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Father of post-colonial studies

Edward Said – exiled between cultures

When people think of Edward Said, the first thing that generally comes to mind is his criticism of Orientalism. As a result, the theme of exile – which played no less significant a role in Said's writing and life – is often overlooked. By Tarek Azizeh
The Oriental adventures of Hermann von Puckler-Muskau

Prussia's favourite dandy

Prince Puckler was one of the principal landowners in 19th century Prussia. Yet, his passion for landscape gardening brought him to the brink of financial ruin. His literary career provided some monetary relief, especially his travelogues, which also led him on a journey to the Egypt of Muhammad Ali Pasha. By Christine Pfeilschifter
Goethe and Islam

Religion has no nationality

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe may have had his reservations about Islam – as he did about Christianity – and he certainly wasn′t shy of criticising it, but his credo was without doubt built on the foundations of non-negotiable tolerance. By Melanie Christina Mohr
Interview with Kurdish author Bachtyar Ali

"I only exist where my words take flight"

Among Kurds, Bachtyar Ali has long been a celebrated author. In Germany, he shot to fame when ″Der letzte Granatapfel″ (The Last Pomegranate) was published. Recently, "Die Stadt der weißen Musiker" (The City of White Musicians), the second of his novels to be translated into German, was released. Interview by Sonja Galler
Bachtyar Ali's novel "Die Stadt der weißen Musiker"

Poetry and truth

Bachtyar Ali, probably the best known contemporary novelist and poet from the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan, has produced a major novel about art and reconciliation. It has recently been translated into German and is proving a major success. By Stefan Weidner
The Barenboim-Said Academy

Barenboim′s 'new medicine'

The conductor Daniel Barenboim has been bringing musicians from Israel and Arab countries together for many years. Due to open in the autumn, his academy in Berlin will allow them to develop their musical skills – as well as some new initiatives for peace. Interview by Gero Schliess
Obituary: Oud virtuoso Said Chraibi

A genius bows out

Said Chraibi was famous throughout Morocco as an icon of traditional music and a genius with the Arab lute. The virtuoso oud player died in Casablanca on 3 March at the age of 65. An obituary by Suleman Taufiq
Anouar Brahem

Music Requires Time

The music of Tunisian oud player and composer Anouar Brahem is rich in contrasts, calm and flowing, varied and compact, traditional yet open. Brahem's work is an art form, based on models, but free of dogmas. Ralf Dombrowski reports
Non-fiction: Stefan Weidner on the future of the West

Next-level cosmopolitanism

With this major work, Stefan Weidner presents an impressive historical and philosophical canvas depicting the battle for the West. His aim is to help us bid farewell to the West as we know it and attentively curate its legacy. By Reginald Grunenberg
Film review: "Free Trip to Egypt"

Into the great unknown

The idea of taking a group of US citizens from Trump's America on a free cultural exchange trip to Cairo, Egypt, sounds like either a lunatic plan or somebody's idea of a bad practical joke. Yet this is just what Tarek Mounib did. The film "Free Trip To Egypt" documents how he came up with the idea and implemented it. By Richard Marcus