Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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Migrant exploitation in LibyaLandmark trafficking trial nears verdict
Judges are set to deliver a verdict in the case of an Eritrean man accused of extorting migrants in Libya. The first alleged leader of such a network to appear in a European court, the case reveals the inner workings of transnational trafficking.
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"Archiving Gaza" anthologyA vivid record of life before the war
"Archiving Gaza in the Present" brings together essays on Gazan art, literature, music and archaeology. By preserving the memory of a once-vibrant cultural world while confronting the scale of its loss, it stands as one of the most important recent books on Gaza.
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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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Nahid Siamdoust on Iran's protests"Revolution has become more conceivable today"
Is Iran's regime at a breaking point? Nahid Siamdoust assesses the significance of the recent uprising, examines its potential leaders and outlines five possible scenarios for what comes next.
Politics
More about Politics-
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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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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Copts in EgyptThe Dome Dispute
The recent attack on a Coptic church in Alexandria has highlighted the increasing sectarian tensions in Egypt. In the Cairo neighbourhood of Omraniya, the construction of a Coptic church building was halted. By Amira El Ahl
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Interview with Sihem Bensedrine
"The EU is an Accomplice of this Criminal Regime"
The people's uprising in Tunisia is not just about the state of the economy, but also about civil rights and dignity, says Tunisian opposition activist Sihem Bensedrine in this interview with Reiner Wandler
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The Sudan
Oil-Cursed
Sudan seems to confirm the theory that oil-rich countries do not develop politically. How did oil become a political factor there? And how has it marginalised the people in the south of the country? By Elke Grawert and Atta El-Battahani
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Sudan ahead of Elections
Fragile Statehood
Sudan's people will go to the polls in April. Less than a year later, southern Sudan will probably hold a referendum on independence. However, experts warn that elections alone cannot turn a country into a democracy. By Christian Jahn
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Anti-Islamisation Conference in Paris
United against a Common Enemy
The "Assises Contre L'Islamisation de L'Europe", a congress recently held in Paris, provided rightwing extremists and opponents of Islam with a welcome forum to issue new tirades of hatred against Muslim immigrants. By Bernhard Schmid
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The Turkish AKP as Role Model for the Arab World?
No Counterpart
Western politicians see the Turkish AKP as a role model for change among the Islamist parties in the Arab world. They fail to recognise that the Turkish experience with Islamism is unlikely to be successful in Arab countries.
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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"Beit Hawa" Women's Refuge in Egypt
Shelter from Domestic Violence
Many women who seek refuge in "Beit Hawa" are traumatised and need professional help, but the autonomous project is under constant threat of closure due to funding shortages. Jürgen Stryjak visited the women's refuge near Cairo
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"Manual for the Clash of Civilisations"
Islam Challenges Our Ability to Make Distinctions
In his new book, Islam expert Stefan Weidner shows how highly charged with ideology the debate about Islam and so-called "Western values" really is. Kersten Knipp read the book
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Janadriyah Cultural Festival in Saudi Arabia
Diabolical Temptations
A festival in the north of Riad has been celebrating Saudi Arabia's culture since 1985. Now, after 25 years, the festival organisers have finally decided against gender segregation. Hanna Labonté reports on a festival between two worlds
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Portrait of the Philosopher Mohammed Abed al-Jabri
Critique of Arab Reason
Mohammed Abed al-Jabri is without a doubt one of the most important contemporary Arab intellectuals. His work focuses on the failure of the Enlightenment in the Islamic world and the search for an Arab identity in modernity. Sonja Hegasy introduces the Moroccan philosopher
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Iraqi Refugees in Germany
A New Life in Safety
As part of its contribution to the United Nations' resettlement programme for Iraqi refugees, Germany will take in a total of 2,500 refugees in the coming months. In this regard, the Federal Republic is spearheading the EU's role in the programme. Martina Sabra reports
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The Integrative Power of FootballThose who score, get to pray to Allah
It appears as if Islam is always perceived only as a threat. Yet, when soccer players pray to Allah, it is a popularly acclaimed declaration of faith. Nonetheless, the football pitch still has a long way to go to becoming a multicultural paradise, says Claus Leggewie
Culture
More about Culture-
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.
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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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Oriental Art
Looking to the East
During the past 30 years, cultural historian Johannes Kalter has succeeded at enriching the collections of Germany's Linden Museum with a number of art objects from the Islamic world. Abdul-Ahmad Rashid portrays Kalter and his work.
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Turkish Festival "Şimdi Now"
Capturing Turkish Culture's Changing Face
Berlin is currently playing host to "Şimdi Now", Germany's largest ever festival of Turkish culture featuring over 50 events ranging from classical music to video installations and experimental club sounds. By Silke Bartlick
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Youssou N'Dour: "Egypt"
Songs of Praise to the Brotherhood
With "Egypt", Youssou N'Dour has recorded a deeply religious album. But this is nothing out of the ordinary, because, in West Africa, the relationship between pop music and Islam is quite close. By Max Annas and Dorothee Plass
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Asfa-Wossen Asserate
"Vulgarity Is the Opposite of Manners"
Asfa-Wossen Asserate is an Ethiopian prince, who since 1974 has lived primarily in Germany. In his book, he shows that manners are mainly a matter of attitude.
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Filmclub Berlin-Baghdad
Bringing Cinema Back to Iraq
Under Saddam Hussein's regime, Iraq's film industry collapsed due to lack of funding and filmmakers. Now, a German - Iraqi initiative hopes to help revive the war-torn country's cinematic tradition. By Deutsche Welle staff
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Placido Domingo in Baalbek
Opera Arias in the Hezbollah Stronghold
Placido Domingo was one of the guests at this year's Baalbek Festival in Lebanon. Christina Förch accompanied the Spanish star tenor along Khomeini images and Hezbollah statues into the arena – the largest Roman temple in the world.
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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