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German state electionsMigrants face a shifting political reality
The far-right AfD made historic gains in September's state elections, while the Left Party emerged as the strongest party in Berlin for the first time. Migrants across the country are now considering what the results could mean for their everyday lives and futures.
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"Postmuslim" by Youssef RakhaOne author, multiple selves
"Postmuslim" is an intimate new collection of essays in English by Youssef Rakha. The Egyptian author explores his complex relationship with the West while tracing his intellectual evolution over several decades.
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Education and climate in YemenToo hot for class
In Houthi-controlled Yemen, the decision to schedule the school year by the Hijri calendar has pushed classes earlier into the harshest heat of summer. For students this has compounded the impact of climate change, posing health risks and driving up dropout rates.
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Turkish women's association Havle"White secular women do not have a monopoly on feminism"
The Muslim queer-feminist group Havle uses religious arguments to challenge discrimination. Facing growing hostility and, most recently, arrests, two members speak about the struggle for LGBTQ rights in the country.
Politics
More about Politics-
Gilbert Achcar on the impact of 9/11"The Iraq War shattered the promise of a new world order"
The attacks of 11 September 2001 fundamentally altered US foreign policy and triggered a series of wars that have reshaped the Middle East. 25 years on, Gilbert Achcar reflects on the US response to 9/11 and its enduring impact on the region.
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Taliban in AfghanistanPower consolidated, society reshaped
In the five years since regaining power, the Taliban have cemented their rule in Afghanistan, bringing armed conflict in the country to a relative lull. Their ambitions go beyond maintaining control: they are seeking to transform the country from the bottom up.
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Controversial Election Results in IranNo Alternative to Dialogue
Despite ongoing protests against Ahmadinejad's controversial victory in Iran's presidential election, the West must keep talking to the Iranian leadership. In his commentary, Peter Philipp says that the new strategy of dialogue should not be called into question
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Volker Perthes' Study: "Iran – a Political Challenge"
Behind the Scenes of the Islamic Republic
Middle East expert Volker Perthes has written an objective, balanced analysis of the diverse and difficult subject of Iran. Particularly impressive is his success in representing the heterogeneity of Iranian society. Sebastian Sons read the study
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Presidential Elections in Iran
Unorthodox Ways of Appealing to Voters
Although President Ahmadinejad's economic and political performance has been disastrous for many Iranians, the fact that so many voters are likely to stay at home could see him hold on to power. From Katajun Amirpur in Teheran
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Parliamentary Elections in Lebanon
Dilemma over Forming a Government
Hezbollah has suffered an election defeat in Lebanon. This will remove some of the obstacles for international efforts towards normalising the situation in the region. Yet it will not be easy to form a government, writes Peter Philipp
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Barack Obama's Speech to the Islamic World
"The President Has Spoken; Now We Are Waiting for Action!"
Obama touched Muslim hearts with his speech in Cairo – but now the Arab world is waiting for action to follow on from his words. Amira El Ahl listened to Obama's speech at the University of Cairo
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Elections in Lebanon
At the Crossroad of Peace and Stability
"When Beirut's pitted roads are getting done, its election time." This common saying can often be heard from the capital's taxi drivers these days. With the Parliamentarian ballot votes scheduled for June 7, Lebanese parties have spread their campaign billboards all around the streets of the country. By Martin Wählisch
Society
More about Society-
Detainees in northeast SyriaWhat will happen to the women and children of al-Roj camp?
Deteriorating conditions are fuelling tensions at al-Roj camp, where people with alleged links to IS have spent years in detention. As control of the camp shifts to the Syrian central government, uncertainty grows over their future and prospects of returning home.
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Ahmed Isamaldin"Gold is directly connected to the violence in Sudan"
Artist and researcher Ahmed Isamaldin uses satellite imagery to trace how Sudan's gold industry has expanded during the war. His research reveals how the conflict is linked to global supply chains and the commodities we consume.
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Nahr al-Bared Refugee Camp in Lebanon
Children Flee the Fighting
Families with children have been caught in the crossfire between the radical Islamist Fatah al-Islam and the Lebanese army at the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp. Christina Förch reports on the efforts of local and German NGOs to cope with the humanitarian crisis
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Women in Oman
"We Are Better!"
In 1970, when Sultan Qaboos came to power, Oman had only two schools, not one of them for girls. Today, the country's public university protects itself from the female onslaught with a men's quota. Charlotte Wiedemann reports
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Reform of Morocco's Nationality Law
A New Achievement for Women
A new nationality law ends the discrimination that has long affected the Moroccan woman giving her the right to pass her citizenship of origin to her children. A report by Muhammad Massad
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Mosque Controversy in Germany
The Freedom to Practice One's Religion Is a Constitutional Right
Controversy reigns in debate over the building of Cologne's new mosque. If the majority population stands in the way of religious freedom, it must bear responsibility, too, for the failure of integration, says Peter Philipp
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EU Handbook on Integration
Grappling with the Complexities of Migrant Life
Integration is not a one-way street. Society must be prepared to accept immigrants, as well as support them. An outline of strategies can be found in the EU Commission's new "Handbook on Integration." Daniela Schröder reports
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Interview with Zafer Yenal
On the Connection between Nationalism and Cuisine
Zafer Yenal, assistant professor of sociology at the Bogazici University in Istanbul, explains the important connection between political processes and the cuisine – and why the term "Turkish cuisine" is a new development only since the 1980s.
Culture
More about Culture-
Arthouse film in MoroccoKeeping Tangier's cinematic history alive
20 years ago, the historic Cinema Rif in Tangier was renovated and reopened as the Cinémathèque de Tanger, one of the few arthouse cinemas in North Africa today. Elisa Pierandrei traces its history and place in Morocco's vibrant film culture.
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Remembering Sliman MansourThe artist behind a Palestinian icon
"Camel of Hardship" by Sliman Mansour, who died on 24 August, is one of the most recognisable images in Palestinian art. Asmaa al-Ghoul tells how it came to appear on walls across the country and why it remains deeply embedded in collective memory.
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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Sex-Tourismus in Ägypten
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Ein Autor, mehrere Versionen
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Frauen in Saudi-Arabien
Gefangen in einem System der Gender-Apartheid
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Frauenverein „Havle“ in der Türkei
"Weiße säkulare Frauen haben kein Monopol auf Feminismus"
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