Society

Marking the anniversary of Rumi's death in Konya

From traditional to lifestyle Sufism

In 1925, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk had the Sufi orders shut down. In modern-day Konya, the city council uses whirling dervishes in its marketing campaigns. Marian Brehmer on Islamic mysticism in Turkey
By Marian Brehmer
Christmas in Israel

Culture war over the Christian holiday

Christmas is becoming increasingly popular among secular Israelis. It spreads a festive atmosphere that promotes understanding between people of different faiths. Orthodox Jews, however, view the holiday as a threat. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022

Did LGBTQ rights campaigns in Qatar help or hinder?

Protests by Western activists at the FIFA World Cup may have backfired and sparked a backlash against gay, lesbian and queer communities in Qatar, critics say. By Cathrin Schaer
By Cathrin Schaer
Best of Qantara.de 2022

Our readers' favourite articles this year

At the end of every year, the team at Qantara.de gives you a run-down of the ten most-read articles on the site over the past 12 months. Here is a quick overview of the stories that attracted the most attention in 2022. Happy New Year to all our readers!
Jesus and Mary in the Koran

The message of mercy

Jesus – Issa in Arabic – doesn’t merely enjoy the highest place among the prophets in the Koran. He is also revered in Islam’s mystical tradition for his message of love and mercy. By Aziz Fooladvand
By Aziz Fooladvand
Women's rights in Qatar

Driving emancipation forward

During the World Cup in Qatar, much has been written about the role of women in the Gulf state, yet they themselves rarely get a word in edgeways. Karim El-Gawhary spoke to two Qatari women in Doha
By Karim El-Gawhary
Istanbul's migrant culture

Turkey's megacity is no melting pot

Istanbulites take pride in being the world’s melting pot and its natural outcome: having a bustling abundance of international cuisine. Visiting restaurants opened by recent migrants is often, however, a step too far. Ayse Karabat reports
By Ayşe Karabat
Migrating to Germany

Turks up sticks as prospects worsen at home

Inflation, poverty, and no freedom of expression: as the political and economic situation in Turkey worsens under Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s increasingly autocratic government, more and more Turks are fleeing to Germany. Elmas Topcu reports
By Elmas Topcu
Gender rights and "Pink Bike"

Gaza ladies' bicycle club

After helping her daughter survive cancer, Rania Shaik has dedicated herself to bringing joy to the women of Gaza by letting them loose on two wheels. Ziad Ali reports
By Ziad Ali
Pakistani cuisine

Lahore’s maverick restauranteur

Welcome to Baking Virsa, a hole-in-the-wall in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore described as the country’s most expensive restaurant for what it serves – household favourites like flatbreads and kebabs
Qatar, Israel and the Palestinians

Middle East conflict impacts World Cup

With reported hostilities against Israeli journalists and the flag of the Palestinian territories flying on the streets and in the stadiums, it is clear the World Cup in Qatar is not apolitical. By Stefan Nestler and the DW team in Qatar
By Stefan Nestler
Human rights and migration

Why older Algerians risk the small boats to Spain

Nouara may be 65, but she is ready to join thousands of others who burn their ID and pay traffickers for the chance of a new life in Europe. Zineb Bettayeb reports
By Zineb Bettayeb