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Gilbert Achcar on the impact of 9/11"The Iraq War shattered the promise of a new world order"
The attacks of 11 September 2001 fundamentally altered US foreign policy and triggered a series of wars that have reshaped the Middle East. 25 years on, Gilbert Achcar reflects on the US response to 9/11 and its enduring impact on the region.
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Algeria and France"We must deepen our understanding of the colonial era"
History weighs heavily on Algerian-French relations. Historian Benjamin Stora discusses the obstacles and progress made towards a shared culture of remembrance, and the threat posed by the French far right as elections approach.
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Remembering Sliman MansourThe artist behind a Palestinian icon
"Camel of Hardship" by Sliman Mansour, who died on 24 August, is one of the most recognisable images in Palestinian art. Asmaa al-Ghoul tells how it came to appear on walls across the country and why it remains deeply embedded in collective memory.
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Taliban in AfghanistanPower consolidated, society reshaped
In the five years since regaining power, the Taliban have cemented their rule in Afghanistan, bringing armed conflict in the country to a relative lull. Their ambitions go beyond maintaining control: they are seeking to transform the country from the bottom up.
Politics
More about Politics-
Death sentence for Bashar al-AssadJustice cannot be rushed
The abrupt verdict against Bashar al-Assad is a missed opportunity for justice. A genuine trial could have documented the full extent of his crimes and given survivors a platform to tell their stories.
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Turkey's Süleymancı communityThe cost of staying outside Erdoğan's orbit
The Süleymancı religious movement has long resisted being drawn into Erdoğan's Sunni conservative coalition. Now the state is accusing the group of financial crimes. Salim Çevik examines the crackdown, the community's political history and its ties to Germany.
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Secular versus religious in the Israel Defense ForcesInto battle with the Bible
The Israeli military rabbinate has never had clearly defined competencies. Recently, there has been a growing number of protests against its increasing attempts to "sacralise" the army. By Joseph Croitoru
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Succession in the Saudi royal familyGeneration change in Saudi Arabia?
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is one of the oldest monarchs in the world. He has named two of his brothers as his successors. The only difficulty is that the two princes are almost as old as the ailing autocrat himself. By Anne Allmeling
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The Middle East in 2014New regional power games
The rise of Islamic State in Syria and Iraq has dramatically altered the regional order. While Iran and Turkey are becoming key political players in the crisis-torn area, the West continues to lose influence. An analysis by Karim El-Gawhary
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The Muslim world and the WestEurope is not under threat
Muslims today are grappling with each other, not with the West. In this essay, Charlotte Wiedemann argues that the conflicts, battles and wars being fought in the Islamic world are principally waged among Muslims and not against the West
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Interview with Rachid Ghannouchi"If you sow dictatorship, you harvest terrorism"
Rachid Ghannouchi is the leader of Tunisia's Ennahda Party. He was recently awarded this year's Ibn Rushd Prize. Daniel Bax and Tsafrir Cohen spoke to him about his country's liberal constitution, the freedom to cast off religion, and Tunisia's pioneering role in the Arab world that highlights the compatibility of Islam and democracy
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Restrictions on Egyptian NGOsSilencing the voice of civil society
In recent months, Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has passed a number of laws that will weaken the country's civil society. Local NGOs and foreign foundations alike will suffer under the new laws. By Elisabeth Lehmann
Society
More about Society-
Inequality in MoroccoCeuta was a referendum
Shortly before the general election, the mass crossing into Ceuta has shaken Morocco's image as a stable and thriving nation. The fact that so many people embarked on the journey reveals the depth of discontent in the country.
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Afghans in Germany"Most of us feel betrayed"
Five years on from the fall of Kabul, the German government is cooperating with the Taliban. Mitra Hashemi from the German-Afghan Friendship Society talks about the Afghan community in Germany, a lack of recognition and responsibility towards their relatives in Afghanistan.
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Ramadan in BrazilMaintaining the tradition
The small Muslim community in the Brazilian metropolis Recife meets every evening in the city's only Muslim centre to break their fast with the iftar dinner. Most of the people in the community are African immigrants. Ekrem Güzeldere reports
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India's rape problemNew rape laws must be implemented
A series of brutal gang rapes in India has once again highlighted the rampant problem of violence against women in the country. Despite recent law reforms and harsher penalties, little is being done by the authorities to prevent crimes against women. By Roma Rajpal Weiss
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Muslims in BrazilA culturally vibrant minority
Brazil has a very small Muslim population, but it is one with a long history. The ancestors of many of today's Brazilian Muslims arrived in successive waves of immigration from Africa and Europe, later also from Syria and Lebanon. As Ekrem Güzeldere discovered, they are now a well-integrated minority
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Soccer as a force for integrationSuccess through diversity
Mesut Özil and his team colleagues not only represent multicultural Germany: they also serve as popular role models within German society. This shows that football should be afforded greater recognition as a force for integration, says Shohreh Karimian
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The Muslim Rohingya in MyanmarIn the shadow of an icon
Since 2012 there have been repeated violent clashes between Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar. Human rights activists accuse the government and state security forces of ethnic cleansing, murder and persecution. Charlotte Wiedemann reports on the fate of the country's Muslim Rohingya people
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Rohingya Muslims in MyanmarThe spectre of ethnic violence reappears
In the light of a recent series of bills proposed by the Myanmar government that seek to restrict an individual's right to religious freedom, critics fear a further increase in discrimination and violence against the marginalised community of Rohingya Muslims.
Culture
More about Culture-
Egyptian photographer Roger Anis"The Nile is part of our collective consciousness"
Egyptian photographer Roger Anis has spent nearly a decade documenting the world's longest river. In 2024, he revived an ancient Nile procession with local fishermen, turning their boats into a moving celebration of the river and its communities.
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Miss Syria 2026"For me, beauty is self-confidence and presence"
At this year’s Miss Arab World pageant, which took place in Cairo, Syria was represented by Muna Almohamad, who was born and raised in Germany. She wants to encourage women to be true to themselves and become more visible.
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Interview with the Libyan Writer Ibrahim Al-KoniThe Destructive Nature of Tyranny
Ibrahim Al-Koni is arguably the world's best-known Libyan writer. Although he usually refrains from making direct political comment, in this interview with Susanne Schanda he talks about his experience of the uprising in Libya
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The Belgian Dance Artist Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
Living Together, Dancing Together
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui received the Kairos prize in 2009, one of the most prestigious European awards for culture. His work has not only captivated the critics: even audiences less familiar with the abstract grammar of modern dance appear enthusiastic. By Amin Farzanefar
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Pop Music and Social Protest in the Arab World
The Echo of Revolt
The popular uprisings in the Arab world have spawned a whole new line-up of musicians who clearly denounce the political and social inequities in their countries. Yet, this protest culture is not a completely new phenomena, as Arian Fariborz reports
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Interview with Florian Vetsch
Tangier, City of Mythical Splendour
With their exotic flair and Arabian Nights appeal, holiday destinations in the Arab world exert an irresistible pull on western visitors. Alfred Hackensberger spoke with the Florian Vetsch about oriental clichés and his book 'Tanger Trance' (Tangier Trance)
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Alia Yunis: "The Night Counter"
Scheherazade in America
In her novel 'The Night Counter', Alia Yunis tells the story of a Lebanese-American family in the USA that has cut its ties with its Arab origins. In Yunis's book, Scheherazade, does not relate stories, but listens to them instead. By Volker Kaminski
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Interview with Iranian Writer Mahmud Doulatabadi
"Our Society is in Ferment"
Mahmud Doulatabadi's novel 'The Colonel' is censored in Iran. Andreas Fanizadeh spoke to the Iranian writer about the 2009 protest movement, literature and censorship in the theocracy
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
Most read articles
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Gilbert Achcar über Folgen von 9/11
"Der Irakkrieg hat die Weltordnung zertrümmert"
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Nachruf auf Sliman Mansour
Sein Bild hing überall in Palästina
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Stephan J. Kramer zum Mord an Marwa al-Sherbini
Im Zeichen der Solidarität mit allen Muslimen
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Ägyptischer Fotograf Roger Anis
„Der Nil ist Teil unseres kollektiven Bewusstseins“
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Algeriens Zukunft unter Präsident Bouteflika
Der kranke Mann am Mittelmeer
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Shida Bazyars Roman „Die Lücken“
Aus einem deutschen Dorf