Society

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 Krämer
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
Emmanuel Macron's anti-separatism bill

Imam Muhammed Abu Zaid calls on French Muslims to engage

Prominent Islamic scholar Muhammed Abu Zaid has urged Muslims in France to cooperate with the government. At the same time, he emphasised the need for the French authorities to foster dialogue with the country's Muslim community. By Jennifer Holleis
By Jennifer Holleis
Rabbi Elhanan Miller on interfaith dialogue

"People of the Book" brings Jews and Muslims together

Conceived by Israeli journalist and rabbi Elhanan Miller, "People of the Book" is a YouTube project designed to provide information on Judaism in Arabic. Disarming prejudice with humour, Miller's cartoons aim to promote mutual understanding between Jews and Arabs. Interview by Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
Controversial transfers from Cox's Bazar

Bangladesh relocating Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char

Authorities in Bangladesh started sending a first group of more than 1,500 Rohingya refugees to the isolated island of Bhasan Char, despite calls by human rights groups for a halt to the process.
COVID-19 in the Occupied Territories

Coronavirus infection rates skyrocket in the Gaza Strip

Health experts in the Gaza Strip are sounding the alarm, fearing the pandemic could soon rage out of control. Hospitals there are wholly unprepared for the situation and doctors are pleading for international assistance. Kerstin Knipp has the details
By Kersten Knipp
ARTE documentary

German couple fights for girls' literacy in Afghanistan

Ofarin is an association working hard in Afghanistan to provide girls an education. Founded by German aid worker Paul Schwittek it has transformed the lives of a generation of Afghan girls, but now his project is coming to an end.
DW documentary on the Lebanon crisis

A land in freefall – between revolution and hope

The political and economic crisis in Lebanon started long before the devastating explosion on 4 August 2020. But since then, the country has been in freefall. Young people in particular are asking whether they have a future there at all.