Society

Afghan idioms and proverbs

"The arrival of the king leads to the downfall of the village"

Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic nation with language rich in idioms and proverbs. These are an integral element of the country's culture, although less familiar to young Afghans these days. The German-Afghan Noor Nazrabi has collected many idioms and published a reference book in German and Dari. Kathrin Erdmann met the author
By Kathrin Erdmann
The death of Abdelwahab Meddeb

A proponent of disloyal loyalty

The renowned Tunisian-French writer and Islam expert Abdelwahab Meddeb died of cancer in Paris on 6 November 2014. He was 68. Obituary by Bettina David
By Bettina David
Interview with Egyptian philosopher Hassan Hanafi

From Velvet Spring to military despotism

Renowned Egyptian philosopher Hassan Hanafi believes it is too early to declare the Arab Spring revolutions a failure. In an interview with Moncef Slimi, he explains why fundamental religious reforms are now necessary in the Arab world
By Moncef Slimi
Sixty years since the beginning of the Algerian war

National fronts?

The Algerian War began 60 years ago. Some eight years later, a new Arab nation came about – and a million Algerians of French origin fled to France. The recent successes of the extreme-right Front National have made these "pieds-noirs" a political factor again, as the fronts of the Algerian War retain contemporary relevance. By Jakob Krais
By Jakob Krais
Women's dress code in Islam

No compulsion to wear the headscarf

The Becharis, a Moroccan family from Frankfurt am Main, place great emphasis on respect and tolerance, an attitude that is illustrated by the fact that mother and daughter each accept that the other has chosen a different path when it comes to the issue of the headscarf. By Canan Topcu
By Canan Topçu
Culturally sensitive care for the elderly

A little bit of home in an adopted country

A number of German retirement homes have discovered that the cultural diversity of their residents and staff is a bonus: people from a number of different cultures can live and work together very happily under one roof. Annalena Junggeburth visited the Haus Andreas retirement home, which is run by the Clarenbachwerk social welfare service in Cologne
By Annalena Junggeburth
Syrian anti-war video "To Our Countries"

Embarrassing media hype

Syrian sisters Faia and Rihan Younan, residents of Sweden since 2003, have triggered a global hype with their peace song "To Our Countries". While western media reaction to the video has been for the most part enthusiastic, the response in the Arab world has been one of scorn. By Martina Sabra
By Martina Sabra
The culture and faith of the Yazidis

Demonised and eternally misunderstood

Their persecution by Islamic State has put the Yazidis in the international spotlight. In her book on the Yazidis, Birgul Acikyildiz provides insights into the culture and faith of this endangered community. By Ulrich von Schwerin
By Ulrich von Schwerin
Independent media in Syria

Flourishing despite the violence

The vibrant alternative media landscape that has developed in the rebel-controlled areas of Syria in recent years is a thorn in the side of both the Assad regime and the radical Islamists. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
The abduction of women by IS

Traded like cattle

Amsha is a young Yazidi woman and mother who was abducted by IS and sold to an armed fighter from the city of Mosul. She told Qantara.de the horrific story of her 25-day captivity at the hands of IS and her successful escape. By Karim El-Gawhary in Dohuk
By Karim El-Gawhary
Interview with Yasmine Merei from the women's magazine "Saiedet Souria"

A new, more self-confident Syrian woman

The magazine "Saiedet Souria" would like to be the mouthpiece for a new generation of Syrian women. Juliane Metzker spoke with editor-in-chief Yasmine Merei about the battle for equal rights under the Assad regime before and after the uprisings in 2011
By Juliane Metzker
Syria's cultural heritage under threat

"Virtually nothing is left"

It is now plain for all to see that the destruction of Syria's cultural heritage is far worse than anyone expected. Michel al-Maqdissi, director of the Archaeological Excavations Department at the Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums from 2000 to 2012, tells Mona Sarkis how dire things really are and of the mistakes made by UNESCO
By Mona Sarkis