Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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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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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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Iran and Israel"A war of extremisms"
Both Israel and Iran are driven by dangerous forms of fundamentalism, says former IAEA analyst Behrooz Bayat. He explains how close Tehran is to developing a nuclear bomb and the logic behind Israel's attacks.
Politics
More about Politics-
Ismail Küpeli's "Graue Wölfe"A danger left unchecked
Thousands of right-wing extremists of Turkish origin live in Germany. Violent and deeply embedded, they remain largely ignored by politicians. In his book "Graue Wölfe" (Grey Wolves), Ismail Küpeli takes a closer look at the movement.
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Abu Shabab in GazaA militia under Netanyahu's control
An armed group is making headlines in Gaza. Led by Abu Shabab, the militia stands accused of looting aid and attacking starving civilians, while enjoying quiet backing from Israel as a means to undermine Hamas.
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Erdogan′s TurkeyNight of terror
An attempted coup in Turkey led to a night of gunfire and explosions, with residents waking up to an uncertain future. Diego Cupolo reports from Ankara
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France following the attack on NiceDuty-bound to act
Terrorism is a threat to everyone in France. It′s not a case of ″us against them″: such attacks are also putting the future and safety of Muslims in Western societies in jeopardy. A commentary by Barbara Wesel
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Reform in MoroccoPlagued by inertia
The former Secretary-General of Transparency Maroc Azzedine Akesbi was in Germany in June for a research project he is conducting as a fellow at the German Development Institute (DIE). With a view to the upcoming parliamentary elections in Morocco on 7 October 2016, Martina Sabra spoke with the economist and education expert on political reforms and the fight against corruption in the country
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The Chilcot ReportIt's a no brainer
The lesson of the Iraq War should not be that armed intervention is to be avoided per se, but that such action should only be undertaken when it is the best available strategy – and the results are likely to justify the costs. By Richard Haass
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The not-so-United KingdomA potentially sticky wicket
Although a majority of Asian and Muslim voters rejected a Brexit, about a third did vote for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. Thomas Baerthlein reports from London about their motives – and increasing concerns about the negative fallout of the referendum on all ethnic minorities, particularly Asians and Muslims
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The reconquest of FallujahThe serpent′s head
Last week Iraq′s prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, announced victory over the "Islamic State" terror militia in Fallujah and the liberation of the city. But following the advance of government forces into the centre of the western Iraqi IS stronghold, the refugee crisis in the region is worsening. The mass exodus from Fallujah continues, with people still leaving in their thousands. By Birgit Svensson
Society
More about Society-
Syria after AssadTo stay, to leave, to return
As many refugees return to Syria, queues are forming outside passport offices as people try to leave. Four personal stories reflect the hopes, fears and unresolved questions of a country in transition.
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Islam and AITranslating the sacred
Technology can make life easier for believers, but its relationship with religion has fundamental limits. Artificial intelligence may be able to translate the Qur'an, but can it grasp its meaning?
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CrossCulture Programme celebrates ten yearsGlobal ambassadors
For the past ten years, young professionals from Islamic countries and from Germany have been able to immerse themselves in a foreign culture for three months as part of a internship programme run by the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (ifa). The programme has just celebrated its tenth anniversary. By Fabian Pianka
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Cologne: New Year's Eve mobThinly veiled racism
Our outrage over the sexist Muslim male reveals a need to feel superior. It expresses a brand of cultural chauvinism that co-opts feminism as a means of diverting attention from its own sexist and racist shortcomings. A contribution by Khola Maryam Hübsch
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Afghan refugees in IranOn the fringes of society
Many refugees currently knocking on Europe′s doors come from Afghanistan. Most of them, however, no longer know their homeland because they are second generation refugees who have grown up in neighbouring Iran. Ghasem Toulany on the situation of Afghan refugees in the Islamic Republic
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New Year′s Eve assaults on womenThe Cologne outcry
The perpetrators involved in the attacks in Cologne, Dusseldorf and Hamburg must be brought to book, regardless of their origins. Those using the suffering of the New Year′s Eve victims to foment popular prejudice against individuals who have fled inhumane suffering, however, compromise their own humanity. An essay by Raphael Sartorius
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Sexual assaults at Cologne′s main station#KoelnHbf – An attack on my freedom
The sex attacks at Cologne's main railway terminal are intolerable, regardless of where the perpetrators come from. An outcry is essential (#aufschrei). It is not acceptable that women in Germany become a target. Commentary by Sarah Judith Hofmann
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Cologne: sexual assaults and the press codeOutrage reaches new heights
Reports on the sexual attacks on New Year's Eve in Cologne have intentionally emphasised the ethnic origins of the offenders. With what reason? A commentary by Daniel Bax
Culture
More about Culture-
"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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Al-Hafiz Tarjok's "Friday of Death"A survivor's account of the Melilla massacre
In "Friday of Death", Sudanese activist al-Hafiz Tarjok recounts his survival of the deadly 2022 events at the Melilla border between Morocco and Spain. His book sheds light on the tragedy faced by thousands of Sudanese risking their lives to cross the desert in search of safety in Europe.
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Interview with the Kurdish Singer Aynur DoganResisting the Wind
Aynur Dogan sings in Turkish and Kurdish, the political tone of her songs is deliberately provocative. Her last album "Rewend" focuses on itinerancy and connection to the homeland. Marian Brehmer spoke to her
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Saudi Arabia's First Feature Film "Wadjda""It's Not Just about Suppression"
"Wadjda" is the first feature film ever made in Saudi Arabia. One of its German producers tells Bernd Sobolla about the daring women involved, and how his own perception of Saudi Arabia changed in the process
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German Bookshop Lehnert & LandrockThe Dangerous Job of Selling Books in Cairo
Edouard Lambelet's well-known German bookshop is located close to Tahrir Square in Cairo. The bookseller has lived through many conflicts in Egypt, but for the first time, he's now considering throwing in the towel. Holger Heimann reports
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Interview with Choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui"I Don't Mix Cultures, I Translate"
In his work, the Belgian-Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui combines elements from different cultures, religions and styles. In this interview with Ceyda Nurtsch, he explains how his Moroccan roots influence his perception of aesthetics and speaks about the role of art in the Arab Spring
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The Piano Man of Taksim SquarePlaying for Peace
Davide Martello was on a world tour with his custom-built electric piano when he made a spontaneous decision to play Istanbul's Taksim Square. His music became the soundtrack of the Turkish protests. He has since continued his tour with a new message: peace
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The Music Group CyminologyA Global Sound, but without the Global Clichés
Persian poetry from the Arabian Nights meets modern, urban jazz – it may sound bizarre, but it works beautifully. The music of Berlin-based band Cyminology manages to be experimental while at the same time dodging the pitfalls of the world music genre. By Suzanne Cords
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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Deutsche Nahostforschung
Zeigt endlich Haltung!
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„Die vielen Leben des Ibrahim Nagui“ von Samia Mehrez
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Iran im Krieg
Afghanen als Sündenböcke
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Der „Neue Nahe Osten“
Pax Israelia oder Bellum Aeternum?
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Ismail Küpelis „Graue Wölfe“
Die ignorierte Gefahr
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Sex-Tourismus in Ägypten
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