red dot Design Award (2009)

"The Golden Book" by Rüdiger Nehberg's human rights organization TARGET, based near Hamburg, has been awarded the "red dot", one of the most coveted design prizes in the world, for its sophisticated and innovative design. The outstanding design of the book, which was created by TARGET co-founder Annette Weber and designer Stefanie Silber (Bad Säckingen), was recognized. The seal of quality is awarded annually in three categories as part of the international "red dot design award" competition. In the "red dot award: communication design", the jury of 18 top-class international experts had to decide on 6,112 works from 42 nations this time. 471 of the more than 12,000 entries received awards.

TARGET fights for the abolition of female genital mutilation. The archaic custom is practiced in 35 countries, mainly in Africa and Asia, with 8,000 victims every day. "The Golden Book" is an elaborate volume of religious and medical arguments against the ritual, which Muslims like to compare with the Koran. TARGET has the book distributed exclusively and free of charge to the prayer leaders in the mosques as a basis for sermons. It is based on the historic conference at Azhar University in Cairo, which the organization hosted in 2006. The highest Islamic scholars there outlawed the custom as a crime incompatible with their religion. TARGET plans to publish four million copies in the long term. 100,000 books have already been printed by GGP-Media (Thuringia) and 50,000 have been shipped to East Africa. Distribution for Ethiopia is currently underway.

"I am delighted that a book for imams has won a prize," emphasized Annette Weber. She had made a point of giving "The Golden Book" a gold trim and many decorative elements in Arabic style.