Society

Richard W. Bulliet's "Methodists and Muslims: My life as an Orientalist"

The agency of historians. Or what Edward Said missed out on

Is it legitimate for a historian to compare 11th century Nishapur with 20th century Rockford, Illinois? What possible motive can there be for studying Middle Eastern societies if you have no biographical ties with the region? Eminent Middle East historian Richard Bulliet answers these and other questions in his witty memoir "Methodists and Muslims: My life as an Orientalist". Sonja Hegasy read the book
By Sonja Hegasy
Islamophobia in Germany and Europe

European Muslims face increased online and physical attacks

Muslims in Europe regularly experience threats, witness attacks and are the target of hate across national borders. Now the Council of Europe, the continent's leading human rights organisation, is to examine the problem and make recommendations to policymakers on how they can better tackle Islamophobia. By Christoph Strack
By Christoph Strack
EURO 2020: Racism in football

Racists, not missed penalties, are the problem

The final defeat against Italy hurt England – but the racist insults against Saka, Sancho and Rashford were far more painful, revealing the deep rift running through English society. Commentary by Joscha Weber
By Joscha Weber
Egypt and social media

Qawem group saves Egyptian women from sextortion

Social media make many things possible – including the unwanted circulation of intimate private photos. This has given rise to new forms of crime and sexual blackmail. An initiative in Egypt is assisting victims. Ihad Zidan reports from Cairo
By Ihad Zidan
COVID-19 and the ongoing impact

Coronavirus in the time of Delta

While Europe and North America experience something like a return to normality with relatively high vaccination provision and take-up rates, the rest of the world is struggling to contain the Delta variant. Qantara takes a look at how countries across the Islamic world are coping
Imran Khan's democracy and press freedom

Pakistani military keeps journalists on a tight leash

Fearing persecution and facing threats to their lives, journalists tread carefully in Pakistan. The brave and bold who pose awkward questions are most at risk, writes Pakistani journalist Warda Imran
By Warda Imran
Interview with Turkish human rights lawyer Canan Arin

"Women in Turkey are fighting to keep their rights"

As 1 July approaches, the date when Turkey will officially pull out of the Istanbul Convention on violence against women, Qantara.de speaks to Canan Arin, one of the co-founders and most well-known voices of the Turkish feminist movement. Interview by Ceyda Nurtsch
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Pride Month 2021

Malaysia seeks stricter sharia laws for "promoting LGBT lifestyle"

A Malaysian government taskforce has proposed amendments to sharia law that would allow action to be taken against social media users for insulting Islam and "promoting the LGBT lifestyle"
Middle East conflict impacts soccer

Palestine's football dreams take a battering

When it comes to talent, Palestine may well be able to compete with other football teams in the region, but growth and development are hampered by the situation in the Palestinian territories. The explosion of violence between Israel and Hamas in May seriously disrupted preparations for the World Cup qualifiers. John Duerden reports
By John Duerden
College of Islam opens in Osnabruck

Germany finally gets its own "home-grown" imams

On 15 June, the "Islamkolleg" in Osnabruck officially launched its new training programme for imams in German. The college is intended to prepare Islamic theologians for their work in mosque communities and thus further the integration of Muslims in Germany. By Christoph Strack
By Christoph Strack
Ten years after the Arab Spring

Arab women's rights, a genuine lifestyle revolution?

Arab women played a leading role in the protest movement of 2011. Since then, ongoing social transformation has had a considerable impact on their lives. What is their assessment of the situation ten years on? Claudia Mende spoke to women from Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco
By Claudia Mende
COVID-19 fallout in Morocco

Tangiers' economic boom – few winners and many losers

Business in the Moroccan city of Tangiers is booming due to its location at the nexus of global trade routes. But many locals are failing to reap the benefits. What they crave most is the resumption of international tourism and the attendant influx of revenue. Stefanie Claudia Muller reports from Tangiers
By Stefanie Claudia Müller