Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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Weapons exports to Israel"Unlawful arms export licences have likely been issued"
Germany remains one of Israel's top arms suppliers, a situation likely to persist under Friedrich Merz. According to Lilian Löwenbrück from the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, politicians and manufacturers could face charges for complicity in crimes against international law.
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"Live in the Khaleej!" by Boom.DiwanA love letter to an ancient tradition
Boom.Diwan's album with Arturo O'Farrill fuses Kuwaiti pearl diving music with jazz, shedding light on the Gulf region's complex musical and social history.
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Germany's new governmentMerz, Netanyahu and the reason of state
Under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Germany is expected to double down on its support for Israel, even if it means sidelining international law. Domestically, repression of Israel's critics is set to intensify.
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Islam and language activismThe politics of Qur'an translation
Around the world, the Qur'an is being translated into marginalised languages, reflecting a global trend toward preserving cultural heritage. These translations often serve political goals, but can also save endangered languages from extinction.
Politics
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Pankaj Mishra on Germany, Israel and Palestine"An anarchic, nihilistic world"
The West, particularly Germany, has instrumentalised Holocaust remembrance to justify state violence, argues Pankaj Mishra. A conversation on suppressed colonial histories, Western complicity in Gaza and Germany's role in the erosion of international law.
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Anti-Erdoğan protestsTurkey at the crossroads
The March arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has sparked widespread protests demanding his release and fresh presidential elections. Successful or not, the protests point to a changing face of Turkish society.
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The Middle EastPreserving the Ottoman mosaic
With the international community striving to end the chaos and conflict racking the Middle East and establish a regional order than can sustain peace and stability, Sweden′s fomer prime minister, Carl Bildt makes a plea for working within the existing framework
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Western involvement in SyriaFewer bombs, not more!
Only when the West has helped to end the war in Syria, or at least Assad's airstrikes, can it count on Syrian support in the fight against IS. To protect Syrians in their homeland, Germany in particular should be advocating no-bombing zones, says Kristin Helberg
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Airstrikes against ISSolidarity yet no strategy
Western airstrikes will fail to have any significant impact on the terrorist militia as long as the Syrian rebels, prevented from focusing their efforts on the jihadists by the ongoing offensive staged by Assad′s regime, have to defend themselves simultaneously against IS and Assad. A commentary by Bente Scheller
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Interview with Arun KundnaniViolence comes home
After the Paris attacks, what are the logical and tragic consequences of a war with no geographical limits? In this interview, Arun Kundnani unveils and critiques the ramifications of the ″war on terror″, from the conservative and liberal rhetoric of the intellectuals and commentators who have emerged, to the theories of ″radicalisation″ which have fuelled counter-terrorism programmes in the West
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IS and the lessons learntNegotiating beyond time and space
The Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, is a recruitment tool for the IS and has to go. Nevertheless, a successor government needs to be able to keep order and cannot allow the jihadists to exploit a power vacuum, as it has in Libya. An essay by Richard N. Haass
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After the Paris attacksThe emotional helplessness of Muslims
In the wake of the Paris attacks, there is a growing sense of resentment and exhaustion within Muslims communities in Europe at having to repeatedly distance themselves from terror under the guise of Islam. An essay by the blogger Busra Delikaya
Society
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Christians in SyriaFear lingers in an ancient community
In the predominantly Christian town of Maaloula, residents hold differing views on al-Sharaa and the safety of their community in the new Syria. For many, memories of the 2013 Nusra Front attack remain—and mistrust runs deep.
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Christianity and IslamThe Muslim Jesus
Both Muslims and Christians revere Jesus, but they have different interpretations of his life, mission and role in salvation. At Easter, shared themes of resurrection and hope offer space for dialogue.
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Muslim youth in AmericaThe "mipster" phenomenon
Most people have heard of the term "hipster", which conjures up images of hip young, middle-class urban adults with progressive ideas who are into indie music. But what of the mipster, the "Muslim hipster"? Is it a real or just an imaginary concept? And for young American Muslims, is the label a blessing or a curse? By Joseph Mayton in San Francisco
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Tolerance and religious freedom in FranceFighting radical Islam with lessons in secularism
The French government wants to send imams and non-Muslim civil servants to classes in secularism and religious freedom in an attempt to prevent home-grown extremism and promote tolerance. Elizabeth Bryant reports from Lyon on a programme that is paving the way
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Hindus in Pakistan"I want to preserve my Hindu bloodline in North Waziristan"
All around the Islamic world, people are being forced from their homes for religious reasons or are fleeing religious violence and conflict. Many leave, intending never to return in the hope of being able to start a new life in a different country. Others, however, want to return home and carry on. Just like this elderly Hindu lady who wants to go back to the predominantly Muslim region of North Waziristan to rebuild her destroyed home and keep the Hindu population there alive. She told her story to Kiran Nazish
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The destruction of Yemen's cultural heritageTreasures of humanity under threat
Ongoing airstrikes and the military conflict with the Houthi rebels bring the threat of further destruction of important historical buildings and cultural monuments in Yemen. By Amida Sholan
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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
Culture
More about Culture-
Cairo's Jewish QuarterThe neighbourhood that shaped a nation
In his new book, Egyptian author Ahmed Zakaria Zaki explores the 19th-century history of Cairo's Jewish Quarter, tracing the social transformations within the city's Jewish community and its reaction to the emergent Zionist movement.
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New anthology "Imprisoning a Revolution"Egypt's political prisoners speak
A new anthology gathers the words, drawings and memories of Egyptian prisoners—some well-known, many anonymous—who document life inside the carceral state.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
Most read articles
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Deutsche Nahostpolitik
Merz, Netanjahu und die Staatsräson
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Waffenexporte nach Israel
„Genehmigungen sehr wahrscheinlich rechtswidrig“
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Identitätspolitik
Die blutige Teilung des indischen Subkontinents
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Gedenk- und Kunstprojekt
Aus Buchenwald ins Theater
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Internationale Friedenskonferenz an der Al-Azhar Universität
Wenn die Karten neu gemischt werden
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Islam und Sprachpolitik
Der Koran – jetzt auch auf Samoanisch und Shona