Qantara Startseite Englisch
-
DenaturalisationKuwait is stripping its leading intellectuals of citizenship
Up to 300,000 people in Kuwait have lost their citizenship in the last two years. What the authorities describe as a "correction" is leaving stars of the national cultural scene stateless. Among them is Talib al-Rifai, the "father of the Kuwaiti novel".
-
Iraq's Anfal campaignThe survivor who brought her torturer to justice
After decades in hiding, the head of a notorious prison during the 1988 campaign against Iraq's Kurds has been sentenced to death. For survivor Fazila Mohammad, who helped identify him, the verdict is a milestone, but not the end.
-
Libyan commander at the ICCThe "angel of death" on trial
The ICC has confirmed charges against Khaled El Hishri, accused of crimes against humanity at Tripoli's Mitiga prison. The first Libyan suspect to appear before the court, his trial could expose a wider system of abuse affecting Libyans, migrants and refugees.
-
Israel's high-tech warfareA new era of automated violence
In Gaza, mobile phones are both a lifeline and a threat, feeding algorithmic targeting systems while remaining essential for survival. Researcher Gihan AbouZeid examines how AI-driven surveillance technologies are reshaping the experience of war.
Politics
More about Politics-
Syria after AssadStriking deals with the old elites
The HTS regime presents itself as the "liberator of Syria" while collaborating with key figures from the Assad era. Instead of conducting a thorough reckoning with the past, the new elites are consolidating power with the help of the old.
-
Saudi sports policyThe limits of Saudi Arabia's football ambitions
Saudi Arabia has emerged as an influential player in the politics of international sports, particularly football. The 2034 World Cup will be hosted by the Kingdom, but war in the Gulf could be jeopardising its ambitious goals.
-
Syrian opposition groupsTime to join forces
The well-known Syrian opposition figure and journalist Michel Kilo believes that only a national alliance of all rebel groups can break the terrorism perpetrated by the organisation Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) and the Assad regime
-
Interview with Elif Shafak"There is a lack of democratic culture in Turkey"
The Turkish writer Elif Shafak is one of the country's best-selling authors and one of the best known Turkish writers worldwide. In her books, she intertwines sensitive Turkish issues with cosmopolitan stories and Sufism. In this interview, she talks to Ceyda Nurtsch about how she plays with language, the role of fiction and the democratisation of Turkey
-
Muslims in German political partiesThe diversity trend
In Germany, both the Greens and the Christian Democrats have had working groups for Muslim members for some time now. In February, the Social Democrats followed suit. Are these new groups really and truly different? Or are Germany's main political parties simply jumping on the diversity trend bandwagon? By Ulrike Hummel
-
Erdogan and the Turkish presidential electionHis toughest challenge yet?
Following the ruling AKP's success in March's local elections, attention is now focused on Turkey's presidential election in August. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is widely expected to stand. Dorian Jones considers what this would mean for the Turkish political system and for the country
-
Interview with Yasmina Khadra"The Algerian regime is pulling all the strings"
The renowned Algerian writer, Mohammed Moulessehoul, who goes by his pen name Yasmina Khadra, wanted to stand as an independent candidate for the presidency of Algeria. He funded his own campaign and criss-crossed the country seeking nomination. Unfortunately, he only managed to win the support of 43,000 people, 17,000 short of the minimum number needed to be able to contest the election. Regina Keil-Sagawe spoke to the author about his campaign and about the situation in Algeria
-
Presidential election in AlgeriaOut with the old, in with the old
On 17 April, Algeria goes to the polls to elect a new president. However, it seems as if the new president will be the old one: Abdelaziz Bouteflika. But even though the outcome seems like a foregone conclusion, political resistance is forming. By Kersten Knipp
Society
More about Society-
Iran's Gulf regionMore than a strait
The Strait of Hormuz is at the centre of geopolitical tensions. But a closer look at the cultural landscape reveals a different picture: on Iran's southern coast, African, Indian and Arab influences converge, creating a cultural tapestry far removed from the image of a homogeneous theocratic state.
-
Reconstruction in SyriaWhose land will major investors build on?
Syria is relying on competition and foreign investment to fund its reconstruction efforts. In Damascus, citizens are being asked to sell their land for a multi-billion property project. Yet many long to rebuild their own homes.
-
Pakistani Cartoon SeriesSuperhero in a Burqa
A burqa-wearing superhero? The first episode of Haroon Rashid's animated "Burka Avenger" has been broadcast in Pakistan. The creator of the series says he wants to create a role model for girls in his country. By Rachel Baig
-
Interview with Pakistani Media Expert Fauzia ShaheenHow Pakistan's Media Is Defending Democracy
Fauzia Shaheen is a media expert, women's activist and president of the Women Media Centre in Pakistan. She would like to promote equal opportunities for women in Pakistan's media by training female journalists. Julie Schwannecke spoke to her about the current role of the media, press freedom and democracy in Pakistan
-
German-Iranian RelationsMutual Understanding
More exchange in academia, the arts and sports would contribute to improving Germany's relations with Iran, experts say. Such exchange would strengthen civil society in Iran and boost mutual understanding. By Mareike Forchheim
-
Young Muslims in GermanyTaking a Stand for Society
The first network made up of engaged, young, well-educated Muslims has been active in Germany now for more than three years. The network, called “Zahnräder” (Gear Wheels), has brought together Muslims from various disciplines and interests, regardless of ethnic background or internal Islamic differences. By Claudia Mende
-
Media in SyriaOnline Radio Station Gives Syrians Hope
Baladna FM has one major goal: to give users hope in the midst of Syria's bloody civil war. Reporters recount stories of everyday life in Syrian cities and face invisible enemies on the Internet. Jan Bruck talked to the producers of Baladna FM
-
Integration in GermanyTime for Majority Society to Change Its Attitude
In Germany, many Muslim women feel pressurised into re-defining and justifying their identities and their belongingness on a daily basis. Melahat Kişi feels strongly that instead of focusing on differences, the time has come to accept that all citizens of migrant origin in Germany belong to German society. No ifs, no buts
Culture
More about Culture-
Egyptian film "Asad"Slave drama sparks debate on national identity
In Egypt, a historical film has sparked a present-day controversy, with critics accusing "Asad" of distorting the past and promoting Afrocentric narratives. Beneath the political rhetoric, however, lies a deeper cultural dispute.
-
Iranian author Shahrnush ParsipurWriting in defiance
With the death of Shahrnush Parsipur, Iran has lost one of its most indomitable literary voices. The author of "Women Without Men" confronted censorship and oppression throughout her life. Most recently, she refused to glorify the war against Iran as a liberation.
-
Interview with Sinan AntoonUsing Irony to Tackle Trauma
According to the Iraqi writer Sinan Antoon, the current events in Iraq can only be understood in conjunction with the effects on the Iraqi psyche of Saddam Hussein's brutal dictatorship and the Iran-Iraq War. Ibtisam Azem talked to the author in Berlin
-
A Visit to Mansoura ez-Eldin
In Search of a Literature of Intimacy
Manoura ez-Eldin, born in 1976, is one of the most promising of Egypt's young generation of writers. In her work, she paints an affectionate portrait of modern life in Egypt. Axel von Ernst visited her at work in Cairo
-
Hans Christian Andersen's Trips to the Orient
"Treasures That Would Grace Any Hothouse in Europe"
The Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, whose 200th birthday is currently being celebrated around the world, was known for his extensive traveling. His lust for adventure led him as far away as Morocco. Christian Hauck recounts the author's impressions
-
Historic Photographs of the Orient 1864-1970
With Camel and Camera
For decades, a unique collection of historic photographs of the Orient lay forgotten at the Hamburg Museum of Ethnology. Now, the stock of 18,000 pictures has been catalogued and made accessible to the public in the form of an exhibition. Nimet Seker reports
-
Sabahattin Ali: "Madonna in a Fur Coat"
A Turkish Love Story in Berlin
The Turkish writer Sabahattin Ali lived in Germany from 1928 to 1930. His novel 'Kürk Mantolu Madonna' (Madonna in a Fur Coat) is a story of unrequited love set in 1920s Berlin, which shows a young man the way out of his loneliness. Volker Kaminski read the new German translation
-
Palestinian-British Author Samir El-Youssef
The Language of a Lost Youth
The Palestinian writer Samir El-Youssef has found his identity in exile in London. Yet the idea of a homeland has always been alien to him. A portrait.
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
Most read articles
-
Staatenlosigkeit
Kuwait bürgert seine klügsten Köpfe aus
-
Libyen am Internationalen Strafgerichtshof
Der „Todesengel“ auf der Anklagebank
-
Irans Golfregion
Mehr als eine Meerenge
-
Literatur aus dem Osmanischen Reich
21 Jahre jung – und der arabischen Moderne voraus
-
Wiederaufbau in Syrien
Auf wessen Boden bauen Großinvestoren?
-
Ägyptischer Film „Asad“
Sklaven-Drama entfacht nationale Identitätsdebatte