Al-Zaytuna Mosque
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Ez-Zitouna UniversityHelping to shape Tunisia's religious future
After decades of secular state leadership, many Tunisians would like Islam to play a greater role in the social and political life of their country. Some feel that Islamic scholars at Ez-Zitouna University could take on the role of mediator in this process. Reporting from Tunis, Carolyn Wißing has the details
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The decline of Islamic scientific thoughtDon't blame it on al-Ghazali
Academics are correct in pinpointing the exact period in which Muslims began turning away from scientific innovation – the 11th century – but in Abu Hamid Al Ghazali they have identified the wrong person. By Hassan Hassan
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TunisiaReligion's Political Role Expands
Many in Tunisia fear that religious radicals are gaining too much influence over the country's political discourse. The governing Ennahda party, however, has to find a way to appeal to both secularists and Islamists. Katharina Pfannkuch reports from Tunis
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Aftermath of Political Assassination in TunisGovernment Opponents Are Put to the Test
Following the assassination of Mohamed Brahmi, the streets of Tunisia are filled with protesters. The political opposition and civil society are facing their greatest challenge since the revolution. Katharina Pfannkuch reports from Tunis
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Al-Azhar and Pan-Islamic RationalismThe Demise of Islamic Centres of Moderation
The spread of extremism in Muslim societies in the past century can be attributed to a largely overlooked trend: the demise of religious institutions that once had global reach. Focusing on Egypt's Al-Azhar university, Hassan Hassan takes a look into the matter
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Interview with Abdelwahab Meddeb''The Islamists Are Not Ready for a Democratic Culture''
The Tunisian-French author Abdelwahab Meddeb is a critical observer of political developments in Tunisia and Egypt. In this interview with Ceyda Nurtsch, he explains why the Islamists are not creating a liberal culture of discussion and why he is sceptical about the concept of an Islamic democracy
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Controversy Surrounding the Al-Zaytuna Mosque in TunisThe 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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Tunisia after the ElectionsEnnahda and the Challenges of Democracy
In the recent Tunisian elections, the Islamist Ennahda party ended up way ahead of its competitors. The Tunisian philosopher Jameleddine Ben Abdeljelil says the way the party has developed internally makes it possible that it will be able to play a constructive role in a pluralistic and democratic system