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Ralph Ghadban on Iran"The Islamic Republic is rooted in society"
Whether through appeasement or escalation, the West keeps making the same mistake with Iran, argues Islamic studies scholar Ralph Ghadban: it fails to recognise the regime's radical Shia ideological foundations.
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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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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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Opposition figure Behrouz Farahani"The war has frozen Iran's protest movements"
The Iran war stems from two reactionary forces, the hegemonic ambitions of Iran’s Shia establishment and the Israeli vision of reshaping the Middle East, says Behrouz Farahani. A ceasefire is urgent, he argues, and real change must come from within.
Politics
More about Politics-
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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Attacks on IranDid the Saudis want this war?
Saudi Arabia's calculations in the Iran war may be different from what many assume. Rockets and drones are flying towards Doha, Dubai and even Riyadh—yet the kingdom could still see opportunities in the conflict.
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US-President Bush in the Middle EastGerman Expert: Bush Waited Too Long With Mideast Trip
As US President George W. Bush embarks on a multi-country tour of the Middle East, a prominent German expert says that his chances to achieve something are fairly slim
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Roger Garaudy
Myths and Confusion
Roger Garaudy, the French philosopher, Holocaust denier, and convert to Islam, still enjoys great popularity in the Arab world. A new book now traces his ideological and religious transformations. Bernhard Schmid reports
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The Case of "Serkan A."
Law and Order Populism
An attack in the Munich subway, says Robert Misik, has led to a discussion which shows how the issue of youth criminality in Germany is turning into a debate about ethnicity
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Pakistan after the Assassination of Benazir Bhutto
Musharraf Is Abusing the "War on Terror"
Since September 11, Pakistan's President Musharraf has been considered one of the USA's most important allies in the war on international terrorism. According to Thomas Bärthlein, the reality is very different: Musharraf is in fact bringing the struggle into disrepute
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Islam in Germany
Alevi Muslims Enraged by Incest Link in German TV Show
Around 20,000 Alevi Muslims rallied Sunday, Dec 30 in the western city of Cologne against a public television detective show whose storyline featured a plot involving incest within an Alevi family. Ole Tange reports
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America's War on Terror
What Went Wrong?
The failure of the United States's global policy since 9/11 can be measured in the chasm between the dreams of 2001 and the reality of 2007. A stock of six years of "war on terror"
Society
More about Society-
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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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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Vitality from the Egyptian Sun
Anthroposophy in the Desert
Almost twenty years ago, Ibrahim Abouleish Sekem established a farm near Cairo in order to bring the anthroposophical teachings of Rudolf Steiner to the Egyptians. Today, the biodynamic farm is a thriving enterprise. Stefanie Gsell paid a visit to Sekem
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Islamic Theology in Amsterdam
Breaking down Prejudices against Islam
The University of Amsterdam began offering studies in Islamic theology this fall. The aim is to counter the possible radicalization of young Muslims by so-called "imported imams", as well as to break down prejudices against Islam. Ruth Reichstein reports
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Cultural Exchange
Walk Like an Egyptian in Stuttgart
Abdallah Daif came from Cairo, Egypt, to live in Stuttgart, Germany, for some time. In his pensive account of his stay he writes about the Stuttgart pace of life; it's always: walk fast - and don't waste your time…
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Cultural Exchange
Getting Rid of the Stereotypical Image of the "Other"
Germany has increased efforts to build up ties with the Arab world. As part of these efforts, the Goethe Institute and the University of Alexandria initiated a student exchange program. Amira Elmasry, one of the participants, recorded her experience
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The Georg Eckert Institute
De-Saddamification through School Books
Enemy images and prejudices can begin to develop early on in schools, for example through biased representations of national cultures. The Georg Eckert Institute has taken on the task of examining the content of teaching materials. By Petra Tabeling
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The Successful Model of Southall
Integration Rather Than a Parallel Society
The terror attacks in London have put Britain's multicultural society to the test. But the example of the London suburb Southall shows that a local network of ethnic groups can successfully work toward integration. By Petra Tabeling
Culture
More about Culture-
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.
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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.
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
Most read articles
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Ralph Ghadban über den Iran
„Die Islamische Republik ist in der Gesellschaft verwurzelt”
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Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas
Er wollte die Grundlagen des Wissens neu denken
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Israelische Menschenrechtlerin Yuli Novak
„Das System basiert auf Gewalt“
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Sex-Tourismus in Ägypten
Braut für einen Sommer
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Syriens Präsident Ahmed al-Scharaa
Der falsche Erlöser
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Sprachpolitik in Algerien
Abschied von der Kolonialsprache