Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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Historical photographs of SyriaAn obsessive archivist
Ahmed Hasan sold his house to pursue a passion for historical photographs. His collection traces Syria's history through everyday life.
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Education in SyriaReturning pupils face language barrier
Eleven-year-old Ali spent six years in Germany. Now back in Syria, he is struggling with Arabic, his native language, as the new government appears overwhelmed by the task of reintegrating returning schoolchildren.
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Syria's economyAusterity and liberalisation won't rebuild the country
Syria's government is pursuing economic growth through liberalisation, foreign investment and cuts to state spending. These moves benefit the new elite but won't lift the majority out of crisis.
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Literature in YemenThe last bastion of beauty
Yemen's cultural scene has been hard hit by years of war, but not completely silenced. While many writers and intellectuals have left the country, the small literary club Alamaqah remains active, a testament to the resilience of Yemeni culture.
Christmas between Christianity and Islam
To the archive
Politics
More about Politics-
Religion in the armed forcesMilitary imams to be introduced in Germany
From 2026, Germany's Bundeswehr will recruit chaplains for Muslim soldiers, responding to calls from Islamic associations that go back over two decades.
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One year after AssadThe road to a new Syria
A year ago, rebel forces ousted Syria’s Assad regime. How has the country changed since? Leading experts weigh in.
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Post war order for Israel and PalestineRobust resurrection of the peace process
Formulating a common strategy for peace and stability, optimizing cooperation with Arab countries, and implementing effective dialogue formats and cultural and economic policies. Just a few practical measures how the EU can provide positive impetus for a post-war order.
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Europe and the Middle East“Context is crucial”
Up to now, the EU has not assumed a significant mediation role in the Middle East. How can the EU foster trust and effectively contribute to a lasting peace solution following the Gaza conflict? What approach should it take towards authoritarian regimes in the region? Middle East historian Lorenzo Kamel offers insights.
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Recognition of the Palestinian StateReducing the power gap
The mere recognition of Palestine as a state will not be the panacea, but it will be the essential, decisive turning point on the road to a just and sustainable solution to one of the most protracted and volatile conflicts in modern history.
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Europe and the Middle East conflict“Strict observance of international law”
Recently, Norway, followed by the EU countries Ireland and Spain, has recognized a Palestinian state. How should the European Union respond and establish a unified stance? Can Europe provide positive impetus and ideas for a post-war order? How could these be realized?
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Turkey in NATORelationship status difficult
A more active role for Turkey in NATO, as demanded by the Turkish government, would be appropriate in view of the geopolitical challenges, but is meeting resistance within the alliance. How can the defence alliance achieve greater unity?
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A new phase in the Middle East conflictHistory and the war on Gaza
According to historian Rashid Khalidi, the Middle East conflict and the war in Gaza are in many ways a consequence of imperial interventions. “Resolution can only be based on dismantling entrenched structures of supremacy and discrimination”, he asserts. Only in this way a two-state solution can be realised.
Society
More about Society-
Egyptian feminist Nawal El Saadawi"Intersectional long before the term was coined"
A seminal feminist text by Nawal El Saadawi has been translated into English and German for the first time, over five decades after it first appeared in Arabic. Publisher and translator Sophie Haesen explains why it should be essential reading worldwide.
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War crimes in SyriaThe starvation of Yarmouk on trial
A new trial of Syrian war crimes suspects has opened in Koblenz, Germany. It's the first since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, and the first ever to charge starvation as a war crime.
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Press in PakistanStudents switch off from media careers
Journalism schools in Pakistan have been reporting low enrolment. Teachers say poor job prospects and industry issues are discouraging students from pursuing media careers
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Palestinians in GermanyEnd of the Berlin Spring
The German capital has attracted many Palestinian artists and intellectuals in recent years. Yet since the war in Gaza began, a sense of disillusionment has set in within the community
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The quagmire of historical responsibilityGermany's misguided fight against anti-Semitism
Assessing Israel more critically than other nations is considered anti-Semitic. Yet treating Israel more favourably is problematic too. Philo-Semitism – the unquestioning endorsement of anything Jewish – does not help in the fight against anti-Semitic prejudice
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The Iranian theologian and feminist Sedigheh VasmaghiA revolution in Islamic law
With her work, Iranian feminist and legal scholar Sedigheh Vasmaghi is putting an end to male dominance in Islamic jurisprudence, striking at the very heart of the Islamic Republic.
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Protests at US universities"What's needed now is dialogue"
The impact of the protests and police crackdowns at US universities goes far beyond the campuses where they are taking place and is likely to affect the outcome of this year's presidential election
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Children in GazaSchool just a distant memory
Children in the Gaza Strip have not been to school since the start of the war. Israel is systematically destroying the Palestinian education system, UN representatives warn
Culture
More about Culture-
Architecture in LibyaReclaiming a vanishing colonial heritage
As Benghazi’s Italian-era architecture slowly disappears, an exhibition brings together architects and artists rethinking the city’s history — reassessing the colonial past without celebrating it.
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Cherien Dabis's "All That's Left of You"Palestinian identity on screen
In "All That's Left of You", Cherien Dabis intertwines a three-generation family saga with the history of Israel and Palestine, placing her within a growing movement of filmmakers negotiating Palestinian identity through cinema.
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Culture unites where politics divideBollywood – bringing India and Pakistan closer together
Indian movie stars, especially from Bollywood, have huge fan bases in Pakistan – despite the bitter political rivalry between the neighbouring nations. What's driving this popularity?
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Israel-Hamas warMusic gives Gaza children respite from horrors of war
Hundreds of thousands of children have been displaced since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. A troupe of volunteer entertainers is travelling from camp to camp in Gaza on a mission to give children at least some respite from the fear and stress of their current situation
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Music from Niger: Bombino's album 'Sahel'The musical expression of a people's pain
Like many Tamasheq musicians and many of his people, Niger-born Bombino has spent a lot of time in exile. On his latest album, "Sahel", he sings of the pain of exile and the importance for a people of holding on to its culture and values
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Fikra culture magazineShowcasing Palestinian perspectives
Fikra culture magazine publishes literature and art by Palestinians from all over the world. The editors hope it will serve as a platform for the dispersed community to debate and dream – and defend itself against censorship from all sides
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Iran: a graphic novelThe making of a revolution
Nothing has been the same in Iran since Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman, was murdered by the morality police in September 2022. Cartoonist Marjane Satrapi's new book takes its name from the protest slogan, "Woman, life, freedom", and offers an easy-to-grasp take on the complicated background to the current situation
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Iranian musicMitra Sumara's "Dream": Seventies retro
Recalling pre-Islamic revolution Iran, Mitra Sumara's second album offers a collection of jazz-infused retro Persian hits that will get everyone on the dance floor
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
Most read articles
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Alena Jabarine im Videotalk
„Das Schwarz-Weiß-Denken entspricht nicht der Realität“
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Wirtschaft in Syrien
Neue Elite, neuer Kurs, alte Muster
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Literatur im Jemen
Die letzte Bastion der Schönheit
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Ägyptische Feministin Nawal El Saadawi
„Intersektional, lange bevor es den Begriff gab“
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Sex-Tourismus in Ägypten
Braut für einen Sommer
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Integration von Schulkindern in Syrien
Herausforderung Arabisch