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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Yemen′s HouthisDefenders of the country?
It seems that whatever happens in Yemen, any victory is likely to prove to be a pyrrhic one, writes Stasa Salacanin. As a UN panel of experts recently reported, Yemen as a state essentially no longer exists and no party to the conflict has the political support or military strength to reunite the country
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Tunisia and the EUBolster the young democracy!
Many Tunisians are disillusioned with the EU. Convinced that fairer trading relations with their northern neighbours is the key to reinvigorating Tunisia′s flagging economy, they are critical of Europe′s failure to engage. By Isabel Schafer
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Murder and kidnapping in IraqAn inexorable tide
In today's Iraq, there is no force more powerful than the militias and no voice louder than those who seek to drive a wedge between the religious denominations, says Iraqi writer Safaa Khalaf
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Release of German journalist Deniz YucelIt′s not over yet
Die Welt correspondent Deniz Yucel has finally been freed after a year in custody, but this has done nothing to change the situation within the Turkish media and judiciary. Commentary by Ulrich von Schwerin
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Saudi Arabian and UAE foreign policyA finger in every pie
When it comes to furthering their own interests, few political actors are currently attempting to influence developments in the Middle East and North Africa on so many fronts as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). By Matthias Sailer
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The Islamic Republic turns 39At risk of Syrianisation?
Was the recent unrest in Iran merely a harbinger of a bigger political quake? Prominent sociologists and political scientists are predicting some more extensive social shock waves. And one man who made his name during the revolution has offered his apologies to the Iranian people. By Ali Sadrzadeh
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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Enlightenment in the Islamic worldRefuting the 'westernisation' narrative
In his latest work, essayist and seasoned correspondent Christopher de Bellaigue presents the Islamic world in the 19th century in a new light. His main thrust? The Islamic Middle East did indeed experience its own genuine Enlightenment. By Arnold Hottinger
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Muslims against the Rwandan genocideNo-one has the right to kill!
As genocidal violence broke out against the Tutsis in Rwanda back in 1994, it appeared no-one was safe. But one small religious minority refused to take part: Rwandan Muslims. They mounted peaceful resistance to the horrors, saving many innocent lives in the process. By Markus Weingardt
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Islamic debate about human rightsThe erroneous 'cultural distinction'
Syrian writer Morris Ayek is critical of those who claim that when it comes to human rights, Islamic countries are "culturally distinct" from the rest of the world. In his opinion, this discourse directly contradicts the universality of Islamic values
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Bill 62 – Quebec′s burka banVeiled bigotry
On 18 October the Canadian province of Quebec passed new legislation forbidding a person to be veiled when delivering or receiving a public service. Bill 62, dubbed the "state religious neutrality law″, has been widely condemned by civil rights lawyers, Muslim associations and public service unions. By Richard Marcus
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Reformation Day and Islam in GermanyA chorus of convictions
Five hundred years after the posting of Martin Luther's theses, Germany remains a predominantly Christian nation. But Islam is also part of the fabric of Germany – if for no other reason than the three-and-a-half-million Muslims who live here and have the right, thanks to the constitution, to practise their faith freely. By Alexander Goerlach
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Navid Kermani′s refugee trail reportageSnapshots of a new reality
Navid Kermani has created an enduring monument in a fleeting genre about a turning point in European history, a modest and insightful example of humanism in European letters. By Marius Meller
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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Alaa Al Aswany′s novel ″The Automobile Club of Egypt″Microcosm of tyranny
In his new novel "The Automobile Club of Egypt", the best-selling Egyptian author Alaa Al Aswany paints a picture of a deeply divided, bigoted society and recalls the oriental despotism of the 1940s under King Farouk. A review by Arian Fariborz
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Art from Iraq and the Armenian diaspora in VeniceA far cry from what we′ve seen before
While in the mass media, the war of images with and over Islamic State is making headlines, very little attention has been paid to the visual art being created in the region. To get an idea of the diversity of artistic production in the Arab world and the Middle East, head to this year′s international Venice Biennale. Felix Koltermann was in the city on the lagoon, and introduces the most exciting national contributions and artistic installations from the region
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Indonesian literature at the Frankfurt Book FairThe island that literature forgot
In his essay, the Indonesian writer and literary critic Wayan Sunarta sheds light on the history of modern Indonesian literature, and explains why it has so far failed to establish itself internationally
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An interview with Syrian author Samar Yazbek″The Crossing: My Journey to the Shattered Heart of Syria″
Pen Pinter prizewinner Samar Yazbek talks to Rosa Gosch about her latest book, ″The Crossing: My Journey to the Shattered Heart of Syria″, the current situation in her home country and her expectations of the West
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Islamic popular literature: ″Sastra Islami″″God′s gift to Indonesia″
Sastra Islami is seen by its representatives as a corrective to the increasing ″Westernisation″ and ″secularisation″ of Indonesia. It presents itself as a religious counter-movement to the firmly secular literature published since the fall of Suharto in 1998. By Bettina David
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An interview with Indonesian author Sigit SusantoBeyond "dustbin literature"
Have there been any fundamental changes in Indonesian literature since the end of Suharto′s long dictatorship? What subjects do Indonesia′s writers focus on these days? And why is cyber-poetry and Islamic literature currently enjoying such popularity in the island republic? Birgit Lattenkamp discussed these questions with Indonesian author Sigit Susanto
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