Society

Middle East

Lebanon: Influencers join together to fight hate speech

A group of 20 social media influencers in Lebanon is seeking to de-escalate political tensions and overcome sectarian problems. Their outreach is impressive among the young and tech-savvy population. By Jennifer Holleis and Razan Salman
By Jennifer Holleis, Razan Salman
Middle East

Young Arabs: "more Israeli and more Palestinian than ever"

May 2021 saw a deadly flare-up in Israel-Hamas hostilities, with eruptions of extreme violence in several of Israel's 'mixed' cities. Two weeks later, a broad-spectrum governing coalition – the first to include an independent Arab Israeli party – was formed. Noam Yatsiv reflects on this year's rollercoaster of events with Thabet Abu-Rass, co-director of NGO Abraham Initiatives
By Noam Yatsiv
First ever antidiscrimination chatbot

Meta: standing up to racism

Former lawyer Said Haider has invented a chatbot for those seeking advice on anti-discrimination issues – Meta is the first chatbot of its kind in the world. In conversation with Qantara.de, Haider talks about the development of Meta, his experience of discrimination and Meta's future prospects
By Schayan Riaz
Syria

Idlib: Collapsing Turkish lira makes life harder than ever

The Turkish lira is in freefall – with devastating consequences for people in the Syrian region of Idlib. 46-year-old Khadija needs two jobs to provide for her family
By Diana Hodali
Islam in Germany

Imam Idriz – "We need to allow controversial discussion"

Benjamin Idriz, imam of the mosque in Penzberg near Munich, is one of the most prominent representatives of Islam in Germany. He sees his role as building bridges to mainstream society without surrendering his own Muslim identity. In interview with Claudia Mende for Qantara.de, he argues that the mosque should be a place of open discussion where controversial opinions are possible
By Claudia Mende
War in Yemen

Death to journalists

Journalists are under fire from all factions in the Yemen conflict. Rasha Abdullah al-Harazi, nine months pregnant, recently died in a car bomb attack in Aden, her husband barely survived. Just one of many, as Diana Hodali reports
By Diana Hodali
Murder of women in Turkey

Femicide requires harsher sentencing

According to lawyers and women's rights activists, the prison term for the murder of women in Turkey is not long enough. They argue that the brutality of the crime should carry more weight during sentencing – and hope thereby for a deterrent. Burcu Karakas reports
By Burcu Karakaş
Middle East

West Bank: Palestinians harvest olives under rabbi protection

Almost every year, during olive harvest season, Palestinian farmers are at risk from settler-related violence. Israeli human rights organisations like Rabbis for Human Rights help with their presence. Tania Kraemer reports
By Tania Krämer
40th anniversary of the death of Shia scholar Allameh Tabatabai

The modest scholar of Qom

Right up until his death, Allameh Tabatabai dedicated himself to the revival of Shia Islam’s intellectual traditions. But few in the West have even heard of this exceptional philosopher. A portrait by Marian Brehmer
By Marian Brehmer
Climate heroes in Iraq

A life for the trees

It is getting hotter and hotter in Iraq. Fifty degrees or more is no longer a rarity. The state between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers is now one of the hottest countries on earth. Muwafaq Mubareka from Baghdad is determined to fight global warming. Birgit Svensson paid the climate hero a visit
By Birgit Svensson
Interview with Islamic reformer Mustafa Akyol

"Islam needs its own enlightenment"

Turkish author and journalist Mustafa Akyol is one of the foremost pioneers of an Islam reconciled with modernity. Musa Bagrac spoke with Akyol for Qantara.de about his new book "Reopening Muslim Minds: A Return to Reason, Freedom, and Tolerance" and the chances for Islamic reform
By Musa Bagrac
Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis

Can the Taliban avert a food crisis without foreign aid?

In view of the catastrophic supply situation in Afghanistan, UN authorities are sounding the alarm. Inflation and growing poverty are exacerbating the situation. The Taliban reportedly have an emergency programme to combat the crisis. By Shabnam von Hein
By Shabnam von Hein