Society

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
#MeToo and Muslim women

Danish author Sara Omar – Breaking taboos for Muslim women

Born amid the horrors of war in Iraqi Kurdistan, Danish author Sara Omar now uses her voice to denounce violence inflicted on women in the name of reactionary Islam, a "calling" that has left her living under police protection
Spotlight on bridge-builders: Tahir Della

Campaigning in Germany for "a society of the many"

Tahir Della of the Initiative Schwarze Menschen in Deutschland (Initiative of Black People in Germany) fights for the self-empowerment of black people, a resolute confrontation with the colonial past and greater sensitivity to the many forms of racism. Ceyda Nurtsch for Qantara.de.
By Ceyda Nurtsch
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