Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
-
Democracy and Secularism in Syria’s revolutionUnited, not homogenous
In Syria, secularism is a fiercely contested topic. Assad supporters are using the term to discredit the revolution, while their opponents seek to redefine it. Yet this debate must not overshadow the revolution's central demand: democratic participation.
-
Claudia Mende's new bookA century of Arab feminism
For over a century, Arab women from Tunisia to Saudi Arabia have fought for their rights, against violence, and for autonomy over their lives and bodies. In her new book, Claudia Mende amplifies their voices.
-
Comic book author Joe Sacco"Gaza was where the West went to die"
Trailblazing cartoonist and journalist Joe Sacco reflects on Western coverage of the war on Gaza, oral histories, and comics as a medium for critical journalism.
-
FairuzSongs for a Lebanon that never existed
Lebanese singer Fairuz, now a 90-year-old icon, began her career 70 years ago with mould-breaking musical theatre. Setting artistic milestones alongside the Rahbani brothers, she soundtracked the history of Lebanon through an era marked by suffering and war.
Politics
More about Politics-
Israel in new Merkel memoir "Freedom"Merkel's reason of state
When Angela Merkel used the word "Staatsräson" in a 2008 speech to the Israeli Knesset, she may not have expected the enduring intensity of the debate it would ignite. In the new memoir "Freedom", the former chancellor reveals her idealised view of Israel, and her reluctance to acknowledge Palestinian perspectives.
-
Trump and the Gulf StatesSkeptical optimism in the Gulf
Saudi Arabia and the Emirates hope to reap economic benefits from the Trump presidency. But the Gulf has learned that Washington cannot be relied upon. Meanwhile, the Saudis could push Trump to take a tougher stance towards Israel.
-
Iran-Saudi conflictThe Middle East′s Cold War
The breach in diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia is a dangerous watershed in an already unstable, war-torn region. The rupture has its roots in a strategic rivalry that stretches across the Middle East, says Bernard Haykel, Middle East expert at Princeton University
-
Interview with the Islam scholar John Louis EspositoIslam′s image problem
In conversation with Habib El Mallouki, the renowned US Islam scholar John Louis Esposito talks about burgeoning Islamophobic and right-wing populist tendencies in Europe and the US as a consequence of the terrorist activities of radical Islamist groups
-
Civil war in SyriaAssad is starving his own people – with impunity
The Syrian dictator is systematically committing war crimes. Nowhere is the failure of the international community so evident. Commentary by Paul-Anton Kruger
-
Iran-Saudi conflictPlaying the sectarian card
Iran and Saudi Arabia are stoking the denominational conflict between Sunnis and Shias. Both sides are attempting to exploit an inner-Islamic conflict that has been raging for more than 1,300 years. And yet, as Andreas Gorzewski reports, it′s not always about religion
-
Iran and Saudi Arabia:The impending storm
The rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia is not confessional in nature. Both lay claim to regional supremacy and also to the leading role in the Islamic world – maximalist positions that naturally provoke confrontation. An essay by Ali Fathollah-Nejad, political scientist with the German Council on Foreign Relations
-
Iran and Saudi Arabia:A plea for Islamic tolerance
The escalating rivalries and animosities between Iran and Saudi Arabia have nothing to do with the Sunni-Shia divide in the Islamic theology, even less with the common fate and destiny of Iranians and Arabs among other nations in the region. An analysis by Hamid Dabashi
Society
More about Society-
Post-Assad Syria"Let freedom of the press be enshrined as sacrosanct"
The collapse of the Assad regime must not only mark the end of an era steeped in fear and oppression, but it must also serve as the dawn of a new chapter in the country’s history. Syrian independent media outlets publish their demands to the new government.
-
Podcast with Qantara author Emran Feroz"The question is: which human rights do the Taliban not violate?"
In August 2021, the USA and its allies withdrew from Afghanistan. Emran Feroz joins the "Deep Dive" podcast to shed light on the human rights situation in the country after three years of Taliban rule.
-
The rights of Muslims in GermanyProtected by the German constitution
The situation in Germany is different to that in Austria: Germany lacks the conditions to pass a Law on Islam. Nevertheless, as Daniel Deckers points out, the German constitution, known as the Basic Law, provides a framework for all religions and already offers Muslims many freedoms – more than they have in countries where Islam shapes the legal system
-
Book review: "Why I Am A Salafi" by Michael Muhammad KnightAn in-depth exploration of Islam
Novelist and essayist Michael Muhammad Knight is known for his provocative views. He has already written at length about his exploration of his faith. His latest book, "Why I Am A Salafi", delves even deeper. A complex and detailed book, it is nevertheless accessible, interesting for Muslims and non-Muslims alike, and dispels many misconceptions about Islam says Richard Marcus
-
The #siirsokakta movement in TurkeyThe poem is on the street
In the wake of the Gezi protests – and through interaction with social media – a movement arose in Turkey that inspired people to write, spray and scrawl snippets of poetry on all kinds of surfaces in public spaces. It became a vibrant part of literary life in Turkey. By Achim Wagner
-
Interview with Rachid Boutayeb and Michael RoesA trans-cultural dialogue on enlightenment
Writers Rachid Boutayeb and Michael Roes demonstrate how inter-cultural dialogue can be conducted without relinquishing the claim to enlightenment. Their debate has been published in German and in book form by publishing company Alibri and is entitled "Der eifersuchtige Gott" (The Jealous God). Martin Bauer spoke to both authors about origins, foreignness and their shared interest in enlightenment
-
Media portrayals and geopolitics in the Near and Middle EastWho shapes our image of the world?
In this commentary, Charlotte Wiedemann considers how press freedom and the media are tethered to Western geopolitics
-
Strategies for combating fundamentalist ideologiesReviving Islam's enlightenment
In 1877, the great French novelist Victor Hugo wrote, "Invading armies can be resisted; invading ideas cannot be." Nowadays, the power of ideas, for good or for evil, is something we need to take into account, particularly in contemplating Islamic radicalism. By Daniel Chirot and Scott L. Montgomery
Culture
More about Culture-
On fleeing to GermanyPoems that strike a blow for freedom
The new collection "Sei neben mir und sieh, was mir geschehen ist" (Be beside me and see what happened to me) features works by 29 poets who arrived in Germany as refugees. Their texts, written in German, Arabic, Kurdish, Persian, and Ukrainian, provide insights into their experiences.
-
Tunisia's Carthage Film FestivalDecolonial cinema
The Carthage Film Festival in Tunis aims to counter the Global North's dominance in the world of film. Until Sunday, a diverse range of films from Africa and West Asia will be screened. But can the festival truly fulfil its own ambitions?
-
The Turkish Oriental Dub Band "Baba Zula"Music from the Fringes with a Rebellious Soul
The Turkish band Baba Zula ushered in a new style in Turkish music: oriental dub. The band with its rebellious spirit goes way back in the contemporary Turkish music scene. Grit Friedrich reports
-
Profile of the Egyptian Writer Salwa BakrThe Voice of the Marginalized
Salwa Bakr is an unassuming literary star. Not a natural self-promoter, the Egyptian writer is nevertheless one of her nation's best known authors at international level. She has written 18 books, many of which have gained international recognition and been translated into nine languages. By Claudia Mende
-
The Turkish National Youth Philharmonic OrchestraFostering Talent and Bridging Social and Ethnic Divides
The Turkish National Youth Philharmonic Orchestra brings together the very best young musicians Turkey has to offer. These young performers stepped into the spotlight this week at the Beethovenfest in Bonn, performing "Traffic" by the Turkish composer Mehmet Erhan Tanman for the very first time. By Aygül Cizmecioglu
-
Interview with the Syrian Composer-pianist Malek Jandali''We are witnessing the fall of humanity''
Malek Jandali is considered to be among the most versatile and creative musicians in the Arab world. He has recently attracted widespread international attention for his strong stand against the Assad regime. Martina Sabra met the artist in the country of his birth, Germany
-
Nusrat Fateh Ali KhanThe Voice of Unity
On the 15th anniversary of the death of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the world can look back on an extraordinary musician. The "King of Qawwali" was a source of light in the often dark history of Pakistan. By Marian Brehmer
-
Mahi Binebine's Novel ''The Stars of Sidi Moumen''At Home with the Grim Reaper
The latest novel by Moroccan writer Mahi Binebine is inspired by the suicide bomb attacks on Casablanca. Its central message: As long as nothing is done to close the ever-increasing gap between rich and poor, there will always be those willing to emulate the Sidi Moumen "angels of death". By Claudia Kramatschek
From the Syria archive: Assad's regime of terror
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
Most read articles
-
Repräsentationsdefizit in den Nahoststudien
Alte Strukturen, neue Realitäten
-
Demokratie und Säkularismus in Syriens Revolution
Vereint, aber unterschiedlich
-
90 Jahre Fairuz
Lieder über einen perfekten Libanon, den es nie gab
-
Buch „Wir sind anders, als ihr denkt“ von Claudia Mende
Hundert Jahre arabischer Feminismus
-
"Let’s Talk About Sex, Habibi" von Mohamed Amjahid
Liebe zwischen Kairo und Casablanca
-
Comic-Autor Joe Sacco
„Der Westen starb in Gaza“