Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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Syria's shadow economySex work, captagon and currency
Having grown significantly during the war, Syria's informal market for sex, drugs and money continues to thrive. Meanwhile, weak regulation is discouraging investment in the formal economy.
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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.
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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Yemeni refugees in CairoAn unwelcome exile
Food and water are in short supply not only in the conflict zones of Yemen, but also for many Yemenis stranded in Egypt since the conflict broke out in their country. As the Saudi-led alliance bombards Houthi positions in Yemen, it is considered too dangerous for the refugees to return home. By Andrea Backhaus in Cairo
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Rapprochement between Erdogan and the Turkish ArmyShort-term tactic or long-term strategy?
One of the main achievements of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been to stop the Turkish Army meddling in politics. In the past few months, however, the president seems to have begun allying himself with the army in what could be a major realignment in Turkish politics. Dorian Jones in Istanbul considers whether this is a tactical or a strategic change in policy
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The AKP's version of Turkish historyContrasting interpretations of Gallipoli
Joseph Croitoru reports on how leaders in Ankara are putting an Islamist spin on centenary commemorations of the Gallipoli Campaign and how they seem to hope that these events will detract attention from another centenary occurring this week: that of the Armenian genocide
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The German Empire and the Armenian genocideTurning a blind eye
On 24 April, people all over the world will commemorate the mass killing of Armenians 100 years ago. A memorial service is planned in Germany as well. Many critics contend, however, that the country should take a closer look at the role played by the German Empire, which was an ally of the Ottoman Empire at the time of the massacres. By Ceyda Nurtsch
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Germany's Middle East policyIs Germany changing tack?
Violent conflicts are spreading throughout the Middle East. The German government is extending a hand to the Egyptian president, siding with Saudi Arabia in the Yemen conflict and delivering weapons to the Peshmerga. But there is criticism from the opposition and scepticism within the ruling coalition. By Bettina Marx
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Interview with Nader Othman, deputy PM of the Syrian interim governmentPeople want professionals, not Facebook heroes
The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces and the interim government it has formed have been subject to international criticism. They are regarded as ineffective, disunited and lacking support in Syria. Kristin Helberg spoke to the deputy prime minister of the interim government, Nader Othman, about elected provincial councils, progress and why Syria now needs engineers, not heroes
Society
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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.
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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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Female genital mutilation in EgyptUsing comedy to combat a cruel tradition
The group "HaraTV" in Egypt uses theatre to try to enlighten people about female genital mutilation. Elisabeth Lehmann attended one of their performances
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Exhibition: "SNIP IT! Stances on Ritual Circumcision"An objective examination of a controversial issue
With its exhibition "SNIP IT! Stances on Ritual Circumcision", the Jewish Museum in Berlin offers surprising and diverse insights into the significance of a ritual about which few people in Germany know very much at all. Igal Avidan went to see the exhibition
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The emergence of Islamic State in Pakistan"They don't negotiate, they don't make partners"
Islamic State (IS) has shocked the world with its bulldozer-like advance over Sunni-dominated areas of Iraq and Syria. Ever since it declared a caliphate, there have been fears that the group may supersede al-Qaida as the vanguard of global jihadist movements. According to Kiran Nazish in Pakistan, IS has been trying to recruit from the jihadist stream in South Asia
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Saudi authorities crack down on bloggersAssault on the freedom of expression
Saudi blogger Raif Badawi was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes by a Saudi court. His crime: using the freedom afforded by the Internet to express his opinion on the religious authorities in his country. He is not the only one in Saudi Arabia to fall foul of the authorities. In general, the crackdown on freedom of expression has been in full swing for quite some time. By Kersten Knipp
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Interview with Asma Jahangir, winner of the Right Livelihood Award"Every restriction is based on religion"
This year, activist and human rights lawyer Asma Jahangir became the first woman from Pakistan to win the Right Livelihood Award (also known as the "alternative Nobel Prize"). She spoke to Roma Rajpal Weiss about the difficult circumstances facing human rights activists in Pakistan
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The papal visit to TurkeyA message of peace and dialogue
Pope Francis' three-day visit to Turkey was the first papal visit to that country in eight years. The pontiff made a lasting impression on the Turkish people. By Luise Sammann in Istanbul
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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The Cultural Scene in IraqReturning to Something Like Normality
In the wake of the long years of terror, a vibrant cultural scene is once more flourishing in Iraq. But people still have come to terms with the fact that culture in the 'New Iraq' is becoming more and more privatised. Birgit Svensson reports from Baghdad
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Stand-up Comedy in DubaiClean Humour for the Arab World
Stand-up comedians have a reputation for using provocative and often political jokes. Not to be daunted by this apparent obstacle to success, an American and an Emirati are trying to create a stand-up scene in the conservative Arab Gulf states. Through their Dubai comedy school, they promote a clean brand of humour. Christoph Dreyer reports
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Interview with Mohammad Reza Shajarian''Humanity is what art is all about''
For Iranians around the world Mohammad Reza Shajarian is the embodiment of classical Persian culture. In the summer of 2009 his support of the Iranian reform movement made him vastly popular among the young generation. An interview by Marian Brehmer
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Omar ''Bombino'' MoctarRebel Music from the Sahara
After years of struggle, many of the Tuareq rebels have switched to making music in order to promote their people's cultural identity. One of the most remarkable "former rebel musicians" is Omar "Bombino" Moctar. Richard Marcus introduces the man and his music
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Mohammad Ali Talebi's Film ''Bad o Meh''Childhood during the Iran-Iraq war
"Bad o Meh – Wind and Fog" is the latest film by Iranian director Mohammad Ali Talebi. The story revolves around children who have suffered traumas as a result of the Iran-Iraq war. Rachel Y. Baig/André Leslie introduce the film and its director
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Contemporary Art in Saudi ArabiaImages of a Changing Society
For a long time, there has been a great deal of scepticism towards art in Saudi Arabia. The main reason has been the state religion of Wahhabism, which offers a particularly strict reading of Islam. Yet, a small but dynamic art scene has since emerged. Kersten Knipp reports
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750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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