Society

Fostering in Gaza

Finding parenthood in the wake of destruction

Israel's war on Gaza has left thousands of children orphaned. Amid the devastation, couples unable to conceive are experiencing parenthood for the first time by fostering child survivors.
By Doaa Shaheen
Syria's missing detainees

"We did not expect so few had survived"

The search for the missing is seen by many Syrians as crucial to rebuilding the nation. Mazin al-Balkhi of the International Commission on Missing Persons warns that the scale and arbitrary nature of the killings under Assad pose major challenges.
By Hannah El-Hitami
Sectarian massacre on Syrian coast

"I am the sole survivor of my family"

Survivors of the violence unleashed in Syrian coastal cities in early March tell Qantara their stories. Warning: the testimonies contain details of the indiscriminate killings of Alawite civilians and may be disturbing.
By Mayar Mohanna
Muslims in Germany

In 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.
By Teseo La Marca
Women in Syria

Crafting independence

In Syria, women are reclaiming their independence through creative initiatives, from traditional crafts to community workshops. Four stories of perseverance and hope.
By Mayar Mohanna
Migration to Europe

"Fight the causes of flight, not the people forced to leave"

Afghan-Greek political activist Nasim Lomani is dedicated to supporting refugees. He argues that as long as the EU continues to overlook the realities on the ground, the number of people fleeing Afghanistan will only rise.
By Emran Feroz
Syria's economic recovery

HTS must reject Assad-era neoliberalism

Syrians are facing immense economic challenges—an unstable currency, shortages and a soaring cost of living—while the transitional government doubles down on Assad's neoliberal policies. True recovery demands a new approach.
By Joseph Daher
Women's rights in Syria

Too early for confidence

At the end of February, the highly anticipated National Dialogue Conference took place in Damascus. Did the meeting meet expectations? Karim El-Gawhary talked to women's rights activists on the ground before and after the event.
By Karim El-Gawhary
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.
By Jannis Hagmann
Forensic expert in Syria

"Opening the graves is not a priority"

In Syria, families of those who disappeared under Assad are desperate for answers. But before bodies can be identified, countless files, photos and videos must be gathered. "There is a bureaucracy of the dead," says forensic scientist Luis Fondebrider.
By Hannah El-Hitami
Volleyball in Gaza

Playing without fear

An amateur women's volleyball team in Gaza is offering displaced people a sense of peace amid the destruction. The women on the team dream of a lasting end to Israel's war on the enclave.
By Doaa Shaheen
Syrian architects' group Syrbanism

"For a just reconstruction, the people must have a voice"

Since 2017, Syrbanism has been connecting architects and urbanists across the Syrian diaspora. In the wake of Assad's fall, founders Edwar Hanna and Nour Harastani travelled to Damascus to work on their vision of a democratic reconstruction.
By Max Graef Lakin