Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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"Christ in the Rubble" by Munther IsaacThe Christian case against Gaza's War
Munther Isaac, a pastor in the West Bank, objects to Bible-based justifications for war and describes Gaza as a "moral compass". In a new book, "Christ in the Rubble", he offers views that are polarising without being destructive.
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GazaCaught between starvation and deadly aid centres
In Gaza, survival now means facing not only bombs but also starvation. As some Palestinians risk their lives to receive aid from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, others turn to desperate measures to feed their children.
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Moroccan Gnawa festivalA Sufi tradition on the world stage
A festival in Morocco is bringing Gnawa music to the mainstream. Shaped by migration, slavery and a long struggle for recognition, the once marginalised Sufi tradition is now internationally renowned.
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Morocco-Algeria arms race"The solution requires political courage"
Tensions between Morocco and Algeria are fuelling a frantic arms race. Moroccan researcher Hicham Mouatadid traces the roots of the rivalry and calls for a solution that goes beyond the Western Sahara conflict to address regional security as a whole.
Politics
More about Politics-
Lebanese Civil WarThe postwar that never was
Fifty years since its outbreak, Lebanon's Civil War continues to shape its society and political system. The postwar era has been marked by violence, foreign occupation, political paralysis and economic crisis—raising the question: did the war ever truly end?
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The "New Middle East"Pax Israelia or bellum aeternum?
With the support of the USA, Israel is reshaping the Middle East. Though framed as a path to stability, their strategy risks locking the region into a permanent conflict.
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Anti-Assad protests in Syria's Sweida governateNew wave of violence after protester death?
Locals in southern Syria have been protesting peacefully for months now, despite their government's brutal crackdown. But in late February, for the first time, a demonstrator was killed
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Prospects for peace in the Middle EastThe search for the Middle East formula
Without rights for the Palestinians, there can be neither security for Israelis nor stability in the Middle East. There are four possible future scenarios
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Ramadan in East Jerusalem and Gaza"It feels more like a wake"
For many Palestinians this year's holy month is likely to be a sombre one. There is concern that tensions could spill over in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem.
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Israelis for Peace in Berlin"Anything is better than Netanyahu"
For seven weeks now, left-wing activist Nimrod Flaschenberg and other like-minded Israelis have been demonstrating outside Germany's foreign ministry
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War propaganda in Israel and the Arab worldSpewing poison in both directions
In addition to the actual warfare in Gaza, another, lesser known burden is weighing on the prospects for a better future in the Middle East. Influential media channels are lending support to the most radical forces on both sides of the conflict
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Israel, Hamas and the war in GazaSeven uncomfortable truths
Anyone wanting to fully understand the current Middle East crisis must face up to realities on the ground. For many, however, this is at odds with the schematic picture they have in their heads. Here are seven uncomfortable truths crucial to de-escalating the situation and finding a solution
Society
More about Society-
German academiaWhen neutrality becomes complicity
German scholars of the Middle East often wear the mask of political neutrality. But both Western philosophy and the classical Islamic tradition insist that knowledge carries an ethical duty. A call for moral responsibility.
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Iran at warThe scapegoating of Afghan refugees
Amid conflict with Israel, Tehran's regime is fuelling mistrust of Afghan refugees. Yet they are among those most vulnerable to Israeli air strikes.
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Migrant destination EuropeEU gatekeeper Morocco leverages its own interests
Morocco is intensifying its gatekeeper role in EU migration, stopping 87,000 migrants in 2023. Key to the deal is European acceptance of Morocco's claim to disputed Western Sahara
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Egypt's hundred-year-old whodunnit revisitedMurder in the brothel – Raya, Sakina and the 17 female corpses
A century ago, two sisters in the red-light district of Alexandria became icons of evil as serial killers. But did they really kill prostitutes for a few gold bracelets?
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Germany's 'remigration' debateCalls to ban far-right AfD
Far-right groups in Germany reportedly have a plan for the mass deportation of millions of citizens. Lawmakers from the far-right Alternative for Germany party are implicated
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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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Marriage, religion and love in EgyptThe long road to modernising marriage
American historian Kenneth M. Cuno talks to Qantara.de about the decline of polygamy in Egypt, the emergence of love when choosing a marriage partner, and what role Muhammad Abduh and Qasim Amin played in promoting new ideas about marriage and the family
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750th anniversary of Rumi's death – Part 5Iranians seek refuge in Rumi
For centuries, Rumi’s verses have been part of Persia’s spiritual heritage. In these uncertain times, Iranians are increasingly turning to the Sufi poet
Culture
More about Culture-
"Carmen" on the Egyptian stageRewritten to fit the patriarchal script
A stage production of "Carmen", adapted from Prosper Mérimée's French novella, has captured the attention of audiences and critics in Cairo. While the French novella portrayed Carmen as a free-spirited rebel, the Egyptian adaptation tells a different story.
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"Dis-orienting the Maghreb" by Sadik RddadPlural identities in colonial Morocco
In his new book, Moroccan scholar Sadik Rddad revisits colonial-era British and American travel writing, challenging Edward Said's view of Orientalism and its flattening of Maghrebi identities.
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Turkey's brain drainTurkish artists and intellectuals in exile
Turkey's academics, doctors, engineers and journalists are not the only ones who are leaving the country. A growing number of artists, writers and intellectuals now live in exile. Many of them face prison sentences in Turkey if they return home. Ceyda Nurtsch report
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Jewish musicBreathing new life into Ladino
Noam "Nani" Vazana's most recent album "Ke Haber" (What's New) is a beautiful dive into the rich cultural history of Sephardic Jews and the Ladino language. But there's a twist to what she does with the language: instead of just singing old songs, she creates and writes new material. By Richard Marcus
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Syrian literatureAcclaimed writer Khaled Khalifa dies aged 59
Award-winning author, poet and screenwriter Khaled Khalifa has died at his home in Damascus. Although one of his country's most celebrated writers, his novels were banned in Syria
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Migrants in the UKThe world of London's others
In "Auf dem Null Meridian", Shady Lewis tells the story of an immigrant in London who works in social services and whose life is turned upside down. With a light touch and black humour, he describes the tragic consequences of racism and Eurocentric thinking. Lisa Neal read the book for Qantara.de
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Eklektik BerlinIstan meets Anatolian folkDJ Ipek's space-time continuum in sound
Eklektik BerlinIstan's DJ Ipek – Ipek Ipekcioglu – is famous far beyond her home city of Berlin. Now the music producer has released her first album as part of the musical project "Karmaturji". Daniel Bax had a listen
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Middle Eastern and North African art in EuropeMENA Art Gallery – haven for Arab art
The MENA Art Gallery in downtown Berlin is the brainchild of Italian researcher Enrico De Angelis and Syrian visual artist Zena El Abdalla. One transliteration of the colloquial Arabic for 'port' is 'mena', reflecting the intention to provide a haven for works by Arab artists, as Rama Jarmakani reports
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
Most read articles
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Bücher über Israel-Palästina
Immer wieder die Frage nach dem „Westen”
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Syrien nach Assad
Ahmad al-Scharaa und der globale Dschihad
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Sex-Tourismus in Ägypten
Braut für einen Sommer
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Irakische Filmemacherinnen
Bewegte Bilder gegen erstarrte Strukturen
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Gnaoua in Marokko
Aus der Sufi-Nische zum Festival-Hit
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„Christ in the Rubble“ von Munther Isaac
Christliche Argumente gegen den Gazakrieg