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
More about Politics-
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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Holocaust researcher Omer Bartov"Germany could help Israel and Palestine on the path to reconciliation"
In interview with Qantara.de, leading Holocaust researcher Omer Bartov talks about the indictment against Israel at the International Court of Justice, the instrumentalisation of anti-Semitism and Germany's possible role in a two-state solution
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Israel's offensive in RafahWhat would make Egypt open its border to Palestinians?
As an Israeli military campaign causes casualties in densely crowded Rafah, near the Egyptian border, Egypt is under increasing pressure to admit displaced Palestinians
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Yemen, USA and the war in GazaHouthi 'terrorist' label a threat to Yemen aid?
Houthi rebels in Yemen have been designated a "terrorist group" once before. Back in 2021, aid organisations said they feared the impact on "one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world". So what's changed?
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Elections in IndonesiaWorld's third largest democracy at a crossroads
On 14 February 2024, some 205 million Indonesians are going to the polls to choose a new president as well as new national and regional parliaments. Over the past 25 years, the nation with the world's largest Muslim population has evolved into a stable democracy. Yet observers now fear autocratic tendencies
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DAVA party woos ethnic TurksGermany fears the "Erdogan party"
For days, Germany has been discussing the emergence of a new party. Its name: DAVA. Critics say it is the extended arm of Turkish President Erdogan. Who is behind DAVA and what are its aims?
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Hamas and sexual violence"No atrocity ever justifies another atrocity"
In early December, it was made public that Hamas fighters had systematically used sexual violence on 7 October. For international law expert Heidi Matthews, the offences undoubtedly require rigorous investigation. At the same time, however, the accusations are also being used as justification for Israel's disproportionate response in Gaza
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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U.S. universities and anti-SemitismSpotlight on freedom of speech
Since the eruption of the Israel-Hamas war, New York's Columbia University has been gripped by divisions over the conflict and rancour over where free speech ends and hatred begins
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Life in LebanonFighting sectarianism with cheap groceries
Two women in Lebanon's capital, Beirut, have founded a non-profit grocery store that offers goods at affordable prices. But their bigger vision is to break down political and religious segregation
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Cultural boycott of Germany?The German anti-Semitism debate is increasingly off-key
These days, anyone opposing both anti-Semitism and racism faces a difficult choice, as numerous recent cases show. Where must we start in order to change this?
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Turkey's "Noel Baba"Questions and answers about St. Nicholas
The Feast of Saint Nicholas, observed on 6 December in Western Christian countries falls within the season of Advent. But who was this bringer of gifts?
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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
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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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
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Selahattin Demirtas' "Cold Front"Political prose from prison
Selahattin Demirtas, former co-chair of the Turkish opposition party HDP, has been in prison since 2016. He has published five books during this time. The short story collection "Cold Front" is the second to be published in German. Gerrit Wustmann reviews the book for Qantara.de
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Netflix series "Queen Cleopatra"Controversial patchwork history
The decision by Netflix' latest documentary series to portray Cleopatra as an Egyptian and thereby an African ruler is partly aimed at rehabilitating her as a historical figure. But good intentions don't always produce good results, as Shady Lewis Botros argues
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Showcasing music from PakistanBack to the roots
Mekaal Hasan may not be a household name in Europe or North America, but he is a star in Pakistan. When COVID-19 struck, he and his Sufi rock band were forced to change their production approach. For "Rivayat", Hasan tracked down traditional singers and musicians from beyond Lahore. Richard Marcus had a listen
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Morgenland Festival OsnabruckCountering patriarchal cliches
Focusing on music from the Levant to Central Asia, Osnabruck's Morgenland Festival occupies a special place in the German festival landscape. Prior to the 18th festival, which begins on 21 June, Stefan Franzen spoke to festival manager Michael Dreyer about the musical concept, the political dimension, and whether the term 'Morgenland' [engl. 'the East', 'Orient'] is still in keeping with the times
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
Most read articles
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Protestflotte „Global Sumud Flotilla“
Kurs auf Gaza
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Verfolgung von TikTok-Stars in Ägypten
Warum ausgerechnet Suzy?
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Qantara-Printausgabe
Was wird aus Syrien?
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Sex-Tourismus in Ägypten
Braut für einen Sommer
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Das neue Gesicht der Tagesthemen: Pinar Atalay
"Wir Türken haben immer noch ein Gastarbeiter-Image"
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Besuch in Kafranbel
Auf den Spuren der syrischen Revolution