Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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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.
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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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"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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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.
Politics
More about Politics-
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.
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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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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
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Where is Egypt's left heading?"The political arena is closed"
Nearly three years after the army seized power, Egypt's regime-critical opposition finds itself with its back to the wall. Politically marginalised left-wing parties and movements are now trying to maintain their ability to act by forging close alliances. Will this really allow afford them political influence in the longer term? Sofian Philip Naceur reports from Cairo
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Migration pact with AfricaThe EU′s paper tiger
The EU claims that the migration pact with Africa is a completely new initiative. Rather than reshaping patterns of migration, however, Europe′s desperate politics of symbolism would merely seem to focus on stemming the flow. By Ludger Schadomsky
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10th conference of the Tunisian Ennahda PartyFarewell to political Islam?
The latest Ennahda party conference, held in the Tunisian town of Hammamet, revealed in both its symbolism and the new parlance used by the party a renunciation of political Islam in favour of Muslim democracy. By Ivesa Lubben
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Battle for the IS stronghold of FallujahMilitiamen on the rampage
The battle for the Iraqi city of Fallujah is in full swing. Shia militia are apparently giving the IS jihadists a run for their money. But what appears to be militarily effective is a political disaster. By Karim El-Gawhary
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Mass shooting in OrlandoSounding the death knell
Terrorists have more than their immediate victims in their sights - they aim to destroy liberal, open societies. This election year, writes Ines Pohl, the Orlando killer could succeed
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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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
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Human rights violations in MoroccoCity of roses, city of torture
The case of the Belgian-Moroccan national Ali Aarrass shines a spotlight on persistent human rights violations and the existence of torture prisons in Morocco. While the monarchy remains silent, the public deliberately looks the other way. By Susanne Kaiser
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Atheism in EgyptBreaking the taboo
Atheists claim to hold no religious beliefs whatsoever: though some find that hard to accept, freedom of speech dictates that everyone should be entitled to express their ideas and thoughts without intimidation. Challenging religious oppression and outdated social mores, many Egyptians risk their lives to uphold and protect freedom and tolerance. By Hakim Khatib
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Women and IslamOn Muslim women and the Islamic dress code
The assumption that God demands submission can mislead women and turn conflicts of conscience into desperation. After all, it is women who are cheated out of their life before death by the social limitations associated with covering their heads and bodies. An essay by Emel Zeynelabidin
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Druze conscriptionYouth reject ″sectarian″ recruitment to the Israeli army
Conscientious objection among the Druze community is gathering support, particularly among the young men who are expected to serve in the Israeli army. One organisation that seeks to support those fighting the call to join up is ″Urfod″ or ″Refuse: your people will protect you”. Ylenia Gostoli examines the issues confronting the religious minority
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How German textbooks present Islam and immigration"Diversity is part of everyday life"
In conversation with Arnd Zickgraf, Viola B. Georgi from the University of Hildesheim explains why German textbooks are behind the times in their treatment of Islam and immigration
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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Pan-Arab Youth OrchestraMusic to Combat Hopelessness
The world's only pan-Arab youth orchestra met in Berlin to make music together. But the young musicians also discussed the situation in their home countries – politics, hopes and fears. Peter Zimmermann reports
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Interview with Youssra El HawaryMusic of a Quiet Revolution
In the wake of Egypt's Revolution, Youssra El Hawary suddenly came to fame with her song about a wall, "El Soor". Despite her insistence that she is non-political, her music is – in a quiet and unobtrusive way – unique and revolutionary. Marian Brehmer met the artist in Berlin
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"Serenade" by Zülfü LivaneliTurkish Plea for Tolerance
In his novel "Serenade", the composer, singer and author Zülfü Livaneli writes about Armenian, Jewish and Muslim identity, mirrored in 20th century Turkey's history and the crimes of the Second World War. A review by Astrid Kaminski
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Tunisian Theatre Director Fadhel JaibiWarning against a Black Wave of Islamism
In his first play since the overthrow of Ben Ali two years ago, Tunisian theatre director Fadhel Jaibi warns against the rise of the Islamists. But according to Sarah Mersch, "Tsunami" lacks the subtle analysis so characteristic of his earlier productions
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Arab ComicsFrom Micky Mouse to Handala
While Mickey Mouse is shrill and colourful, Handala's stories are told in black and white. The Arab comic is an artistic and multifaceted form of expression. As well as being popular with children, it is also educational and it serves as vehicle for political criticism. Report by Anna Gabai
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Egyptian LiteratureNew Departures, New Visions
Current novels from Egypt tell about people's daily struggle for survival, about their suffering in the face of state violence and corruption, and about managing to get by with the help of tricks and humour. Egyptian literature is available in translation in various forms – from the spontaneous blog to the social novel. By Susanna Schanda
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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Gnaoua in Marokko
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Libanons Bürgerkrieg
Eine Nachkriegszeit gab es nie
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„Carmen“ als patriarchale Erzählung
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Deutsche Nahostforschung
Zeigt endlich Haltung!