Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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Iran protestsMass anger in a political void
From bazaar strike to national revolt: Iran's current protest wave has achieved unprecedented social and geographic reach. But without a unifying programme or cohesive demands, can it withstand the regime's brutal response?
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Films on SudanStories from elsewhere
The war in Sudan has made displacement a fact of life for millions. Two new films, with Sudanese women at their core, reflect this reality through very different lenses. A review of "Aisha Can't Fly Away" and "Cotton Queen".
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Syrians in TurkeyA home for Istanbul's refugees
Based in an inconspicuous room in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district, Addar offers Syrian refugees education, advice and community. But without proper funding, the initiative is struggling to survive.
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The murder of Ben BarkaNew revelations from Israel's archives
The book "L'Affaire Ben Barka" reveals new details about the assassination of Moroccan opposition leader Mehdi Ben Barka. Long-secret Israeli documents show the role of Mossad in one of the 20th century's most mysterious murders.
Politics
More about Politics-
Syria's economyAusterity and liberalisation won't rebuild the country
Syria's government is pursuing economic growth through liberalisation, foreign investment and cuts to state spending. These moves benefit the new elite but won't lift the majority out of crisis.
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Religion in the armed forcesMilitary imams to be introduced in Germany
From 2026, Germany's Bundeswehr will recruit chaplains for Muslim soldiers, responding to calls from Islamic associations that go back over two decades.
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Presidential election in SyriaNo Holds Barred
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad intends to have himself confirmed in office for a further seven years in early June. The regime's propaganda machinery is running flat out in advance of the election. Since the beginning of the revolution, the Syrian powers-that-be have been working hard to turn both domestic and international public opinion in their favour. By Martina Sabra
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The Bahraini activist Ala'a ShehabiDavid versus goliath
The Bahraini economist Ala'a Shehabi has taken up the fight for democracy in her native country. In light of the fact that the repression of activists has increased here over the past three years and that the regime is spending millions on PR, hers is set to be a long, uphill struggle. By Iris Mostegel
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Presidential election in EgyptNo real choice
It is a foregone conclusion that Egypt's military ruler Abdul Fattah al-Sisi will win the first presidential election since the ousting of the Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July 2013. Nevertheless, true democracy in the land on the Nile is still a long way off, writes Loay Mudhoon
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Pope Francis in the Middle EastGestures laden with symbolism
The visit of Pope Francis to the Israeli-occupied West Bank has lifted the spirits of Christians across the region. The Pope expressed his solidarity with the Palestinian people through actions rather than words: not only did he fly directly to the West Bank from Jordan instead of stopping in Tel Aviv first, he also prayed at the Israeli separation wall. By Kate Shuttleworth
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Federalism and state-building in YemenBetween transition and stagnation
With the conclusion of the National Dialogue Conference and the decision to introduce a federal system, Yemen would appear to be moving forward in its transition process, paving the way for a new constitution and democratic elections. However, things in the country are not as rosy as they might seem at first glance. By Marie-Christine Heinze
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Presidential election in EgyptThe déja vu state
Hardly anyone doubts that Abdul Fattah al-Sisi will sweep to victory in Egypt's presidential election on 26 and 27 May, restoring the old, repressive Egyptian state. In this essay, Atef Botros outlines why he feels that it is questionable whether Sisi will succeed and be able to maintain his grip on power in the long term.
Society
More about Society-
Education in SyriaReturning pupils face language barrier
Eleven-year-old Ali spent six years in Germany. Now back in Syria, he is struggling with Arabic, his native language, as the new government appears overwhelmed by the task of reintegrating returning schoolchildren.
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Egyptian feminist Nawal El Saadawi"Intersectional long before the term was coined"
A seminal feminist text by Nawal El Saadawi has been translated into English and German for the first time, over five decades after it first appeared in Arabic. Publisher and translator Sophie Haesen explains why it should be essential reading worldwide.
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Christians in TunisiaCause for Concern
Pressure on Tunisian Christians in Tunisia has grown since the nation's Jasmine Revolution. Observations from Katharina Pfannkuch in Tunis
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Two New Books on the Gülen MovementHappy Altruists Everywhere
The American sociologist of religion Helen Rose Ebaugh and the German journalist Jochen Thies wanted to take a closer look at the Gülen movement and the educational activities of its adherents. Both books, however, lack the necessary critical distance says Jan Kuhlmann
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Syrian Boat Refugees in Egypt"Head Straight on to Europe!"
Many Syrian refugees are trying to reach Europe from Egypt via the Mediterranean. They are risking their lives to escape the civil war in their homeland. A reportage by Karim El-Gawhary in Abukir, Egypt
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Interview with Lina Attalah"The Media Are PR Machines of the Military"
After being dismissed from the newspaper Egypt Independent, editor-in-chief Lina Attalah founded the alternative news website Mada Masr. Egyptian media are in "a very precarious condition", she says – and calls for a new kind of critical journalism. Interview by Jannis Hagmann
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Alternative Nobel Prize for the Palestinian Raji Sourani"We Just Don't Have the Right to Give up Hope"
The Palestinian lawyer Raji Sourani has been named laureate of the 2013 'Alternative Nobel Prize' "for his unwavering dedication to upholding the rule of law under exceptionally difficult circumstances". Sourani sees the award as an "incentive not to lose hope". By Ulrike Schleicher
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Germany's "Migrant MPs"So Where Are You Really From?
Among the new German parliamentarians are 35 with an "immigration background" – a label they find unfortunate, as they are not there to merely fulfill a quota. Naomi Conrad talked to several of these parliamentarians in Berlin
Culture
More about Culture-
Jafar Panahi's film "It Was Just an Accident"Humanism and humour
In the Iranian director's most critical film yet, Jafar Panahi presents a cross-section of society, takes aim at the practice of torture and shows fearless women claiming space. But there's still room for comedy.
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Historical photographs of SyriaAn obsessive archivist
Ahmed Hasan sold his house to pursue a passion for historical photographs. His collection traces Syria's history through everyday life.
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Interview with Nedim Gürsel"A Thinker Must Be Allowed to Question Belief"
Turkish writer Nedim Gürsel may face a prison sentence because his novel The Daughters of Allah has offended Muslims' religious sensibilities. Ramon Schack spoke to the renowned author about religion, literature and politics in Turkey
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The Moroccan-Belgian Writer Rachida Lamrabet
Dreaming of "Woman Country"
In her novel "Woman Country", Rachida Lamrabet describes the painful soul-searching of a Moroccan woman who has emigrated to Belgium. The young woman finds herself torn between a western lifestyle and the traditions of her homeland. A review by Volker Kaminski
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Portrait: Singer Hindi Zahra
Nomad between Morocco and Europe
Hindi Zahra is the new face of a young generation of emancipated, cosmopolitan songwriters in North Africa. Her album "Handmade" is due to be released in late February. Stefan Franzen caught up with Hindi Zahra in Paris
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Interview with Iman Humaydan Younes
Sectarianism as a Dead End for Lebanon
The books of Iman Humaydan Younes, with their poetic language rich in images and their sensitive insight into the interior lives of her protagonists, have led to acclaim for her work world-wide. Ariana Mirza spoke to the Lebanese writer about war, art and society
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Interview with Farhad Darya
"Life Is Beautiful! Don't Ruin It!"
The world community and local politics should pay more heed to Afghan culture, says Farhad Darya, the internationally known pop star and UN ambassador. He explained the reasons in an interview with Eleonore von Bothmer, and also talked about the power of music
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Turkish Elvis Impersonator Nevrez Caliskan
The King Is Alive and Well … in Germany!
This month marks the 75th anniversary of Elvis Presley's birth. Nevrez Caliskan, a 41-year-old Turk from Germany's industrial heartland, the Ruhr, is a professional Elvis impersonator and tribute act. He dances, sings, and gyrates just like his idol. Murat Koyuncu went to see him
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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