Society

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
The jihadi fighters of IS

"Jihadism has become a German phenomenon"

German jihadists are participating in Islamic State's war of terror. Security forces fear they could also pose a threat to the country. Guido Steinberg is an expert on Islam and Islamism. He has written a book about Germany's jihadi fighters. Bettina Marx spoke to him about the country's home-grown fighters
By Bettina Marx
Interview with Navid Kermani

"One should take the religious façade seriously"

The writer Navid Kermani spent a week in mid September travelling through Iraq, visiting a number of different parts of the country. In this interview with Kersten Knipp, he speaks of his impressions of the country and some factors that have led to the rise of IS in Iraq
By Kersten Knipp
On the death of the Egyptian activist Ahmed Seif al-Islam

An indomitable fighter and visionary

Ahmed Seif al-Islam was one of Egypt's most important human rights activists. He died in late August at the age of 63 following a heart operation. An obituary by Andrea Backhaus in Cairo
By Andrea Backhaus
Muslim boy and girl scouts in Germany

A commitment to peaceful coexistence

As part of an international youth movement, members of the Federation of Muslim Boy and Girl Scouts of Germany want to make their own specific contribution to peace and understanding. The organisation has existed since 2010. By Arnd Zickgraf
By Arnd Zickgraf
Debate about the role of Muslims in fighting Islamist terrorism

IS is not just a Muslim problem

Why do so many people in Germany assume that Muslims automatically sympathise more with the terrorists of IS than with those who are helping their victims? And why is so little notice being taken of the countless statements made by Muslim theologians and intellectuals who have distanced themselves from the terrorists' appalling acts? A commentary by Katajun Amirpur
By Katajun Amirpur
The Congress "Horizons of Islamic Theology"

A disintegration of Islam?

Academics from all over the world met to debate Islam at the congress "Horizons of Islamic Theology" in Frankfurt in early September. But the event was overshadowed by the acts of terror being perpetrated in the name of the faith by Islamic State and other extremist organisations. By Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende