A new loosely organised movement is earning respect among the proponents of Islamic democracy. Distancing itself from militant Islamism, the movement regards itself as a "New Centre" and aims to combine the principles of good governance with the preservation of cultural authenticity. By Gudrun Krämer
Aboubakr Jamaï is one of the most prominent representatives of Morocco's independent press and holds the 2010 Gebran Tueni Award of the World Association of Newspapers. He speaks to Claus Josten about his criticism, not only of the Moroccan government, but also of the role of Europe and the USA in the Moroccan situation
The Arab democracy movement sets great store by its independence and now fears that the intervention in Libya will come with a high price tag: it could rob their protest of its legitimacy. Layla Al-Zubaidi comments
Al-Azm is among the most critical of Arab thinkers. In an interview with Mona Naggar he sheds light on the role of intellectuals during the Arab Spring and the current state of protest movements in the region
Does the Koran really demand that women wear headscarves? Or is it mainly older men who claim they can decide how women should dress – with no theological foundation whatsoever? For the Islam scholar Lamya Kaddor, there is no question about it: the headscarf is obsolete
Precious Javanese manuscripts are being restored and digitised through the combined efforts of a team of German and Indonesian scholars to ensure their preservation for future generations. By Anett Keller
The Jewish Moroccan writer Edmond Amran El Maleh died last year at the age of 93. The Moroccan National Library in Rabat is now dedicating a major exhibition to this anti-colonial freedom fighter and patriot. Regina Keil-Sagawe reports
A whole shop window full of banned books: Tunisia's literary life is blossoming after the end of Ben Ali's dictatorship. In the old days, every book had to be approved by the interior ministry – now critical works are selling like hot cakes. By Lena Bopp
The German-Syrian painter Tarek Marestani is out to capture the integration struggles of young immigrants on canvas. A traveling exhibition is already being planned for his work. By Sabine Ripperger
Maïssa Bey is one of Algeria's most prominent writers. Her novels deal with the division and turmoil of the country's past and present. When she talked to Martina Sabra, however, she also had a thing or two to say about the role of Europe
Protests against the burning of a Koran in Florida have continued in Afghanistan. Thomas Ruttig from the Afghan Analysts Network talks about the riots, which killed more than 20 people over the weekend. More...
The anger of the Tunisians and the Egyptians towards the autocratic regimes in their countries has triggered an unprecedented revolt in several states in the Arab world. Our dossier provides an insight into the factors that led to the unrest and an overview of current developments. More ...
By coincidence, Banipal's fortieth issue celebrates Libyan literature at this extraordinary historical moment of uprising and change in the Arab world. Click here for more...
