Islamism | Political Islam
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Music in Taliban AfghanistanForgotten sounds
Kharabat was once Kabul's sacred music district, but since the Taliban returned to Afghanistan, music has been banned. Yet those brought up for a life of performance have not given up hope
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Turkey's stance on HamasPresident Erdogan and the shifting sands of geopolitics
Turkey initially pursued a balanced policy in an attempt to mediate between Hamas and Israel, but as Israel continues to pound Gaza, Erdogan has adopted a harsher stance. Tough choices now loom on the horizon for Ankara
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Canada: "Manufacturing the Threat"The sting that bit back
Islamophobic incidents are once again on the rise across the Western world following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. "Manufacturing the Threat" reminds us what lengths governments will go to to achieve the results they believe people want to see
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'Not in our name'Jewish New Yorkers speak out against 'dehumanisation' of Palestinians
New York's two million-strong Jewish community has suffered anguish in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks. While many back the Israeli government's response and have rallied in support of Israel, others are unsettled by the Gaza military campaign and the huge price paid by Palestinian civilians
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Climate changePakistan faces a looming water crisis
Pakistan is facing a looming water crisis that threatens to exacerbate food insecurity. Political instability and economic fragility are complicating the situation further. The government is taking steps to address the problems, but much more needs to be done. By Abdur Rehman Cheema
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Hamas attacks on IsraelTel Aviv: a city paralysed
Deutsche Welle staff member Jochen Rosenkranz was in Tel Aviv when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel. As the situation over the weekend steadily worsened, he witnessed a city shaken to its very foundations
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Human rights and Islamism in the GulfThis Barbie can't go to Kuwait
The recent ban of the Barbie film is part of a growing crackdown on feminism and freedom of expression in Kuwait. Hind Al Ansari argues that instead of tightening controls, the government should focus on developing spaces for open dialogue
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750th anniversary of Rumi's death – Part 3On Rumi's trail in Afghanistan
During Ramadan 2019, Marian Brehmer travelled to Rumi's birthplace, Balkh in northern Afghanistan, in search of the roots of the great Sufi master. His visit there left a lasting impression on him
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More corruption, death and destructionHaftar's sons rise in Derna flood aftermath
Khalifa Haftar, the strongman of eastern Libya, has placed his six sons in positions of political and military power. The deadly floods in Derna have seen his youngest, Saddam, rise to head of disaster relief management and the top of his succession charts. For Libyans, it spells more bad news, writes Leela Jacinto
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Libya's DernaA city known for rebellion – and neglect
Before the September 10 storm and flooding killed thousands, Libya's eastern port of Derna was best known for its revolutionary thinking, Islamist extremists and coastal scenery. Now the city is fighting for its very survival. By Cathrin Schaer
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Algeria – wasteland for Arabic literatureBig Brother is watching you
In May 2023, Algerian author Said Khatibi won the prestigious Sheikh Zayed Award in the young author category for his historical crime novel "Nihayat al-Sahra'" – in English, 'the End of the Sahara'. Claudia Mende caught up with Khatibi in Abu Dhabi for Qantara.de
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Turkey's realpolitik in the GulfDropping long-held convictions to seek deeper ties
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the Gulf states in July was his most productive so far, signing defence cooperation and other deals worth billions of dollars. But is a strategic partnership really possible while Turkey and the UAE continue to back conflicting sides in various regional crises? By Leyla Egeli