Society

Islamisation, a racist conspiracy theory

The hatred of Hanau and its enablers

The Hanau terror attack showed just how dangerous racist conspiracy theories can be. And yet it is a threat that continues to be underestimated. Commentary by Daniel Bax
By Daniel Bax
Preparing for Pope Francis' visit

The scant remains of Iraq's ancient Christian community

Some fled after the U.S.-led invasion, others during sectarian bloodshed and more following jihadist attacks. Iraq's last two violent decades have hollowed out its Christian community which dates back two millennia.
UAE and Sheikh Maktoum under pressure

Dubai's double standards – where is Princess Latifa?

The United Arab Emirates' carefully administered public image is taking a different turn. Growing calls for evidence that Princess Latifa is alive reflect the Emirate's double standards on human rights. Jennifer Holleis reports
By Jennifer Holleis
Interview with Yemen expert Marie-Christine Heinze

"Now is the time to start preparing for reconstruction"

Islam scholar and social anthropologist Marie-Christine Heinze is head of an academic exchange project with the University of Sanaa on "Post-conflict Reconstruction in Yemen". In conversation with Elisa Rheinheimer-Chabbi, she talks about weapons from Germany, crucial reforms and why Yemeni women are the ones healing social rifts
By Elisa Rheinheimer
Hate speech "inferno" on Germany's social media

Muslim students face Islamophobia after meeting CDU deputy

German Muslim students became the target of a vicious online campaign following a digital meeting at the beginning of February with federal politician and high-ranking Christian Democrat Norbert Rottgen. By Peter Hille
By Peter Hille
Spotlight on bridge builders: Farhad Dilmaghani

Working towards a society without discrimination

Farhad Dilmaghani is co-founder and chairman of the association "Deutsch Plus: Initiative für eine plurale Republik". He works to ensure that institutions, public authorities and businesses reflect the diversity in society. Ceyda Nurtsch introduces him for Qantara.de
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Erdogan, Islam and alcohol

Last call for Istanbul's meyhane bar culture?

Istanbul's beloved "meyhane" are where friends traditionally meet for a glass of raki or a game of backgammon. Now, however, owners and patrons are worried that new government restrictions could spell the end for these local hangouts. By Tunca Ogreten and Daniel Bellut
By Tunca Öğreten, Daniel Derya Bellut
Press killings in Afghanistan

Afghan journalists forced to run a murderous gauntlet

In recent months, Afghanistan has been rocked by a wave of targeted killings aiming at civil rights activists and journalists. Marian Brehmer talked to Mujeeb Khalvatgar, director of NGO NAI – Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan, about the dire situation currently facing Afghan journalists
By Marian Brehmer
Israel millennials express grassroots opposition

Are we talking lockdown fatigue or Netanyahu fatigue?

FIT TLV is the latest initiative by Tel Aviv’s youth to keep on partying during the coronavirus crisis. FIT describe themselves as "Free. Individuals. Together" – cycling, rollerblading and skating collectively every Friday in the Mediterranean metropole. By Djamilia Prange de Oliveira
By Djamilia Prange de Oliveira
Interview with Ask Project initiator Corey Gil-Shuster

Ask Israelis, ask Palestinians – beyond black and white

In 2012, fed up with people expressing clear-cut opinions on the rights and wrongs of the Middle East conflict, Canadian conflict researcher and long-time Israeli resident Corey Gil-Shuster grabbed his video camera and went out onto the streets in Israel and the Occupied Territories to ask ordinary people their views. The result: the Ask project. Inge Gunther met up with him for Qantara.de in Tel Aviv
By Inge Günther
Saman Haddad, cultural mediator in Germany

"Don’t talk about integration, just do it"

The child of Iraqi refugees, Saman Haddad arrived in Germany twenty-five years ago at the age of thirteen. Now a well-known cultural figure in Bonn, Haddad doesn't wait for others to take the initiative. Nor does he let others' reactions put him off. Profile by Philipp Jedicke
By Philipp Jedicke
Jewish culture in North Africa

Morocco’s Jews and their legacy

Morocco is aiming to enshrine Judaism as part of its national identity: the "House of Memory" in Essaouira is one step towards realising that goal. The nation’s Jewish legacy has also been added to the national curriculum. Abdessamad Jattioui reports from Essaouira
By Abdessamad Jattioui