Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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Morocco protests"Gen Z has surprised the political elites"
For two weeks, a group called Generation Z 212 led mass youth protests across Morocco, demanding reforms in healthcare and education. Researcher Mohamed Sammouni says the movement lays bare a crisis of political legitimacy.
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Israeli-Palestinian conflict"Jerusalem is the key to a political solution"
Peace through interdependence? According to Yudith Oppenheimer and Amy Cohen of Israeli NGO Ir Amim, a shared capital city could pave the way for an end to the violence.
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Syrian reconstruction"Debris isn't waste"
Concrete, brick, steel: Aref al-Swaidani wants to rebuild Syria from its ruins. In Weimar he’s conducting research on recycling building materials.
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"In the Land of the Forgotten" by Aliyeh AtaeiStories of war and the fight for freedom
With a keen sense for nuance, Aliyeh Ataei describes a life between Iran and Afghanistan, one marked by resistance, a search for identity and constant confrontation with social norms.
Politics
More about Politics-
Two years after October 7Making a case for a wide-ranging viewpoint
Two years after October 7, the need for honest analysis has never been more urgent. Real understanding can only emerge when we begin at the right place—by looking beyond recent events and the history of occupation of the Palestinian territories.
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Israel’s former intelligence chief on 7 October"Our actions are the result of fear"
Two years after the Hamas attack, Israel remains in shock, says Ami Ayalon. In this interview, the former intelligence chief explains why Israeli society has failed to learn the lessons of 7 October, why the Gaza war must end, and why he rejects allegations of genocide.
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Morocco-Europe relationsUnauthorised brokers obstructing Schengen visas
Morocco's system for allocating Schengen visa application appointments has been hijacked by unauthorised brokers. Moroccans are finding travelling to Europe increasingly difficult, despite the lifting of pandemic-related travel restrictions in 2022. Ismail Azzam reports
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Pakistan's economic crisisSovereign debt overload
Pakistan's economy is in deep crisis and things are deteriorating fast. Many problems have domestic causes, but these are being compounded by global trends. By Sundus Saleemi
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Turkey election falloutErdogan no winner, despite opposition defeat
The Turkish opposition was defeated in the run-off, with candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu failing to unseat long-time ruler Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who will rule the country for another five years. But the president is hardly the winner. Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul
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Turkey election falloutVoting for the devil you know
Three crises – including the economy and earthquakes – likely counted towards Recep Tayyip Erdogan's election win. That and the fact that all the means of the Turkish state were at his disposal during campaigning. By Erkan Arikan
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Turkey election run-offToo much politics of fear from Kilicdaroglu?
Turkey's presidential run-off between Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kemal Kilicdaroglu takes place on 28 May. Why were so many surprised by the initial outcome? And why the opposition's sudden political shift to the right? Political scientist Berk Esen talks to Ceyda Nurtsch
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Shia clerics in Iran"Save Islam" – or just the mullahs?
Are the Shia clergy disappearing as a pillar of Iranian society, degenerating into a mere power apparatus? Nationwide attacks, vilification and the murder, or attempted murder, of mullahs are becoming more frequent. Every turban wearer is seen as representing and symbolising the hated regime. By Ali Sadrzadeh
Society
More about Society-
"Nostra Aetate" at 60A landmark for Muslim-Christian understanding
Six decades on, the message of mutual respect between faiths, enshrined in the Catholic Church's "Nostra Aetate", feels as urgent as ever. It's a reminder that dialogue is not naïve, but necessary.
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Islamic education in GermanyUnder constant scrutiny
Islamic religious education is neither a threat to democracy nor a cure-all. What dedicated teachers really need is recognition of their role.
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Syria earthquake aftermathLife is a whole lot worse for women
For women in northwestern Syria, the aftermath of the February 6 earthquakes has deepened the trauma of 12 years of war. By Diana Hodali
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Afghan refugees in PortugalRegenerating soil and soul
Human rights activists who fled the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan get the chance of a new start in life in Portugal thanks to a permaculture initiative focusing on ecology, agroforestry, social justice and solidarity. Marta Vidal reports
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Development aidDespite the Taliban, Afghanistan deserves help
For the sake of the Afghan people, the international community needs to re-engage in development cooperation. The education sector would be an ideal entry point, argue Conrad Schetter and Katja Mielke
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Culture funding in IsraelFilmmakers fear censorship
In recent weeks, Israel has seen hundreds of thousands take to the streets to protest against the new ultra-right government's political agenda. Filmmakers tackling sensitive issues such as Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories are likely to be first affected by proposed cuts in cultural funding. By Joseph Croitoru
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Human rights in ChinaSearch tool offers Uighur diaspora harrowing insights
Overseas Uighurs have gained insights into their family members in China's Xinjiang region, thanks to leaked data and a new search tool. Some say they feel a deep sense of guilt, others are filled with fear. William Yang reports from Taipei
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Debt crisis in PakistanCrumbling Pakistan economy puts children's futures on hold
Pakistan’s government, struggling to tackle a mounting debt crisis, recently raised taxes on luxury imports and services, saying only the rich elite would be affected. However, it also slashed fuel subsidies and increased a general sales tax, both of which will hit low-income families
Culture
More about Culture-
AlgeriaA DIY cultural renaissance
A new independent, youth-led movement is reshaping Algerian culture. Four young artists reflect on their experiences and efforts to carve out space outside of official frameworks.
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Art in IstanbulCurating on shifting ground
The art world came to Turkey in September for two high-profile events: Contemporary Istanbul and the 18th Istanbul Biennial. Against a backdrop of political crisis and growing censorship, organisers and artists found creative ways to stay relevant.
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Khaled Khalifa’s “No One Prayed Over Their Graves”The maelstrom of Aleppo
Longlisted for the 2020 International Prize for Arabic Fiction and now available in German translation, Khaled Khalifa’s novel “No One Prayed Over Their Graves” details lives and loves lost against the backdrop of a city undergoing seismic change. Joseph Croitoru read the book
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Egypt's tanoura puts kaleidoscopic spin on dervish tradition
In a 500-year-old stone theatre in the Egyptian capital, two young dervishes spin ceaselessly. Slowly, then all at once, they are consumed in a flurry of vivid fabrics
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Arooj Aftab's "Vulture Prince"Coping with pain in Urdu
The first musician with Pakistani roots to win a Grammy, Arooj Aftab has been recognised for her third album Vulture Prince – a meditative, moving song cycle in which she captures loss and pain using poetry in Urdu and guest collaborators from all over the world. By Stefan Franzen
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Abu Dhabi Book FairArabic literature, criticism and commerce
These days, at the Abu Dhabi Book Fair, the problems of the Arab book market and Arab literature are discussed with astonishing frankness. It has also become an international event – on a scale not seen since the Arab revolutions. Stefan Weidner reports from Abu Dhabi
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Musica Sequenza Chamber Music EnsembleSpanning times and cultures
Berlin-based international chamber music ensemble Musica Sequenza is known for its modern interpretation of baroque music. With his latest project, the opera "Kassia", composer and ensemble director Burak Ozdemir transcends temporal, cultural and geographical boundaries. By Ceyda Nurtsch
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Afghan soccer star "Nadia"From child refugee to professional footballer
The documentary "Nadia" tells the incredible story of Nadia Nadim, who was forced to flee from the Taliban as a child and became a football star. By Annabelle Steffes-Halmer
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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