Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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Syria after AssadAl-Sharaa and the global jihad
Jihadist groups around the world are watching Syria's transitional government closely. Al-Sharaa's takeover and moderate strategy are inspiring for some. Others view his pragmatism as betrayal and opt for violence.
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"Christ in the Rubble" by Munther IsaacThe Christian case against the war on Gaza
Munther Isaac, a West Bank pastor, rejects Bible-based justifications for war and calls Gaza a "moral compass". In "Christ in the Rubble", he presents a view of the war that is 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.
Politics
More about Politics-
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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Germany's position on the Gaza warFar from the straight and narrow
The German government's barely audible criticism of Israeli's handling of the war in Gaza is inflicting substantial damage on its foreign and security policy, weakening democracy not only in Germany, but worldwide. A change of course is urgently needed
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Egypt, Jordan and the Gaza warThe pressure is growing
Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip has effectively put Jordan and Egypt on the frontline of any escalation. If the situation continues to deteriorate, masses of Palestinians could end up fleeing across their borders. A report from Amman and Cairo
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Israel and the ICJUN court ruling on Gaza 'hard to ignore'
All eyes were on The Hague as the UN's International Court of Justice ordered Israel to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza but failed to demand a ceasefire. The decision puts Israel's allies in a difficult spot
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German demonstrations against right-wing extremism"Never again" is now
Ever since the AfD's plans to deport immigrants were publicised, hundreds of thousands of people across Germany have taken to the streets in protest
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Germany and the Gaza warArab criticism of German hypocrisy
Germany used to be a role model for the Arab world. That has changed since the Israeli army killed thousands of civilians in the war against Hamas – with barely a murmur of opposition from German politicians
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Iran-Pakistan tensionsWhat was behind the Balochistan strikes?
Tit-for-tat attacks between neighbours Iran and Pakistan are linked to separatists fighting for independence of the mineral-rich Balochistan region that spans their borders
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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Israel-Hamas warChildren bear the brunt of the conflict
While Hamas has released the majority of its child hostages taken on 7 October, it is believed that two remain in captivity. Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinian children are suffering under Israel's ongoing siege and renewed bombardment of Gaza
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Dialogue in GermanyAn imam and a rabbi tour Berlin schools
Tensions are running high over the conflict in the Middle East. In German schools, as elsewhere, discussions are controversial and emotional. An imam and a rabbi are working together to promote dialogue and understanding in these turbulent times
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Israelis and Palestinians: "Standing Together""Help us move towards peace"
Since the war in Gaza, the grassroots movement "Standing Together" has become increasingly popular among Israelis and Palestinians. Founding member Itamar Avneri says they are calling for peace and independence for Israelis and Palestinians, absolute equality for all citizens – and true social, economic and environmental justice
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Esra Ozyurek on the German debate"We must fight anti-Semitism and Islamophobia together"
Germany has long been a role model for the way it deals with Holocaust remembrance. But now this is being used to marginalise minorities, says Turkish ethnologist Esra Ozyurek
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Bangladesh's low-wage textile industryMicrocredits – no silver bullet against poverty
While Grameen Bank, the great role model for the microfinance industry, is celebrating its fortieth birthday in 2023, tens of thousands of textile workers in Bangladesh are taking to the streets and striking for better wages
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India's pro-Israel shiftMuslims barred from supporting Palestinians
From Western capitals to Muslim states, protest rallies over the Israel-Hamas war have made headlines. But one place known for its vocal pro-Palestinian stance has been conspicuously quiet: Indian-controlled Kashmir
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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Berber ritual survives millenniaTuareg flock to Algerian desert oasis for ancient festival
In a riot of colour, music and dance, thousands of Tuareg have flocked to the Sebeiba festival that marks the end of an ancient tribal feud and which once a year transforms an oasis town deep in the Algerian Sahara
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Iranian cinema: "A Tale from Shemroon"King of the night
Many reports on Iran focus on Tehran's middle classes, giving a rather one-sided impression of the country. New film release "A Tale from Shemroon" is also set in this milieu. So does it succeed in presenting a more multi-faceted picture? Lisa Neal watched the film for Qantara.de
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Israeli documentary "1948 – Remember, Remember Not"The perspectives of others
For the first time, a new feature-length Israeli documentary shows the war of 1948 from the viewpoint of several parties involved in the conflict. The director has garnered praise in Israel, but also some fierce criticism. It is unclear whether the film will even be shown on the state TV channel that commissioned it. By Joseph Croitoru
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Music: Universal Echoes by KunéAn impactful message from Canada's Global Orchestra
The musicians in the Canadian music ensemble Kuné come from a diverse array of traditions and cultures. On their new album, they share their concern for our planet's future in a collection of glorious tracks. By Richard Marcus
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Tunisian films about the Arab SpringRage, hope and desperation
Tunisian filmmakers are addressing the subject of the Arab Spring and its failure in Tunisia in their films. Shady Lewis Botros watched three of them for Qantara.de
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War in SudanSudan's cultural treasures are being destroyed
While fighting between the military and the paramilitary forces of the RSF rages in Sudan, many of the country's important cultural assets are being destroyed, from invaluable libraries to mummies. By Philipp Jedicke
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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Syrien nach Assad
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Sex-Tourismus in Ägypten
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„Nichts rechtfertigt einen Genozid“
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Interview mit dem iranischen Virtuosen Kayhan Kalhor
Liebe zur Improvisation
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Arundhati Roy: das politische Gewissen Indiens
"Schreiben ist Aktivismus"
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Prostitution in Tunesien
Das Verdeckte offenlegen