The Danish imam Abdul Wahid Pedersen, a committed advocate of dialogue between cultures, has proposed setting up a sharia council in Denmark. In his opinion, an Islamic legal body should be responsible for settling internal Muslim affairs, such as Muslim divorces. The newspaper strongly opposes the initiative. "The idea of setting up a sharia committee sounds plausible, but it's not. It's an expression of unwillingness to accept the history, tradition and values of this country. Denmark is a constitutional state in which the basic principle that all are the same before the law applies. We are not a multi-law society in which special councils or authorities can resolve conflicts within certain sectors of the population." (15/11/2006)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, duński)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Religia, » Światopogląd, » Dania

In the Swiss communes of Wangen and Langenthal, situated in the canton of Berne, the population is questioning the construction of two Islamic minarets. The editorialist Jean-Jacques Roth is in favour of the project which is unleashing the wrath of the far-right party UDC. "Nothing is more precious than secularism, so seriously under threat today from hordes of regressive fundamentalists. But in order to properly defend it and to protect the public space occupied by the religion's inopportune manifestations, the religion should be given the utmost freedom of expression within its natural perimeters: the church and the cemetery. ... By negating the new denominational reality of the country , which Islam participates in quite legitimately, and by turning minarets into an emblem of fanaticism, which they are not, the UDC is not only serving it's own electoral fortune, it is priming fundamentalists ...”. (15/11/2006)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, francuski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Religia, » Światopogląd, » Szwajcaria, » Europa
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Jean-Jacques Roth

Almut Sh. Bruckstein, who teaches philosophy in Berlin and Jerusalem, sees the current division between the Western and Islamic worlds as the "downside of a narrow-minded approach to the history of the origins of Western Europe." She calls for the creation of a Jewish-Islamic academy in Europe. "Why do we need a common institution for Jewish and Islamic culture? Firstly because these traditions share the same philosophic history, the same Islamic-Arab/Jewish-Arab history that played a key role in Europe's tradition of reason and enlightenment and its economic tradition. And also because Christian Europe has rejected both the Jewish and Islamic cultures, but in different ways. It rejects Jewish culture by suppressing it, replacing it with the 'new Israel' and ignoring its (rabbi) continuity while Islamic culture and the traditions of the 'Muslim men' have been marginalised, neglected and completely erased from European education programmes. The perception of these two cultures as enemies is deep-seated in European culture, and frequently no distinction is made between Jews and Muslims." (15/11/2006)

» Strona www (Link zewnętrzny, Süddeutsche Zeitung)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Religia, » Światopogląd, » Europa

The Polish sociologist Lena Kolarska-Bobiñska, director of the Polish Institute of public affairs (ISP), seeks the causes of the political instability in Central and Eastern Europe. Neither Brussels nor European integration are responsible for the alienation of voters. When implementing their reforms, the political authorities [of Eastern countries] did not  sufficiently concern themselves with social dialogue and participation ... . What is happening at the moment should rather be referred to as a 'revolt of the elites'. The masses, in Poland anyway, for the most part support EU integration, whereas the elite in power is on the contrary manifesting  eurosceptism. This revolt of the elites is also brandishing slogans of the liquidation of 'communism's vestiges' and of the investigations into abuse committed during the 'transformations'. This approach once again dominated the recent electoral campaign." (15/11/2006)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, francuski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka UE, » Europa Środkowa
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Lena Kolarska-Bobiñska

Fadi Hakura, Chatham House specialist on Turkish affairs, uses the strategy and tactics of rugby as a metaphor for Turkey's progression towards EU accession. "In this model, Turkish players (the Ankara government and the pro-accession parliamentary coalition) must aim for the goal-line where a try (accession) can be scored (achieved) only by exerting mighty strength in the field to overcome a series of obstacles; among the latter are implementing the acquis communautaire [the complete body of EU legislation], domestic reforms, and structural economic changes; addressing human-rights issues; averting threats of veto; bypassing EU and Turkish sceptics; winning possible referendums; and solving the Cyprus conundrum. Along the way, the Turks have to calculate, anticipate and plan for the movements of the opposing teams of member-states. These contests offer a range of challenges from adversaries with a variety of styles ... ." (13/11/2006)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, angielski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Rozszerzenie UE, » Polityka UE, » Turcja
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Fadi Hakura

The day after the presentation of the European Commission's work programme for 2007, the daily harshly criticises the action of the institution's president, José Manuel Barroso. "His desire to create a 'Europe of results' does not suffice to mask the fact that the European Commission has chosen to leave in the hands of national governments the task of sorting out the issue of the constitutional imbroglio. And Barroso's position according to which it is impossible to pursue EU enlargement without the ratification of the Constitution was reflected yesterday in the way he pat himself on the back for the accession of Romania and Bulgaria on January 1st, 2007 without mentioning the safeguard clauses adopted by the commission. .... The political reserve shown by the Commission since José Manuel Barroso's arrival to presidency two years ago could weigh heavily on the EU's near future." (15/11/2006)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, hiszpański)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka UE, » Europa

The daily paints a portrait of the German Hans Gert Poettering, candidate from the European People's Party (EPP), for the presidency of the European Parliament. "Poettering belongs to the conservative wing of the Christian Democrats. He advocates reference to God in the Constitution. Poettering was also one of the 'killers' of Guy Verhofstadt's [Belgian Prime Minister] candidacy for the presidency of the European Commission. The influential members of his group consider that he has a tendency to overestimate his power. He is an ardent public speaker, but he has yet to prove himself flexible. One of the Parliament's foremost tasks under Poettering would be the confirmation of Bulgarian and Romanian commissioners in the commission. This will however be less easy than predicted. Martin Shultz [president of the Socialist Eurogroup] has called the 'multilingualism' post allocated to the Romanian candidate 'unworthy for the commission'. He would prefer a commissioner for 'minorities'." (15/11/2006)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, niderlandzki)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka UE, » Europa

Wolfgang Böhm is appalled that Poland is blocking the cooperation agreement between the EU and Russia. "Poland's nationalist government is demonstrating how to undermine common policies and systematically drive the EU to the brink of ungovernability. The Kaczynski brothers' backward-looking leadership is blocking an important agreement with Russia for the sake of national interests and trying to sway public opinion in Poland against the introduction of the euro. This was not always the case. Poland, which even during its accession negotiations was not afraid to defend its own interests, was usually willing to make a constructive contribution to finding solutions to problems. But now Warsaw has replaced the excellent diplomats it once had in Brussels with petulant puppets and is making all Europe suffer the consequences of its unreasonable querulous stance." (15/11/2006)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, niemiecki)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Stosunki międzynarodowe, » Polityka UE, » Polska, » Rosja, » Europa
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Wolfgang Böhm

On Sunday, November 12th,Chrysostomos II, the new Archbishop of Cyprus was enthroned. The daily ponders the role played by the church in Cypriot society. "He[Chrysostomos II] made it very clear that as Archbishop he would insist the Church played its traditional part, demanding a say in education and setting the conditions for an acceptable settlement of the Cyprus problem. He also promised to sort out the financial mess he had inherited and to focus on the spiritual guidance of the faithful. But it is the role he wants to play in education and the national problem that should cause concern, as it shows a certain contempt for the secular state we have been trying in vain to establish ever since independence. The new Archbishop, like his predecessor, does not believe in the secular State, which is the norm in all Western democracies, on the grounds – no doubt – that the Church has an important part to play in our national survival." (14/11/2006)

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Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Religia, » Światopogląd, » Cypr

Independent candidates did very well in Poland's local elections on November 12. In major cities like Breslau and Posen, politicians without a party card won the first round of mayoral elections. Sociologist Jacek Raciborski takes a closer look at this trend. "In a democracy, not belonging to a party usually puts a politician at a disadvantage. However, in Poland they take a different view of things. This is probably a legacy from communist times when not belonging to a party was a first step towards opposition to the regime. It was even better when a politician was expelled from a party. However, when a mayor is independent, the risk of nepotism, corruption and autocratic government is increased rather than reduced. These politicians tend to build up their own team of supporters consisting of local interest groups, media, public figures and officials. In this manner, to use the words of the governing PiS [Law and Justice Party], local networks are built up creating their own system of concealed interests." (14/11/2006)

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Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Polska

Journalist Tomas Sachr comments on emissions trading in the Czech Republic: "The British government's report on the economic repercussions of climate change has shaken the world, and more and more countries are now prepared to take active measures to reduce emissions. However, the Czech state plans to do the opposite. Despite the fact that carbon dioxide emissions in the Czech Republic went down to 82 million tonnes last year, the Czech government wants to apply for an allowance of 102 million tonnes per year. Why? Apparently because forecasts predict that the country's emissions will increase as a result of economic growth." According to Sachr, the problem is that many EU countries are doing the same and this could undermine the efficacy of the whole system of emissions trading. Companies that produce less carbon dioxide than estimated can sell their 'certificates' to other companies that are above their limit. However, because there is a surplus of carbon dioxide certificates, they are going down in value. "The low value of the certificates is undermining companies' motivation to reduce their emissions, so it's getting to the point where the whole system doesn't make sense any more." (15/11/2006)

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Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Środowisko, » Handel, » Przedsiębiorczość, » Czechy
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Tomas Sachr

The English-language channel of the Arab TV news channel al-Jazeera starts broadcasting today. Jerzy Haszczynski takes a critical view of the enterprise. "It's hard to say whether the channel will be popular in the West, whether it will become a mouthpiece for values that are alien to our culture, or whether it will help us to understand the Arab and Islamic world. ... Broadcasting the speeches of Osama bin Laden is not just conveying information. His words are filled with hate against the West and incite thousands of frustrated people in the Muslim world to take action... It would be good if the English-language al-Jazeera showed a different fact. It would be good if it didn't try to convince us that terrorists are really martyrs fighting for a just cause." (15/11/2006)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, polski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Media audiowizualne, » Cały świat, » Bliski i Środkowy Wschód
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Jerzy Haszczynski

Satirists on Italian television are not appreciated by the Vatican. Georg Gänswein, one of Pope Benedict XVI's advisers, expressed this in the Catholic daily 'Avvenire', thus provoking a polemic in the peninsula. The editorialist Francesco Merlo responds, considering that we have the right laugh about anything. "Nobody is beyond the reach of Satire, and no doubt God either, who is an object of satire 'par excellence', because he offers so much material, the infinite perfection of Man, for example. The idea of exorcising satirists from television with holy water seems more like a gag than a threat ... . Satire has no boundaries, the entire world is one big pretext for satire ... . Let it be added that it is easy to satirise the Pope. Everyone has their weak spots, even the best, even the infallible, we are all vulnerable ... . The danger only ever comes from those who know not how to laugh." (15/11/2006)

» Strona www (Link zewnętrzny, La Repubblica)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Media audiowizualne, » Religia, » Światopogląd, » Włochy
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Francesco Merlo

The Maltese artist and columnist Kenneth Zammit Tabona considers culture that is sensitive to Islamist reaction. "I am convinced that the cartoon issue [Muhammed cartoons controversy] was an orchestrated affair of organised rabble-rousing with a purpose; the purpose being to seriously inhibit creativity for fear of unleashing the furies and imposing a relentless self censorship for fear of reprisal. It is carrying political correctness to a ridiculous degree where one ends up writing, directing, painting or composing as if mincing through a minefield. The result being anaesthetised, innocuous concoctions that have no connection with what goes on in real life for fear of treading on someone's sacred toes. ... [Islamist extremists] must learn that they cannot hold our minds to ransom or jeopardise our culture. Our culture was achieved after millennia of thinkers, philosophers and revolutions gave their very lives to achieve freedom of thought for us all." (14/11/2006)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, angielski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Sztuki piękne, » Literatura, » Muzyka, » Religia, » Światopogląd, » Cały świat
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Kenneth Zammit Tabona

The German film directors Christian Petzoldt, Angela Schanelec, Valeska Grisebach and Matthias Luthardt all belong to what is known as the "Berlin School" of film. Hans-Georg Rodek explains that "this school of film takes its name from that fact that all these directors – from Luthardt, born in 1972 to Petzholdt, born in 1960 and the oldest among them – have now truly arrived in Berlin, as has the reality of the new, unadorned republic. And reality is the Berlin School's key word – even if it's not the kind of reality captured on the streets with a shaky video camera... The members of the Berlin School are not polemicists, they're observers. They don't examine reality to reproduce it, isolate it or examine its psychological aspects, but to convert it into an artificial form which passes reality through a sieve until it reaches its purest form. Reduction serves as the sieve; there's not much talking, the acting doesn't use expressive gestures, and the editing is kept to a minimum. The members of the Berlin School shun the manipulative devices of filmmaking and, like ethnologists, tries to make themselves invisible so that their presence doesn't distort the results of their research." (15/11/2006)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, niemiecki)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Film, » Niemcy
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Hanns-Georg Rodek

The Italian writer Roberto Saviano, who has received death threats from the Neapolitan mafia because of his work, 'Gommorra' - an investigative book on the Camorra -, explains in an interview conducted by Laura Lucchini why he chose to take an interest in the subject. "I think that a writer should be obsessed by each of his or her books. If I had chosen to write about horses, I would have imagined their muscles, their tendons, their speed and a plethora of equine metaphors. But I chose to write about my times and the human condition via the Camorra. I have nourished an obsession for these stories, since I have been a victim of them myself, as I was born here."  A posteriori, Roberto Saviano will not however be signing another such book. "Not because of the threats, but because of everything they have set off: the behaviour of editors and close friends and family. Solidarity is just an empty word." (12/11/2006)

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Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Literatura, » Włochy
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Roberto Saviano