Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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UAE in GazaSecuring a role in the postwar plan
The United Arab Emirates is supplying vital humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Behind the scenes, it is working closely with Israel and the US to plan for the future of the enclave—and to secure a role for itself—once the war is over.
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Album "Mute" by El KhatOn the edge of anarchy
The Berlin-based Yemenite-Israeli band El Khat use handmade instruments to create a chaotic blend of styles and traditions. Behind the raucous noise, they explore themes of silencing, conflict and displacement.
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Taqi Akhlaqi’s book "Versteh einer die Deutschen"German quirks from an Afghan perspective
Taqi Akhlaqi came to Germany for four months on a scholarship to work on a new novel, where he experienced a range of cultural shocks. He recounts this experience in his highly readable new book “Versteh einer die Deutschen” (Surely someone must understand the Germans).
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German policy in the Middle EastA historic failure
Germany has isolated itself worldwide with its stance towards Israel. The current coalition will soon be a thing of the past, but Germany may reap the consequences of its foreign policy failures for a long time to come.
Politics
More about Politics-
UAE in GazaSecuring a role in the postwar plan
The United Arab Emirates is supplying vital humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Behind the scenes, it is working closely with Israel and the US to plan for the future of the enclave—and to secure a role for itself—once the war is over.
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Turkey and SyriaA renewed partnership?
Damascus and Ankara came to blows following the outbreak of civil war in Syria. Now, the Turkish government and the Assad regime are seeking rapprochement. A diplomatic breakthrough would have consequences beyond regional relations—including for Germany.
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Europe's treatment of IS returneesEroding the constitutional state
The Europeans and Americans can't agree over what should be done with citizens imprisoned in Syria and Iraq for joining the IS cause. But as Bachir Amroune argues, these individuals should be given the same constitutional rights as anyone else accused of a crime
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UAE foreign policy and the Crown Prince of Abu DhabiHardly a ruler in waiting
Architect of the United Arab Emiratesʹ assertive foreign policy approach is the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi: he it is who ultimately makes the decisions, in consultation with several of his brothers and the ruler of Dubai. Report by Matthias Sailer
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Interview with Egyptian novelist Ahmed NajiWhen writing becomes a crime
The Egyptian military regime regularly targets authors, accusing them of "violating public morals". The trial of Egyptian novelist and journalist Ahmed Naji ranks as one of the most prominent cases in recent years. Interview conducted by Moritz B. and Luisa M.
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Germanyʹs new Homeland ministerNo to religious parity
By stating that Islam is not part of Germany, newly appointed Homeland Minister Horst Seehofer is not only polarising the population. At the same time, he is cementing the fundamentally unequal treatment of religious communities in Germany. Commentary by Farid Hafez
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Egyptʹs 2018 presidential electionsBlatant autocracy
No-one is under any illusion about the forthcoming presidential elections in Egypt at the end of March. With the current regime shamelessly and unambiguously issuing instructions to one political party after another to put up candidates, the outcome will be a sham, argues Shady Lewis Botros
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Germany's new cabinetWhere's the ethnic diversity?
Before the new German cabinet had even got down to business, there were grumblings about its make-up. With the number of women ministers higher and the average age of the cabinet lower than ever before, one group was glaringly missing from the ministerial line-up: people with personal experience of integration. By Richard A. Fuchs
Society
More about Society-
Tareq Sydiq’s book “The New Protest Culture”Can protests transform society?
From Iran to the Last Generation, citizens in democracies and dictatorships alike are taking to the streets. Tareq Sydiq analyses these uprisings and asks why some fail while others dramatically change the system.
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Israel since 7 October"We have to get them back now"
Or Levy was abducted by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October 2023. In this interview, his brother Michael discusses his family’s experience over the last twelve months, his hopes and fears for the future, and the ongoing campaign to free Or from captivity.
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Pew Research Center studyIslam does not stand in antithesis to the West
A study by the Washington-based Pew Research Center says the number of Muslims living in Europe is set to increase. But this is no reason to conjure up the spectre of an Islamisation of the West, says Loay Mudhoon
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Refugee integration in GermanyA future made to measure
Integration in the workforce and a sustainable business idea: the Frankfurt dressmakers' studio offering prospects to refugee women – and becoming the go-to place for the region's start-up labels in the process. By Esther Felden
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Non-fiction: Pankaj Mishra's "Age of Anger"The embittered majority
In his book "Age of Anger: the history of the present" the Indian author Pankaj Mishra sees global distortions as the result of a birth defect in European modernity. Stefan Weidner read the book
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Interview with Mauritanian human rights activist Biram Dah Abeid"Time to end Arab racism"
Today in Mauritania, children are still being born into slavery. Not only that, they will remain slaves for the rest of their lives. It is the most prevalent and most extreme expression of Arab racism in North Africa, says human rights activist Biram Dah Abeid and it is time to consign it to the past. By Claudia Mende
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Islam in IndonesiaThe agents of change
Where is Indonesia heading? With Islamic organisations become increasingly vocal commentators in the public debate about morality and religious minority rights, the concept of citizenship in Indonesia is undergoing a gradual, yet profoundly disturbing transformation. By Chris Chaplin
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Debating secularism and religion in the Islamic worldNo threat to faith
Jordanian journalist Mousa Barhouma criticises the recurrent Arab tendency to equate secularism with apostasy and heresy. In his view, Islam does not prescribe any specific form of government
Culture
More about Culture-
Album "Mute" by El KhatOn the edge of anarchy
The Berlin-based Yemenite-Israeli band El Khat use handmade instruments to create a chaotic blend of styles and traditions. Behind the raucous noise, they explore themes of silencing, conflict and displacement.
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Taqi Akhlaqi’s book "Versteh einer die Deutschen"German quirks from an Afghan perspective
Taqi Akhlaqi came to Germany for four months on a scholarship to work on a new novel, where he experienced a range of cultural shocks. He recounts this experience in his highly readable new book “Versteh einer die Deutschen” (Surely someone must understand the Germans).
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Syria and the "Lost Origin Sound" projectThe timely involvement of a punk rocker
In the years before the Syrian civil war started, an American punk rocker set out to record the country′s cultural heritage. Now Jason Hamacher is receiving requests from various cultural organisations planning the reconstruction of Syria. By Marian Brehmer
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Album: ″Lost in Mali″Celebrating a musical landscape
Showcasing a rich diversity of West African music traditions, ″Lost in Mali″ plunges the listener into a world apart. Incidental audio footage of street sounds and children playing enhances the ″on-location″ feel. Richard Marcus reviews the album
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Spain and Ibn Arabi′s heritageThe great master of Murcia
Ibn Arabi was born 850 years ago in Murcia. The influence of this mystic on Islamic spirituality was second to none. Nevertheless, few in modern-day Spain have even heard of him. An account by Marian Brehmer
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Photography in the Arab worldCasting the veil in a new light
Having spent three years in Saudi Arabia, English-born photographer Sebastian Farmborough felt he had to do something to counter the country's negative image in the West. He talks to Kate Muser about the project
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Book review: ″The Broken Mirrors: Sinalcol″ by Elias KhouryA dizzying sense of displacement
Originally published in Arabic in 2012, ″The Broken Mirrors: Sinalcol″ was only translated into English this year. It contains many of the tropes that Elias Khoury readers will find familiar: shifting perspectives, an unreliable narrator, obscured memories, uncertain truths, and reflections upon narration. Nahrain al-Mousawi has read the book
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My Distant Country
Portrait of the musician Bachar Mar-Khalife
The Lebanese-French musician Bachar Mar-Khalife creates soundscapes that resonate between Orient and avant-garde. His latest album "Ya Balad" features a musical spectrum that spans the divide between ironic reggae, electronic rhythms, Arab poetry and chansonesque lullaby. Stefan Franzen met up with the multi-instrumentalist and composer
Photo Essays on Qantara.de
Qantara.de: Building bridges to the Islamic world
Building Bridges Across Religions
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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