Most recent articles by Claudia Mende
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Interview with Imam Benjamin IdrizQuestioning tradition
Muslims are not only permitted to ask critical questions of their theology; it is actually necessary – the opinions of scholars distort the view of the Koran, says Benjamin Idriz, imam of the mosque in Penzberg, Upper Bavaria, in conversation with Claudia Mende
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Germany′s integration debate revisitedPiling on the pressure
What exactly does integration mean? And just how much allegiance may a society demand of its migrants? Such questions are currently the topic of vigorous debate – especially following the recent referendum result in Turkey. Expecting that migrants should do all the adapting in order to conform to the majority society will, however, only stir up conflict, warns Claudia Mende
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Mona Siddiqui on Brexit, Muslims and the migrant issueHow do you welcome someone?
The recent influx of refugees into Europe, seen by some as threatening its secular and liberal identity, triggered a wave of right-wing populism. Mona Siddiqui, professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Edinburgh, is nevertheless convinced that the continent is still strong enough to pull back from the anti-Islamic rhetoric. An interview by Claudia Mende
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Churches in Syria after the fall of East AleppoTime for a new beginning
Christian Churches in Aleppo have welcomed the government troops' victory. But after five years of war, it is important that they abandon the paradigm that the Assad regime is the protector of religious minorities and work tirelessly to overcome the religious divide. By Claudia Mende
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Disabled refugee children in JordanThe lesser-known victims of war
Syrian refugee children with disabilities and war injuries are especially in need of help. The Al Hussein Society in Jordan offers them more than just therapeutic support; it also promotes the participation of people with disabilities in society. A report from Amman by Claudia Mende
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Eco-tourism in JordanGuests of the Bedouin
The Feynan EcoLodge in southern Jordan is one of the few socially and ecologically sustainable tourist destinations in the Middle East. The project, managed and run by a group of local Bedouin, gives visitors an intriguing insight into a culture in transition. Claudia Mende reports from Feynan
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European Islamophobia ReportWake up to the danger!
Scholars have for the first time published a comprehensive overview of anti-Muslim racism in 25 European countries. Attacks against Muslims and their institutions have increased considerably since 2015. Politics and civil society need to finally take this development more seriously. By Claudia Mende
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Islam and violenceSelf-proclaimed jihadists
Does Islam have a violence problem? With their terror in the name of Islam, the jihadists have plunged an entire world religion into a crisis of legitimacy. Although Islamic scholarship has mechanisms at its disposal to limit the violence, these are no longer effective in this current era of globalisation. By Claudia Mende
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Protecting women from violence in JordanFor a self-determined life
Under pressure from women′s organisations, several women′s refuges for survivors of domestic violence have been set up in Amman. As long as the state continues to offer insufficient protection, initiatives like Lina Khalifeh′s "Shefighter" will focus on strengthening the individual. By Claudia Mende in Amman
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Interview with the Islamic scholar Ebrahim MoosaThe reinvention of Islam
Concepts like apostasy or blasphemy reveal that Islamic theology is caught in a mode of imperial Islamic political thinking, says US-based scholar Ebrahim Moosa. What is needed is a process of critical appraisal. Moosa asks that Muslims rediscover the great lessons of diversity in their history rather than following the reductionist versions that masquerade as Muslim theology today. Interview by Claudia Mende
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Interview with the Egyptian DJ Mohammed SafiVoice of the people
Cairo is a mecca for lovers of Arab underground and independent music. Although the government and the Egyptian Music Syndicate are constantly trying to intimidate bands and eliminate critical texts, Cairo′s music scene retains something of the spirit of the Egyptian revolution. Claudia Mende interviews Egyptian DJ and musician Mohammed Safi
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The French crime writer Karim Miske in interview″There are no simple solutions″
In the wake of the Paris attacks, the question is how such an outbreak of hate and violence could have happened in France. French crime novelist Karim Miske described life in the desolate banlieues of Paris in his novel ″Arab Jazz″. In interview with Claudia Mende he advises against simplistic answers and talks about the difficulties French society has in accepting its immigrants, who feel more French than Arab