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DEUTSCHE WELLE/DW-WORLD.DE Newsletter

Programme Preview for November 30, 2007


DIALOGUE


The Chaldean Patriarch of Baghdad has become Iraq's first ever cardinal

Last weekend, twenty-three new cardinals were sworn in by Pope Benedict XVIth in Rome - among them Emmanuel III Delly, the Chaldean Patriarch of Baghdad. The Chaldean Church came into existence as a result of Catholic missionary activities in eastern Syria during the seventeenth century. Unified with Rome later on, it became the biggest Christian community in Iraq where eight dioceses exist at present. Ever since the US led military intervention began, their situation has continually worsened under sectarian strife - claims Germany's Society for Threatened Peoples. (Interview: Angelika Ditscheid/ Tilman Zuelch)


The difficult plight of Iran's ancient Zoroastrian religion

Iran is home to the Zoroastrians who practise one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions. Founded by Zarathustra approximately 2600 years ago, it served as the official state religion under ancient Persian dynasties. But after the country was conquered by Muslim warriors and Islam was adopted as the official religion during the seventh century, Zoroastrianism became the religion of a minority. Its members enjoy a certain degree of protection, but they are not allowed to freely practise their religion in public. (Report: Arian Fariborz/ Voice: Rick Fulker)


Egyptian bureaucracy versus religious freedom

What do you do when you are an Egyptian, but not a Muslim, and you need a passport in order to travel abroad? You can only acquire a passport once you have filled out a form inquiring about your religion. Writing "Bahai" or "Converted Christian" into this particular field is not allowed. Leaving the space blank is also prohibited. (Report: Esther Saoub/ Voice: Cheryl Northey)


How does the debate over religious values affect German schools?

People in Germany can enjoy religious freedom, but recent debates over the building of mosques or over the wearing of headscarves by schoolteachers have shown that the outward symbols of belief are not always regarded with such liberality. These discussions have also left their mark on the education system. (Report:Tina Gerhaeusser/ Voice:Michael Lawton)


Esterwegen - once a concentration camp, now a Franciscan convent

When thinking of Nazi Germany's concentration camps, one automatically thinks of Auschwitz, Buchenwald or Bergen-Belsen. Esterwegen is lesser known. That camp located in Lower Saxony's Emsland, once served as a prison for political opponents rather than Jews. The Catholic Church has vowed to keep the memory alive - by establishing a new convent for Franciscan nuns there. Their task is to help people understand what happened at Esterwegen during the Nazi regime. (Report: Talin Dilsizyan)


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