Sharia
All topics-
Interview with the Coptic activist Emad Gad
''Egypt is inexorably developing into a theocracy''
Emad Gad is a leading member of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party and vice-director of the Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo. In this interview with Ute Schaeffer and Loay Mudhoon, he criticises the Islamization course being steered by Mursi's administration and explains how Egypt's liberal parties could act as a counterweight to the Islamists
-
Inter-Islamic Cultural War
The Despondency of the Political Middle Ground
Despite their poor results in elections, the Salafi movements have succeeded in putting their stamp on the policies of the Islamic mainstream - and moderate Islamists continue to react towards the Salafis with a certain degree of despondency. Samir Farangiya reports on the phenomenon of the new inter-Islamic cultural war
-
Interview with Nader Hashemi
On the Compatibility of Islam and Democracy
In this interview with Lewis Gropp, Nader Hashemi, a leading scholar on Islam and secularism, says that the two are far from being incompatible – and that the West has to accept its share of responsibility for the revival of anti-democratic forces in the Islamic world
-
Anti-Islamic Film Riots
A Culture of Religious Fanaticism
Responses to the inflammatory anti-Islamic film currently seen in Arab and Muslim nations are much worse than the film itself. These expressions of extremism are destroying all decency and civilised behaviour. A commentary by Khaled Hroub
-
Interview with the Tunisian lawyer Yadh Ben Achour
''Tunisia is in a phase full of contradictions''
Yadh Ben Achour is the winner of the 2012 International Democracy Award Bonn. The Tunisian lawyer and expert on constitutional law told Chamselassil Ayari how Islamist forces are gaining strength in his country
-
Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid on American Islam
Islamophobia as an Integral Part of the Political Platform
The general mood in the United States has grown increasingly intolerant towards Muslims. Charlotte Wiedemann was in New York and spoke with Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid, Afro-American and President of the Islamic Leadership Council, on the mood in this election year and about his criticism of some Muslims for what he sees as opportunism
-
Maria TV in Egypt
Fully Veiled and on Air
Maria TV in Egypt has been on air for a month. Women completely covered in veils go on camera to deliver tips on topics like marriage and beauty. The success of the ultra-conservative broadcaster suggests a turn in Egyptian society
-
Textbook on Islam for German Schools
Conflicts between Tradition and Modernity
The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia is introducing a schoolbook that introduces pupils to Islam. But is the teacher in it going to wear a headscarf or not, and is correct to use the Arabic term "Allah" for God? Ulrike Hummel reports
-
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
-
Interview with Feridun Zaimoglu
''Germany is Making Itself a Laughing Stock''
Circumcision is a stipulation of the Prophet and therefore non-negotiable. In an interview with Eren Güvercin, Feridun Zaimoglu makes a resolute plea for the impunity of this Jewish and Muslim ritual
-
Islamic Law and Ethics
''We Are Calling for a New Interpretation of the Koran''
A new research centre in Qatar seeks to focus more attention on the ethical dimension of Islam. The founders of the centre and its director, Tariq Ramadan, are calling for a new interpretation of the Koran in order to advance a contemporary Islamic understanding of matters such as environmental ethics and gender issues. Christoph Dreyer spoke to the centre's deputy director, Jasser Auda
-
The Circumcision Debate in Germany
A Miscalculation
Is it possible to justify a Cologne court's ruling on the legality of circumcision on the basis of Germany's Basic Law? In this essay, Patrick Bahners takes a closer look at both the Basic Law and the ruling and concludes that the judges in Cologne must have made a serious error of judgement