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Palestinians in EgyptTo stay or to return to Gaza?
In Egypt, Palestinians displaced by war in Gaza face a painful dilemma: return to their families and a devastated homeland or remain in limbo without residency. Medical needs, financial hardship and border fears make the decision fraught.
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Syed Muhammad Naquib al-AttasA life rethinking the foundations of knowledge
Malaysian philosopher and polymath Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas has died aged 94. A lifelong critic of Western intellectual dominance, his work has shaped debates on modernity and education across the Muslim world.
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Ramadan TV specialsSyrian drama after Assad
Television dramas are a Ramadan staple in Syria. This year, for the first time, viewers watched series written in a post-Assad era, some confronting past trauma, others offering satirical critique, sparking fierce debate over how the country's stories should be told.
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Culture in GermanyThe politics of neutrality
This year’s Berlinale highlighted the tensions between art and supposedly neutral institutions. But state-funded cultural bodies don't operate outside politics; they set the terms of debate. Greater transparency about how boundaries are drawn could strengthen trust.
Politics
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Iran WarWill the Gulf states stand together?
Hard hit by Iranian attacks, the business model of the Gulf states is under attack. Yet they are far from defenceless: with coordination—and unity—they could establish themselves as powerful agents of change.
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Attacks on IranDid the Saudis want this war?
Saudi Arabia's calculations in the Iran war may be different from what many assume. Rockets and drones are flying towards Doha, Dubai and even Riyadh—yet the kingdom could still see opportunities in the conflict.
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Interview with Ahdaf SoueifHappy to Follow the Tahrir Youth's Lead
One year after the fall of Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian author and activist Ahdaf Soueif is full of hope for the revolution to achieve its final aims of human rights and social justice. In this interview with Christoph Dreyer, she talks about changed Western perceptions of the Arab world, her relation to the Tahrir youth, and the balance between explaining the revolution and taking part in it
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Egypt a Year after the Military Takeover of PowerFrom a Secular Uprising to a Muslim Democracy?
The fundamental change that took place in Egypt in 2011 is considered a turning point in history. Where is the country heading politically? What role will religion play in the Egyptian state and society in the future? By Thomas Demmelhuber
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The Arab League and the Iraqi-Syrian RelationshipBaghdad's Surprising Support for a Former Enemy
The Arab League's mission in Syria is coming in for heavy criticism – and so is Iraq, which brokered the mission: the country has performed a drastic about-face that many find quite astonishing. Birgit Svensson in Baghdad has the details
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Anniversary of the Egyptian RebellionEgypt's Protesters Ready for the Next Revolution
On the face of it, not much has changed since the protests against former President Hosni Mubarak's regime began a year ago. Now, activists want to start another revolution to topple the military council. By Viktoria Kleber
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Turkey's Military versus the GovernmentFrom Military Tutelage to Civilian Authoritarianism?
Opinion in Turkey remains divided over whether the recent remand of a former chief of General Staff on charges of coup plotting represents a further blow against an older, less democratic order, or a move by the incumbent government to further consolidate its power. Fatma Kayabal investigates
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Salafists in EgyptExploiting the Weakness of the People
The Salafists provided the biggest surprise of the Egyptian elections. They will constitute the second largest party in the new Egyptian parliament. The Salafists are seeking to present an outwardly moderate image, but it is their radical slogans that score points for them with the voters. Karim El-Gawhary reports from Cairo
Society
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Damascus book fairA new benchmark for freedom
Syria has held its first book fair since the fall of Assad. The landmark event sets a new standard against which the government and its cultural policy will be judged.
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Research on Jew-hatred in Germany"Antisemitism cannot be deported"
The concept of "imported antisemitism" is widespread in German politics but remains poorly researched. A new study provides nuance, context and data on antisemitism among both migrants and non-migrants. An interview with co-author Neta‑Paulina Wagner.
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Interview with the Poet SAID"I Have Defended My Piety against the Islamic Republic"
Since 1965 the poet SAID has lived in exile in Germany, and has found a new home in the German language. In his new book of essays, SAID involves Orient and Occident in a discussion over their common cultural roots. Eren Güvercin spoke to him
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The Intercultural City of Neukölln
Image Change through Cultural Diversity
For a long time, Neukölln was regarded as a prime example of an urban district with problems. Yet this Berlin district is becoming increasingly trendy among students and artists. Targeted political measures are one reason for the change of image. Janna Degener reports
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Interview with Zülfü Livaneli
"The EU Has Treated Turkey Unfairly"
Zülfü Livaneli is one of the Turkey's most influential intellectuals. Hülya Sancak talked to him about his film about Mustafa Atatürk, democracy, xenophobia in Turkey and the relationship between Turkey and the EU
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Germany's Team for South Africa
The Multicultural Squad
They have surnames like Marin, Özil, Cacau and Khedira, have foreign roots, and are the great hope of Germany's football fans at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Srecko Matic introduces the German squad
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Interview with Albrecht Hofheinz
"There Are Serious Concerns about Social Cohesion and Religious Identity"
Has the Internet brought about a structural change in Arab societies? Albrecht Hofheinz tried to answer this question through research. Youssef Hijazi spoke to this expert in Islamic studies
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Citizenship Rights in Iran
One Step Forward, Many More to Take
It was reported late in September 2006 that an unprecedented law had been passed in the parliament to "offer" Iranian citizenship to children born to Iranian mothers and non-Iranian fathers. Golbarg Bashi reports
Culture
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Author Taleb AlrefaiA window into the Kuwaiti soul
Does the German literary scene have a blind spot when it comes to Arabic literature? Abdulrahman Afif makes the case for the works of Kuwaiti writer Taleb Alrefai, whose socially critical literature deftly side-steps orientalist expectations.
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Mukabela in Bosnia and HerzegovinaA distinctive and enduring Ramadan tradition
For Bosnian Muslims, mukabela, the daily communal recitation of the Qur'an, is an essential part of Ramadan. The tradition dates back to the Prophet Muhammad, was popularised under Ottoman rule and has survived dictatorship and war.
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Ahmet Uluçay's "Boats Out of Watermelon Rinds"
Can Watermelons Float on Water?
After a long two-year wait, Ahmet Uluçay's feature film debut, 'Boats Out of Watermelon Rinds', is at last coming to cinemas in Europe. Inspired by his youth in Anatolia, the film is about a passion for cinema and falling in love for the first time. By Florian Blaschke
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Multilingualism and Identity
"Hey Mate, Have You i-Pod with You?"
For just under two decades now, the often very creative "mixed languages" developed by young immigrants have been part of everyday spoken German. Klaus Hübner takes a look
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The Hindu-Muslim Conflict in Bollywood Films
The Religious Conflict as a Blockbuster
The Bollywood wave has reached our western shores. But how much screen time is actually devoted to politically and socially critical issues in these Indian films, which are primarily about love, consumption, and affluence? Pouyeh Ansari reports
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Sabiha Sumar's "Silent Waters"
Women Against the Current
In this compelling film, Pakistani director Sabiha Sumar tells the story of a woman who, at the time of the division of India and Pakistan, had to hide her true identity in order to survive. By Kirsten Schulz
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Muslim Authors at the First South African Book Fair
Variety as a Community Reality
The "Celebrate Africa" book fair in Cape Town was the biggest of its kind ever to be held on African soil. Renowned Muslim writers like Imraan Coovadia und Rayda Jacobs were also invited to attend. Almuth Schellpeper reports
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Interview with Jafar Panahi
Offside Rules
Jafar Panahi, acclaimed director of Offside, a black comedy talks about a group of Iranian female football fans who are banned from watching a live world cup qualifying match.
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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