Society

Arundhati Roy's "Azadi"

Narendra Modi is pushing Indian society to the brink

Arundhati Roy's recent volume of essays and lectures provides an eye-opening account of current political developments in India. Written during the run-up to the last general election, "Azadi" charts India's disturbing slide into authoritarianism. Richard Marcus read the book
By Richard Marcus
Caught between tradition and modernity

Will ancient poet Hafez win the "soft war" in Iran?

Iran is far more modern than many people realise: our view is clouded by media distortion and the overriding political narrative. The nation’s historic and cultural riches are often overlooked. A declaration of love for Iran by Marian Brehmer
By Marian Brehmer
Turkey

Sect leader Adnan Oktar – 1,000 years for sex crimes

A Turkish court has sentenced Islamic television preacher and author Adnan Oktar to more than 1,000 years in jail for crimes including forming and leading a criminal gang, fraud and sexual abuse
Best of Qantara.de 2020

2020 in review: Qantara's 'Top Ten'

Last year was one of a kind. 2020 saw the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic, putting a stop to the hajj. Though peace in the Middle East remains a pipedream, there was something of a diplomatic thaw. At the same time, human rights across the region remain under attack. Here are Qantara.de's ten most read articles of 2020
Migrants and entrepreneurship in Germany

Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci – a rare success story?

When news broke that a vaccine against COVID-19 developed by a Turkish-born couple in Germany had promising results, many media reports placed the ethnic background of these scientists above the importance of the story itself. While migrant entrepreneurship might still be regarded as something rare in Germany, research shows that more and more migrants are launching their own businesses. By Sertan Sanderson
By Sertan Sanderson
Teenage pregnancies in Pakistan

What sex education is really about

Young people in many developing countries are not systematically taught about reproductive health and the psychology of intimacy. It is harmful to keep all things sexual shrouded in secrecy – as is evident in Pakistan, for example, where many girls are still married off in their teens. By Mahwish Gul
By Mahwish Gul
IT in the Occupied Territories

Software developers at coding boot camp in Silicon Wadi

A German IT company has started an academy to train Palestinians in software development. Despite the pandemic's challenges, it has managed to run its first boot camp in Ramallah in the West Bank. Tania Kraemer reports
By Tania Kraemer
Ankara School pioneer and reformist Islamic theologian

The resignation of Turkish Koran exegete Mustafa Ozturk

Professor of theology and Qantara interview partner Mustafa Ozturk has resigned from an Istanbul university after immense pressure from certain segments of the Islamic community, having advocated a version of Islam they deemed "blasphemous". Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul
By Ayşe Karabat
Spotlight on bridge builders: Comedian Idil Baydar

Counting up the cliches, Jilet Ayse tells it like it is

Comedian Idil Baydar may have received numerous awards, but she has also been the recipient of death threats from right-wing extremists. Her comic characters Gerda Grischke and Jilet Ayse hold a mirror up to German society and encourage audiences to take a closer look. Ceyda Nurtsch introduces her for Qantara.de
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Religious freedom in Europe

ECJ ruling on kosher and halal slaughter ban disastrous

The European Union's top court has deemed kosher and halal slaughter incompatible with animal welfare. This is a grim day for religious freedom in Europe, writes Christoph Strack
By Christoph Strack
Spotlight on bridge-builders: Lamya Kaddor

"I aim to strengthen young Muslims' sense of identity"

Lamya Kaddor is a frontwoman for liberal Islam in Germany. The Islamic studies teacher has received numerous awards for her dedication. But she also faces hostility from many sides. Ceyda Nurtsch introduces her for Qantara.de
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Festive coronavirus masks

Christmas opens new market for small Gaza sewing business

In the blockaded Gaza Strip, the Christmas season is giving a boost to a small women’s business that produces pandemic face masks decorated with holiday symbols