Hamburg seals the deal with Muslim residents

It’s an historic pact. After five years of negotiations, the city-state of Hamburg will sign a contract with its Muslim citizens. It sets out in black and white the rights and duties of Muslims living in the city. It’s the first time that Muslim holy days will be recognised in Germany on equal terms with Christian ones, a significant step in recognising Islam as part of German society. Our correspondent went to Hamburg to see what the mood was like at this year’s Eid festival.

FOCUS

PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

Fatah looking for fresh start at first convention in 20 years

More than twenty years after Fatah's last convention, two thousand delegates of the Palestinian movement meet in Bethlehem in a bid to restore some of the legitimacy lost since the death of their late leader Yasser Arafat.

PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

Gaza settlers, an unresolved problem

In 2005, Israel pulled out of the Gaza strip as part of a disengagement plan that left Israelis divided. Four years on, nothing has really changed or improved for former settlers in the region, some of whom consider themselves refugees.

31/07/2009 - GREECE

Wildfires hit southern Europe

Southern Europe has been hit by devastating wildfires this summer, with tens of thousands of hectares of countryside ravaged and countless homes damaged. Arson has not been ruled out. Focus on the situation in Greece and Spain.

MOROCCO

Casablanca, symbol of a two-tier country

In the past decade under Mohammed VI, Casablanca, the kingdom's economic capital, has become the symbol of a Morocco on the move. But behind the luxury cars, business centres and fashionable shops, inequalities are deepening.

30/07/2009 - ETHIOPIA

The Awramba community, a beacon of hope

Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world but amid poverty and desperation shines a very bright beacon of hope. In the small village community of Awramba, women and men have the same rights.

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