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 EgyptA nation marching in step
Anyone seen filming in Cairo these days should expect to be approached by an upright citizen demanding to see a permit and referring to the omnipresent threat of terrorism. On the eve of the presidential election in Egypt, fighting terrorism and not boosting the country's crippled economy seems to be right at the top of the political agenda. A commentary by Stefan Buchen in Cairo
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Interview with the political theorist Rajeev Bhargava"The BJP has to give up its obsession with Muslims"
India's new ruling party has earned itself the reputation of inciting communal tension, and its leader has been accused of turning a blind eye to anti-Muslim violence. Marian Brehmer spoke to India's leading political scientist, Rajeev Bhargava, about Narendra Modi's electoral victory, Hindu–Muslim relations and secularism
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Presidential election in EgyptIn the heartland of the al-Sisi cult
The residents of Gamaliya in Cairo are extremely proud of their district's son, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. Markus Symank visited the quarter where the former Egyptian army chief spent his formative years to get a feel for the man who is most likely to be Egypt's next head of state
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The introduction of Sharia in BruneiThe sultan's new laws
The tiny sultanate of Brunei is the first country in South-East Asia to officially impose Islamic Sharia law at national level. Roxana Isabel Duerr considers what this means for Brunei and the development of Islam in the region
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Reconciliation between Hamas and FatahNo peace without Palestinian unity
The Palestinian organisations Hamas and Fatah plan to seal an alliance with each other – primarily out of necessity. Reconciliation is difficult; the danger of failure is great. It is for precisely this reason that the US and Europe should support the process. A commentary by René Wildangel
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The economic power of the Egyptian armyEverything under control
While poverty and unemployment rates in Egypt are on the rise, the country's generals live comfortably and the army's businesses are booming. In fact, since the revolution, the army has managed to consolidate its economic power – with the help of foreign countries seeking to influence domestic politics in Egypt. By Markus Symank in Cairo
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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Women Entrepreneurs in the Arab WorldSuccessful Together
"Ouissal" means "connection". A new project bearing this name offers women entrepreneurs from Germany and Tunisia the opportunity to get to know each other and offer mutual support in their professional careers – a dialogue between equal partners. By Martina Sabra
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"Open Forums" in TurkeyNew Forms of Participation
The Gezi Park protests have led to the emergence of local grassroots committees or "Open Forums" in many Turkish towns and cities. Their goal: To preserve quality of life in residential areas and foster political dialogue and development. A commentary by Ceyda Nurtsch from the "Open Forum" in the Istanbul neighbourhood of Beyoğlu
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Christians in EgyptPersecuted and Forgotten
Anti-Christian violence is on the rise in Egypt. Although 45 churches and buildings were burned to the ground just a month ago, the Egyptian state is doing little to protect the country's Christians. By Markus Symank
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Cultural Dialogue in GermanyOvercoming a Bloc Mind-set in East and West
At the invitation of Federal President Joachim Gauck, several thousand citizens met at Berlin's Schloss Bellevue to exchange views at the "place of encounters". Fabian Pianka depicts the current mood prevailing in Germany with regard to immigrants, how art can help in conflict situations, and the state of the dialogue with the Islamic world
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Media in EgyptFall into Line or Switch Off
Just two years ago, the Arab Spring prompted many observers to talk about supposed Facebook revolutions. Looking at the state of the media today, and especially in Egypt, we can see a return to the old mechanisms of safeguarding authoritarian rule. By Carola Richter
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Interview with Uri Avnery"Pessimism Means Nothing to Me"
Israeli peace activist Uri Avnery is celebrating his 90th birthday. In this interview with Tania Krämer, he offers his perspective on the recent Middle East peace talks and the many questions arising from the Syrian conflict
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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The Syrian Writer Abeer EsberRespect, Not Labels
The Syrian author, film critic and screenwriter Abeer Esber rejects the label "female writer" and instead aims to take up progressive issues in her novels that transcend gender. Abeer Esber on censorship, taboos and the place of women in contemporary Arabic literature
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Modern Dance from Lebanon
The Assassination of Omar Rajeh
The Lebanese dance company Maqamat are currently touring Europe with the play 'The Assassination of Omar Rajeh'. The group stands for politically engaged and aesthetically ambitious modern dance. Amin Farzanefar introduces the first ever Lebanese dance company
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Publishers in the Arab World
You Don't Have a Chance, so Take it!
Almost everywhere in the Arab world, publishers have to make do without any marketing or distribution. How, then, do books reach their readers? Arab publishers met at a workshop in Abu Dhabi to seek common solutions. Gabriele Rubner has the details
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Portrait Amir Hassan Cheheltan
A Love-Hate Relationship with Tehran
Although the Iranian writer Amir Hassan Cheheltan does not regard himself as a primarily political author, his novels are clear denunciations of Iran's social constraints and human tragedies. Volker Kaminski met him
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The Arab Jews
Language, Poetry, and Singularity
A joint Arab-Jewish identity seems an impossibility given the current political situation in the Middle East. And yet it was a reality, exemplified by Arabic-speaking Jews and their writers. In his extensive essay Reuven Snir investigates the complex history of Arab Jews
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Interview with Almut Sh. Bruckstein Çoruh
Picasso and Koran
An exhibition entitled "Taswir – Pictorial Mappings of Islam and Modernity" in Berlin brings contemporary art into contact with classical Islamic art. This creates completely new perspectives, changing previous perceptions on Islamic art. Nimet Seker spoke with Almut Sh. Bruckstein Çoruh, the curator of the exhibition
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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