedly offending Islam in one of his films spotlights the latest bout of power posturing by Muslim hardliners and the increasing threat to freedom of expression on the Nile. A report by Amira El Ahl in Cairo
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Salafists in Germany
Heading for ''Urban Terrorism''?
Until now, German public perception of the Salafists placed the phenomenon firmly on foreign soil. Recent events involving followers of this radical school of Islamic thought such as the distribution of copies of the Koran in German cities and violent clashes with police have raised some concerns, but how dangerous are the Salafists in reality? Answers from Albrecht Metzger
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Qatar's Foreign Policy
Small Emirate, Potent Influence
During the Arab uprisings, the emir of Qatar may well have become one of the most influential leaders in the Arab world. Stephanie Doetzer takes a look at the religious, political, social, economic and geographical factors that shape the creative foreign policy of the tiny Gulf state of Qatar