Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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Jina Khayyer's "In the Heart of the Cat"The Iran that Germany wants to see
A novel about Iran, full of errors, clichés and exoticism—yet lauded in Germany. "In the Heart of the Cat" exposes how readily the German market embraces stereotypes, as long as they fit readers' expectations.
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Zia Qasemi's "The Midnight Collector"Afghanistan – a restless country
A short life that represents an entire country: in "The Midnight Collector", Zia Qasemi recounts the life story of a man with a physical disability – and reveals why Afghanistan has much more to tell us than we often believe.
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Israel’s former intelligence chief on 7 October"Our actions are the result of fear"
Two years after the Hamas attack, Israel remains in shock, says Ami Ayalon. In this interview, the former intelligence chief explains why Israeli society has failed to learn the lessons of 7 October, why the Gaza war must end, and why he rejects allegations of genocide.
Politics
More about Politics-
Two years after October 7Making a case for a wide-ranging viewpoint
Two years after October 7, the need for honest analysis has never been more urgent. Real understanding can only emerge when we begin at the right place—by looking beyond recent events and the history of occupation of the Palestinian territories.
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Syrian newspaper Enab Baladi"We offer an alternative to propaganda and hate"
The team behind Enab Baladi, the revolutionary media organisation founded at the start of the 2011 uprising, has returned to Syria. Co-founder Kholoud Helmi explains why their presence in Damascus is more crucial than ever.
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Syria and Geneva IIIThe great pretenders
As the Geneva III peace talks get underway, there is no sign that the conference will secure an end to the violence in Syria. The Assad regime can participate safe in the knowledge that it has nothing to fear. A commentary by Bente Scheller
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The Egyptian Revolution five years onGhosts of the uprising
25 January 2011 saw the start of the revolution in Egypt that led to the collapse of the Mubarak dictatorship. Today, the Egyptian writer Mansoura Ez-Eldin sees another regime in power staging an absurd drama of fear and oppression
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Islamic StateKnow your enemy
There is much the West does not understand about its latest enemy, in which it faces more than ″just″ extremists. IS ideology thrives on hatred, anger and resentment – the most effective response would therefore be to introduce and nurture values of tolerance, unity, mutual co-operation and peace. By Abdel Bari Atwan
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Gentrification in EgyptUrban counter-revolution in Cairo
The "Reclaiming Downtown" campaign launched by the Egyptian government is no ordinary measure designed to advance the gentrification of the Cairo city centre. It is instead a politically motivated drive against any form of opposition and civilian autonomy. The "backyard of the revolution" is to be refurbished and its revolutionary history wiped out. By Sofian Philip Naceur
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Interview with Slim Laghmani on Tunisia′s national crisis″We′re halfway there″
In the medium term, it′s neither political nor economic problems that pose the greatest threat to democratic change in Tunisia, but rather the country′s national crisis, says Slim Laghmani, a legal scholar at the University of Carthage. Sarah Mersch spoke to him
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Muslim Brotherhood textsOnce valued, now proscribed
In recent months, both Egypt and Saudi Arabia have begun withdrawing literature relating to the Muslim Brotherhood from the public domain. Tracts and treatises that once held pride of place on bookshelves – with some even enjoying official textbook status – are being confiscated and burned. By Joseph Croitoru
Society
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Deported from GermanyYazidi survivors confront the harsh reality of return
Thousands of Yazidis fled IS genocide and found refuge in Germany. Now, many have been ordered to return to Iraq, where they face dire living conditions, shattered infrastructure and the threat of further violence.
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"The Misguided Islam Debate" by Teseo La MarcaA plea for a pluralistic Islam
In his new book, Teseo La Marca argues that Germany's debate on Islam swings between extremes and calls for more nuance as an antidote to fundamentalism. But does he practise what he preaches?
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Non-fiction: ″Angst ums Abendland″ by Daniel BaxThe apocalyptics of the West
In his book "Angst ums Abendland" (Fears For the West), taz journalist Daniel Bax presents a detailed examination of why contemporary Europe should not be afraid of Muslims, but of Islamophobes. A review by Emran Feroz
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Islamic bankingSeattle's initiative has Muslims hopeful
Seattle’s city council is launching a programme of Sharia-compliant loans with the aim of improving the long-term prospects of the local Muslim community. Those forced to live in high-cost rental property are now in a position to consider the alternatives. By Joseph Mayton
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Refugees in IsraelWaiting for Holot
Holot, Israel′s desert detention centre, recently released 1,200 asylum seekers. With the state dragging its feet over the processing of asylum applications, however, thousands more are likely to receive a summons. By Ylenia Gostoli
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Corruption in EgyptModel student becomes anti-corruption icon
One student’s fate is fuelling the public outcry against corruption within Egyptian society. Following the government's resignation on Saturday, hope is now pinned on the new premier-designate Sharif Ismail. By Elisabeth Lehmann in Cairo
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Interview with Sedat Korkmaz"German society [...] still does not know much about Alevism"
Some 4,000 children and young people now attend classes in Alevi religious education in public schools in Germany. But there is still a shortage of teachers who are able to convey the Alevi faith with competence. Martina Sabra discussed the situation with Sedat Korkmaz, head of the Alevi Academy in Mannheim
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Egypt′s media and the new anti-terror lawTowing the government line
The anti-terror law passed in mid-August has struck fear into the hearts of journalists and bloggers in Egypt. It imposes legal limits on how they report terrorist attacks, severely curtailing freedom of speech. Background by Mustafa Hashem in Cairo
Culture
More about Culture-
Documentary "The Moelln Letters"An indictment of forgetting
In 1992, shortly after German reunification, neo-Nazis in Mölln carried out an arson attack targeting Turkish families. "The Moelln Letters" follows the survivors, who just recently discovered the hundreds of letters of solidarity withheld from them for decades.
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Artists in SyriaReclaiming space, testing limits
Since Assad's fall, Syrian artists and intellectuals have been seeking ways to respond to a transformed reality. Four cultural workers reflect on the shape of the cultural sphere in the new Syria.
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The Franco-Algerian artist Dalila Dalléas BouzarPulling away the Veil from Memory
In her project "Algeria, Year Zero – the pieced together past of the future", Berlin-based Franco-Algerian artist Dalila Dalléas Bouzar focused on the collective traumas experienced by Algerian society. Martina Sabra spoke with the artist in Berlin
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Turkish Television Series: Muhteşem YüzyilToo Much Sex, Too Little Heroism
Millions of viewers in Turkey are hooked on a television series about the Ottoman ruler Suleiman the Magnificent. Prime Minister Erdogan, on the other hand, wants the series taken off air. Jürgen Gottschlich reports from Istanbul
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Qalandiya International – the first Palestinian BiennaleAgainst the Flow
In today's Palestine, art does not reflect politics – art is politics. That, at least, is the conviction of Qalandiya International – the first Palestinian Biennale. Alia Rayyan shares her impressions from this unusual art event
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Interview with Iraqi author Hadiya Hussein''I feel closer to my country when I'm away''
Iraqi author Hadiya Hussein has been away from Iraq for more than a dozen years, yet her fiction is still filled with its concerns. Her 2004 novel "Beyond Love", recently published in English translation, is full of exile, separation, and love. Hussein talked with Marcia Lynx Qualey about home, memory, and how living outside the country affects her writing
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Interview with the Algerian Singer Houria AïchiAmbassador of Chaouia Culture
Houria Aïchi comes from a family of Berbers. They are known as Chaouia and live on the Aurès plateau in North-Eastern Algeria. She is now a renowned singer and lives in Paris. Suleman Taufiq spoke to her
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Post-Migrant Literature in Germany''The time has come to speak out very, very loudly''
The writers duo Marianne Salzmann and Deniz Utlu are pioneers of Germany's post-migrant literary scene. In this interview with Astrid Kaminski, they talk about 'transcultural perspectives', the meaning of subculture and anti-Semitism in Germany
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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