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Jewish community in Syria"One day we’ll drive from Damascus to Jerusalem"
The fall of Assad has prompted the return of millions of Syrians, including a small Jewish minority. Under Henry Hamra, son of the country’s last chief rabbi, they are asking whether a lasting return is possible.
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Palestinians in EgyptTime 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.
Politics
More about Politics-
Israeli activist Yuli Novak"The system is based on violence"
In this interview, the head of Israeli NGO B’Tselem discusses the increasingly boundless violence in the region and argues that defending Palestinian rights is defending human rights worldwide. She urges Germany to lead in upholding international law.
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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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Militant Islamism in the BalkansMother Teresa in Hell
A recent online music video featuring Macedonians praising Osama bin Laden has fuelled fears that South-eastern Europe could be emerging as the latest breeding ground for home-grown Islamist militants. By James M. Dorsey
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Debate on Islam in Germany
Anxiety Sparked by Ignorance
Headscarf discussions and battles about newly built mosques. At the same time German Federal President Christian Wulff is declaring that Islam is part of Germany. But he has not been able to persuade the Germans to agree with him. By Kersten Knipp
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Press Freedom in Indonesia
Conservative Victory over Press Freedom
The former editor-in-chief of Indonesian Playboy magazine has begun a two-year prison sentence for "public indecency". And this in a country with the some of the most liberal media laws in Asia – since the toppling of Suharto. By Anett Keller
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Interview with André Azoulay
"The Dialogue between the Cultures Is My Life's Work"
André Azoulay, advisor to the King of Morocco, is the only Moroccan of the Jewish faith to belong to his country's inner circle of power. For many years Azoulay has promoted dialogue between the cultures and religions. An interview
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Interview with Sari Nusseibeh
Ways out of the Deadlock
Sari Nusseibeh has been engaged for many years in different Israeli-Palestinian peace initiatives. He talks with Igal Avidan about the chances for an Israeli-Palestinian accord
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Interview with Jeremy Keenan
Mirage in the Desert?
Since 2003 a number of Europeans have been abducted in the Sahara. Officially, the Maghreb branch of Al Qaeda has been held responsible. Jeremy Keenan has been consulted as a specialist and mediator. An interview
Society
More about Society-
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.
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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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The Debate on Islam and the Enlightenment
For Conflict Resolution without Self-Righteousness
"Enlightenment" and "the clash of civilizations" are buzzwords that we often hear in the debate on the relationship between the cultures of Islam and Western Europe. In view of the current conflicts in this area, Stefan Weidner advocates a cultural rivalry without "Enlightenment fanaticism"
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Turkey's Noel Baba
Saint Nicholas, Turkish style
Men clad in red and white Santa outfits are no longer a rarity on Turkish streets. Legend has it that Noel Baba, as the Turks call Saint Nicholas, was even born near Antalya. Dilek Zaptçıoğlu has the details
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Freedom of the Press and Democracy in Yemen
"Yemen Is a Law unto Itself"
Nadia A. Al-Sakkaf is editor-in-chief of the independent English-language daily Yemen Times, which was established in 1990. She spoke to Alfred Hackensberger about media, press freedom, democracy, and tribal culture in Yemen
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Education in the Gulf
Knowledge instead of Oil
The Arab Gulf states have discovered education as the raw material of the future. In order to quickly move ahead, they are importing universities from the west. There is still room for many more students – even those from abroad. A report by Arnfrid Schenk
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Immigrants under Psychological and Social Stress
Migration and Illness Experiences
With unemployment, confined living conditions or social control via people from their home country, immigrants are often subjected to high levels of psychological stress which can result in illness or violence. Betül Licht is familiar with this phenomenon; now she has written a novel about it. Ute Hempelmann investigates
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Interview with Mohammad Ali Abtahi
Iran's "Cool Blogger"
Mohammad Ali Abtahi, director of the "International Institute for Interreligious Dialogue" in Tehran, was a close associate of the reform-oriented Iranian President Mohammad Khatami. But among young Iranians the theologian is best known as "the cool blogger." Naghmeh Hosseini spoke with Abtahi in Tehran
Culture
More about Culture-
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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Documentary Film
Rapping for Peace?
Is it even possible for young Israeli and Arab hip-hop musicians to be friends in times of the Intifada? Israeli filmmaker Anat Halachmi has examined this question in her new documentary Channels of Rage. Petra Tabeling reports
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Germany
Berlin Film Festival Winner Hits Theaters
"Head-On," the much talked-about film by German-Turkish director Fatih Akin which won the Berlin film festival's highest award, opened in theaters in Germany. The movie gained notoriety when its female star's past came to light.
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Book Review
The Trouble with "The Trouble with Islam"
Irshad Manji is a Muslim woman living in Canada, and a well-known TV presenter. Now she has written a taboo-breaking book, in which she calls for reforms in the Islamic world. Stefan Weidner reports on "The Trouble with Islam".
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"Orient Meets Occident"
Middle Eastern Music as a Challenge
In 1999, Edward Said and Daniel Barenboim founded the Arab-Israeli youth orchestra. Now, Lebanese star violinist Claude Chalhoub continues the tradition. Christina Förch reports from Beirut
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Books for Iraq
Filling up the Shelves
A group of Iraqi scientists recently visited Germany in order to promote a project that was initiated by the German Foreign Ministry, the Goethe Institute and the Frankfurt Book Fair. Stefan Winkler reports.
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Artist in Exile
"I already Consider Myself a Palestinian"
Gilad Atzmon has not only released his fourth album, but also his first novel, an anti-Zionist satire. Martina Sabra portrays the Israeli musician in his London exile.
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