Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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Sumud FlotillaTunisia at the forefront of global convoy to Gaza
More than 50 boats are set to sail to Gaza in an attempt to break Israel's blockade. While European activists dominate headlines, the mission unites participants from over 40 countries, including many from Tunisia, where solidarity with Palestine runs deep.
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New print issueWhat will become of Syria?
The question of Syria's future is the focus of the latest issue of Kulturaustausch, who we've partnered with for the first time. The answers come from our Syrian contributors. Articles are now available online in English.
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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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Egypt's TikTok crackdownSuzy el-Ordoneya and the politics of social media fame
A police crackdown in Egypt is targeting TikTok influencers. Among them is Suzy el-Ordoneya (Suzy the Jordanian), whose rapid rise has brought her into conflict with official state morality.
Politics
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The new SyriaA history of violence
For the first time in eleven years, Yassin al-Haj Saleh returned to his homeland. The Syrian writer and dissident found a country torn apart by internal conflicts and beset by worries about the return of tyranny. A historical analysis.
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Tunisia under Kais SaiedCivil society in survival mode
Since his re-election last year, Tunisian President Kais Saied has consolidated his authoritarian rule, silencing dissent and attacking marginalised groups. The EU must support Tunisian civil society rather than reinforcing Saied's populist narrative.
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Interview with Rafik Schami"Escape is a life-saver"
In conversation with Ruth Renee Reif, the renowned writer Rafik Schami gives his views on the European refugee crisis and has sharp criticism for the West's political dealings with the Assad regime in Syria
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The MaghrebWhy does the Algerian regime fear Rachad?
In light of propaganda against the movement, media censorship, book banning and bogus Interpol arrest warrants against its founders, the regime clearly sees Rachad as a threat. But why? By Lakhdar Ghettas
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Afghanistan: the Taliban′s Kunduz offensive"There's nothing left to keep me here"
The security situation in Afghanistan continues to escalate. After bitter fighting in Kunduz, the mood is also tense in Kabul. Meanwhile thousands of Afghans are leaving the country every day. Impressions from Kabul by Emran Feroz
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Volker Perthes: "The end of the Middle East, as we know it"The end of Sykes-Picot?
Almost a century ago, France and Britain carved up large swathes of the Middle East between them. Now the order imposed by the Sykes-Picot Agreement in 1916 appears to be disintegrating. In his new essay, Volker Perthes outlines the reasons for this development and suggests potential scenarios for the region. A review by Anne Allmeling
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The global risks of an imploding Middle EastA region in flames
Among today′s geopolitical risks, none is greater than the long arc of instability stretching from the Maghreb to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. With the Arab Spring an increasingly distant memory, the instability along this arc is deepening. An analysis by Nouriel Roubini
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Hungary and IslamDefending Christendom
Although Hungary is just a transit nation for many refugees on their way to Western Europe, the country's government – led by right-wing nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban – has been conducting a campaign of xenophobia for months. Background by Stefan Buchen
Society
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Kafr Nabl, SyriaTraces of the revolution
When the Syrian revolution began in 2011, Kafr Nabl went from a sleepy, provincial town to a hub of resistance. Today, it resembles a ghost town. Its story may help ensure the revolution's original ideals are not forgotten.
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Economic hardship in SudanWar demands unconvential strategies
As the war continues in Sudan, survival has become a daily test of resilience for millions in the country. Business has to adapt and focuses on necessities: food, electricity, fuel and internet.
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The role of the HDP in the Turkish general electionBeacon of hope for women and LGBTs
In the Turkish election campaign, all eyes are on the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). The party's success would fundamentally redraw the nation's political map. Within a short period of time, it has succeeded in gaining favour with an array of disadvantaged social groups. By Ceyda Nurtsch
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Book review: Khaled Diab's "Intimate Enemies: Living with Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land"Prioritising the people
At a time when Palestinian–Israeli relations are at a particularly low ebb, it might seem over-optimistic to argue that the divisions between the people on the two sides are less than they seem, and that a "people's peace process" could lead to a just solution. Yet this is what the Egyptian-Belgian journalist, author and blogger Khaled Diab does in his book "Intimate Enemies: Living with Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land". By Susannah Tarbush
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Ayaan Hirsi Ali's controversial theories on IslamHailed as a "female Luther"
Ayaan Hirsi Ali has just published her latest book "Heretic" in Germany. Her work has been received with enthusiasm in Germany, where she was courted by the media and even described as a "female Luther". She probably has more in common with him than is comfortable for many. By Emran Feroz
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Palmyra's ancient queenZenobia, secular Arab heroine
The city of Palmyra, which was recently seized by Islamic State (IS), was once ruled by Queen Zenobia, who became a source of inspiration for modern, secular Arabs and the Arab women's movement alike. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that articles in the Arab media are referring to Zenobia as a "prisoner of the jihadists". By Joseph Croitoru
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Book review: "What Makes a Man? Sex Talk in Beirut and Berlin"An honest and painful cultural exchange
In 2003, two authors – one from Germany, one from Lebanon – spent time in each other's company and countries as part of a cultural exchange programme. Twelve years on, a book resulting from this encounter has been published: one section of the book details the Lebanese author's reaction to meeting a homosexual; another is devoted to the German author's rebuttal of this account. According to Nahrain Al-Mousawi, it is an unsettling read on many levels
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Preventing terrorism in LebanonDialogue behind bars
The world is horrified by the brutality of Islamic State (IS). Two young sisters are now doing what they can to prevent young Lebanese people from joining radical Islamist groups. By doing so, they are risking their lives. Juliane Metzker reports from Beirut
Culture
More about Culture-
Afghan poet Matiullah TurabA critical voice even the Taliban listened to
Afghan poet Matiullah Turab has unexpectedly died. Turab saw himself as the modest voice of a tormented people—and even the extremists listened.
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Books on Israel-PalestineThe perennial question of the West
New publications on the Israel-Palestine conflict: Alena Jabarine writes about inequality and arbitrary violence in the West Bank, Omar El Akkad settles scores with the West and Gilbert Achcar analyses the ideological roots of Hamas and Zionism.
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Profile of the Egyptian Comic Illustrator Ahmed Omar''The View from the Other Side''
Comic illustrator Ahmed Omar is primarily known for his cartoons in "El-Doshma". His comics address the issues of corruption, injustice – and the search for a better life. Matthias Sailer introduces the artist
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Nass El GhiwaneTroubadours of the Old and New Morocco
For decades now, Nass El Ghiwane have fascinated audiences with their individual stylistic blend of Gnawa trance music and social protest songs. Their popularity is such that they've been dubbed the "Moroccan Beatles". Andreas Kirchgäßner profiles the group
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Missing: the Syrian Film-maker Orwa NyrabiaThe Hunt for Awkward Cultural Activists
Last Thursday afternoon, Orwa Nyrabia, film-maker, festival organiser and activist, disappeared as he was on the way to board a flight from Damascus to Cairo. It is assumed that he was arrested at Damascus airport by the Syrian security services. But, as Charlotte Bank reports, the case is not unique
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Michael Muhammad Knight's Novel ''Taqwacore''Provocation as a Way of Life
Every movement has its pioneers. With his novel "Taqwacore", Michael Muhammad Knight created a blueprint for an individual youth protest culture in the US: "Muslim Punk". His book is both shocking and provocative. But "Taqwacore" has struck a chord with Muslim youngsters who say it reflects their own conflicts of identity. By Naima El Moussaoui
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Cinematic Arts in JordanEmpowering People to Tell Their Own Stories
Jordan does not have a long history of cinematic arts, but at the Red Sea Institute for Cinematic Arts in Aqaba students learn how to make films, being encouraged to critical debate and discourse. An interview with Paolo Remati, head of the institute
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Interview with the Lebanese Filmmaker Jocelyne Saab''My Country Was a Beautiful Garden''
Jocelyne Saab is one of Lebanon's most daring filmmakers. In this interview with Élena Eilmes, the artist and director talks about the Beirut-related symbolism of her most recent film, and the themes of violence, reading and love in her artwork
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750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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