Germany
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German academiaWhen neutrality becomes complicity
German scholars of the Middle East often wear the mask of political neutrality. But both Western philosophy and the classical Islamic tradition insist that knowledge carries an ethical duty. A call for moral responsibility.
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Ismail Küpeli's "Graue Wölfe"A danger left unchecked
Thousands of right-wing extremists of Turkish origin live in Germany. Violent and deeply embedded, they remain largely ignored by politicians. In his book "Graue Wölfe" (Grey Wolves), Ismail Küpeli takes a closer look at the movement.
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Islam and AITranslating the sacred
Technology can make life easier for believers, but its relationship with religion has fundamental limits. Artificial intelligence may be able to translate the Qur'an, but can it grasp its meaning?
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Islamic theologyAgainst toxic masculinity
Islamic and Christian theologians at the University of Münster are analysing concepts of masculinity. Their research brings together religious and social scientific findings, ensuring the conversation isn't left only to social media influencers.
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Filmmaker Monika Borgmann"Syria needs a culture of justice"
Monika Borgmann has spent decades documenting Lebanese and Syrian prison systems. Her 2016 film "Tadmor" found new resonance after Assad's fall. She discusses Syria's future and her fight for justice after the murder of her husband, activist Lokman Slim.
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Weapons exports to Israel"Unlawful arms export licences have likely been issued"
Germany remains one of Israel's top arms suppliers, a situation likely to persist under Friedrich Merz. According to Lilian Löwenbrück from the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, politicians and manufacturers could face charges for complicity in crimes against international law.
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Germany's new governmentMerz, Netanyahu and the reason of state
Under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Germany is expected to double down on its support for Israel, even if it means sidelining international law. Domestically, repression of Israel's critics is set to intensify.
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Pankaj Mishra on Germany, Israel and Palestine"An anarchic, nihilistic world"
The West, particularly Germany, has instrumentalised Holocaust remembrance to justify state violence, argues Pankaj Mishra. A conversation on suppressed colonial histories, Western complicity in Gaza and Germany's role in the erosion of international law.
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Stefan Weidner on pre-Islamic poetry"Poetry in its true fullness"
Stefan Weidner has gathered pre-Islamic poems and translated them into German. His new book "The Arabic Divan" revisits these centuries-old works and explores how their verses serve as a vibrant predecessor to today's social media.
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Muslims in GermanyIn search of a political voice
Trust in politics has plummeted among German Muslims, as seen in recent voter turnout. While some online preachers argue voting is haram, imams in Berlin are actively campaigning for political participation.
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Musician Michael Barenboim on Gaza"Nothing justifies genocide"
Violinist Michael Barenboim, leader of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, calls for an arms embargo against Israel and argues that the German media has failed in its responsibilities. He tells Qantara how he balances art and activism.
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"The Seed of the Sacred Fig"The story of an Oscar nomination
Shot and set in Iran, "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" is this year's Oscar nomination from Germany. The film deftly portrays political and intergenerational conflicts in Iranian society but ignores the Kurdish origins of the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement.