History of Islam
All topics-
Rebuilding after Islamic State
Mosul's Old City rises from the rubble in Iraq
Beneath what remains of the 12th-century Al-Hadba minaret, builders work on a project to revive Mosul's Old City, reduced to rubble during Iraq's battle to retake the city from jihadists.
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Islamic mysticism
A flute like the breath of God
Music and rhythm have always played a substantial role in Islamic mysticism. Sufis clap, drum, breathe or rock in time with the music. It is their way of trying to overcome their egos and thereby bring themselves closer to God. By Julia Ley
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"I am a stranger: a stranger twice over"
Contemporary art meets early Islamic high culture
Running until 20 February 2022, Ali Kaaf’s installation "Ich bin Fremder. Zweifach Fremder" will be on show in front of the largest and perhaps most significant piece of Islamic art to grace any museum worldwide. In exhibiting his piece in this way, Kaaf draws it into a contemporary dialogue with the 1,300-year-old facade
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The Global Qur'an
Searching the suras
Research project "The Global Qur'an", brainchild of Professor of Islamic Studies Johanna Pink and sponsored by the European Research Council, analyses the history and dissemination of Koran translations while examining the role of nation-states and missionary movements. By Arnfried Schenk
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Jewish-Arab identity
Cleo Cohen's "May God be with you"
Her grandparents are Jews – born in Tunisia and Algeria. Director Cleo Cohen has now broken the silence about this with a very personal debut. By Nadine Wojcik
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Jews in Turkey
Netflix' "The Club" and Istanbul’s difficult past
A new Netflix drama series showcasing Istanbul's Jewish community in the 1950s depicts a once multicultural city. It is a production that pulls no punches, exposing dark chapters in modern Turkish history. Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul
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Haifa's Holiday of Holidays
The festival where everyone is welcome
Haifa is known for being Israel’s exemplary model of relative harmony between Jewish and Palestinian citizens. Its unique "Holiday of Holidays" is a joyous, multicultural event that has become a major player in domestic tourism. After a two-year break due to the pandemic, Noam Yatsiv writes from this year's festival
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Arabist Tim Mackintosh-Smith
"Reading Arabic is a bit like playing chess"
Tim Mackintosh-Smith's latest book – "Arabs" – reveals how linguistic developments helped and hindered the progress of Arab history. In interview with Qantara.de, he talks to Elisabeth Knoblauch about how, even in today’s politically fractured post–Arab Spring environment, Arabic itself is still a source of unity and disunity
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Interview with German anthropologist Dieter Haller
Tangier/Gibraltar: a tale of one city
In his new book, "Tangier/Gibraltar- A Tale of one city: An Ethnography", Dieter Haller looks at how shared experiences and practices have created a unique relationship and a sense of neighbourhood across the Straits of Gibraltar – a cultural area he calls "TanGib". Although "TanGib" has never been an administrative entity, the two cities and the surrounding regions have at times been inextricably linked. Fouzia Hayouh spoke to Prof Heller about his book and what the future could hold for the region
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Islam in Germany
Imam Idriz – "We need to allow controversial discussion"
Benjamin Idriz, imam of the mosque in Penzberg near Munich, is one of the most prominent representatives of Islam in Germany. He sees his role as building bridges to mainstream society without surrendering his own Muslim identity. In interview with Claudia Mende for Qantara.de, he argues that the mosque should be a place of open discussion where controversial opinions are possible
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40th anniversary of the death of Shia scholar Allameh Tabatabai
The modest scholar of Qom
Right up until his death, Allameh Tabatabai dedicated himself to the revival of Shia Islam’s intellectual traditions. But few in the West have even heard of this exceptional philosopher. A portrait by Marian Brehmer
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Interview with Islamic reformer Mustafa Akyol
"Islam needs its own enlightenment"
Turkish author and journalist Mustafa Akyol is one of the foremost pioneers of an Islam reconciled with modernity. Musa Bagrac spoke with Akyol for Qantara.de about his new book "Reopening Muslim Minds: A Return to Reason, Freedom, and Tolerance" and the chances for Islamic reform