Spotlight on bridge-builders
All topics-
The universal language of music
Music dossier: Tuning in to the unfamiliar
An independent, modern music scene has long since developed in the Islamic world and Europe. Breaking with convention, it is a far cry from belly dance and folklore cliches. In this dossier, we present some of its leading protagonists, genres and events
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Interview with Islam expert Felix Koerner
The Pope and the Muslims
Will Pope Francis still be travelling to Riyadh? What will be the outcome of his planned visit to Indonesia? How important is his friendship with Grand Sheikh al-Tayyeb? Interview with Islamic scholar Felix Koerner, five years after the Abu Dhabi document "on human fraternity"
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Promoting Jewish-Palestinian dialogue
"Agitators can't be allowed to dominate the debate"
Jouanna Hassoun and Shai Hoffmann talk to young people about the war in Gaza. The first step is to listen, says the Jewish-Palestinian duo
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War in the Middle East
Palestinian writer Sayed Kashua: "I am scared too"
Sayed Kashua talks about the Palestinians' fear of speaking out about the war, the precarious situation of Arab Israelis and the limits of writing
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Jewish-Islamic Research Centre
"Jews and Muslims need to talk together more"
The Hamas attacks on Israel and Israel's military response are putting further strain on relations between Jews and Muslims in Germany. Fahimah Ulfat and Asher Mattern from the Jewish-Islamic Research Centre in Tubingen explain how education and encounters can help change one-sided perspectives
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Israelis and Palestinians: "Standing Together"
"Help us move towards peace"
Since the war in Gaza, the grassroots movement "Standing Together" has become increasingly popular among Israelis and Palestinians. Founding member Itamar Avneri says they are calling for peace and independence for Israelis and Palestinians, absolute equality for all citizens – and true social, economic and environmental justice
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Life in Iraq
No politics, no religion, no sex
Hella Mewis refuses to give in. The head of a cultural centre in Baghdad has already been kidnapped once, but Baghdad is her home, and she’s staying. Lena Bopp finds out why
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Germany's Beethovenfest
Afghan and Iranian musicians join forces
Musicians from Afghanistan, Iran and Germany have come together to work on Bonn's Beethovenfest Campus Project 2023. The result can be heard on 14 September. By Anastassia Boutsko
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Edward W. Said Days in Berlin
Music – facilitator of intercultural dialogue
How can Edward Said's ideas help people better understand Yoko Ono's performance art, pre-colonial rhythms from Africa or the music of Christian missionaries in Japan? The Edward W. Said Days in Berlin marking 20 years since the literary scholar's death explored a whole range of questions. Ceyda Nurtsch reports
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Dialogue of religions
'Islamic-Jewish dialogue needs to be institutionalised'
Jewish educationalist and publicist Micha Brumlik looks at Germany's culture of remembrance and considers what is needed for the healthy coexistence of Jews, Christians and Muslims
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Refugee work in Germany
Jews and Muslims united in their support for refugees
Social engagement is often motivated by religious factors. A new book explores the background to these community efforts and appraises how effective they are in helping to integrate new arrivals to Germany
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Israel and Palestine
How to build a lasting peace
For many years, world-famous conductor Zubin Mehta has worked tirelessly to strengthen relations between Arabs and Jews, sponsoring projects such as "Road to Recovery", which is designed to foster dialogue and bring people closer together. Peter Munch reports from Tel Aviv