Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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Islamic historyThe critic of Sufism who became its archivist
In the 12th century, the scholar Ibn al-Jawzi wrote "Talbis Iblis" or "The Devil's Deception" to expose Sufism as heresy. Today, his text is read in two ways: as a critique and as a captivating snapshot of Sufi teachings.
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Traumatic mutismGaza's silent children
Two years of war have left deep scars in Gaza. Some children have lost the ability to speak as a result of trauma. A team of psychologists is using new technology to help them find their voices again.
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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.
Politics
More about Politics-
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.
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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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Political Crisis in PakistanOpportunistic Intrigues
The Muslim League's attempts to quit the government as a protest against the People's Party's refusal to reinstate the judges sacked by President Musharraf last year have been rejected by Pakistan's PM. A commentary by Thomas Bärthlein
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Israel at 60
A Home Found, a Home Lost
Avital Ben Chorin was born in the German city of Eisenach, but found a new home in Israel. The Bedouin Abu Sitta family, on the other hand, lost its home when the state of Israel was created. Bettina Marx on the different emotions 1948 stirs up in different people
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Islam and the Modern Nation State
Battle of Identities
"Islam and the modern nation state" was the title of a conference held in Berlin, Germany. Experts and academics there discussed the significance of the concept of secularism for Muslim societies. Felix Engelhardt and Hicham Boutouil were among the attendees
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Israel Turns 60
A History of a Conflict
May 14 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. While Arabs call the day "the catastrophe," many Israelis aren't in the mood to celebrate. A look back on six decades of dreams and nightmares. Peter Philipp reports
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The Islamic Jihad Union
Willing Terrorists from Germany
The Islamic Jihad Union, an offshoot of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, advocates the systematic internationalisation of "Holy War" and has aligned itself with the Taliban in Afghanistan and al-Qaida at international level. Guido Steinberg analyses this little-known terrorist group
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Interview with Karen Koning AbuZayd
"We Need Open Borders"
The Gaza Strip has been sealed off from the outside world by Israel since June 2007. Karen Koning AbuZayd, director of the UN relief organization for Palestinian refugees, tells Alexander Kudascheff about the humanitarian situation there
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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Nasreen Alavi
Iran's Burgeoning Weblog Scene
In her book "We are Iran. The Persian Blogs," Nasreen Alavi takes an in-depth look at the multifaceted anti-mullah protest culture flourishing on the Internet in Iran. Golrokh Esmaili reports
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Indonesia's Liberal Islam Network
Interpreting Islam in its Social Context
In Indonesia, eight months before September 11 2001, a small group of Muslim intellectuals got together with the aim of forming a progressive counterbalance to the conservative Islamist movements in their country. Christina Schott reports
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Human Rights Award for Monira Rahman
"When Women's Faces Are Destroyed"
Over the last six years, more than 2,000 young women in Bangladesh have been the victims of acid attacks. Monira Rahman, director of the Acid Survivors Foundation, is awarded the Amnesty International Human Rights Award for her fight against these attacks. Ana Lehmann reports
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Women in Turkey
Slow Road to Gender Equity
Turkey doesn't give the best impression when it comes to gender equality in the country. Women are economically dependent, and it looks like domestic violence is still part of many women's daily life. Ulrike Mast-Kirschning reports
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Ireland
The Gaelic Version of the Koran
The "Islamic Cultural Center" in Dublin has taken on a very ambitious project in order to bring a segment of the Irish population a little closer to Islam: the translation of the Koran into Gaelic. Arian Fariborz reports.
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Carsten Niebuhr's "Arabian Voyage"
Europe's Scientific Curiosity
Carsten Niebuhr was the sole survivor of the "Royal Danish Arabia Expedition." The German mathematician and cartographer is today regarded as the first scientific research explorer of modern times. By Friedhelm Hartwig
Culture
More about Culture-
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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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.
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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Misshandlung von Geflüchteten in Libyen
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Seelsorge bei der Bundeswehr
Erste Militärimame für die Truppe
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Sex-Tourismus in Ägypten
Braut für einen Sommer
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Der Slogan "From the river to the sea"
Deutung einer Parole
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Expertin über Aufstand im Iran
„Die Revolution ist vorstellbar geworden“
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Gottesliebe für alle
Der Sufismus ist nicht nur muslimisch