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Palestinians in EgyptTo stay or 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.
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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.
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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EU-Tunisia migration dealProposal ignores migrant human rights concerns
A proposed migration deal with Tunisia could help the North African nation avert economic collapse, but observers fear worsening conditions for migrants and future returnees. By Jennifer Holleis and Tarak Guizani
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Rebranded MbS meets Macron: Rights groups decry 'hypocrisy'
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The visit aims to boost bilateral ties and the oil kingdom's international standing. But human rights groups warn that the Saudis' gain is France’s loss.
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Libyan oil and shopping mallsWill Libya unite over its newfound liquidity?
New roads, public parks and expansive reconstruction – Libya has recently seen an influx of cash from oil sales and locals are hopeful. But the economic progress also has a dark side. By Cathrin Schaer and Islam Alatrash
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Imran Khan and Pakistan's power strugglePopulism devours its children
On 9 May Pakistan became embroiled in yet another political crisis. Many are interpreting the crackdown on Imran Khan's PTI as a battle for democracy. Mohammad Luqman explains for Qantara.de why this is not the case
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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
Society
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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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Research on Jew-hatred in Germany"Antisemitism cannot be deported"
The concept of "imported antisemitism" is widespread in German politics but remains poorly researched. A new study provides nuance, context and data on antisemitism among both migrants and non-migrants. An interview with co-author Neta‑Paulina Wagner.
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Detention in EgyptCairo's model Badr prison rife with abuse
A new prison, touted by Egypt as a model for reform, that holds some of its most prominent prisoners denies inmates healthcare and subjects them to punitive treatment including isolation, relatives of those inside and rights groups say.
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Germany's culture of remembranceAn exercise in empathy
Holocaust, Nakba and the German culture of remembrance: the Einstein Forum in Potsdam facilitated a discussion banned in Tel Aviv. Inge Guenther attended
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Afghan diasporaRefugee from Taliban offers virtual tours of homeland
Forced to flee by the Taliban, Fatima Haidari now offers virtual tours of Afghanistan from her new home in Italy – with the proceeds funding secret English classes for women there
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Earthquake in TurkeyGermany’s Turkish community sends aid
Germany is home to more than three million people with Turkish roots. Many of them are worried about loved ones affected by the devastating earthquake in southern Turkey – and they want to help. Peter Hille reports
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Wretched life of migrants building Senegal's city of the future
When Mohamed was hired at the construction site for the United Nations' new West Africa headquarters in Senegal, he was proud to say he would be working "not only for Africa, but for the world"
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France24 earthquake reportIn Syria’s rebel zones, volunteers dig mass graves
As rescue workers continued to search for survivors of the earthquake that happened on 6 February, residents of Syria’s northwestern opposition-controlled territories were forced to start digging mass graves to bury victims
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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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
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Marianne Manda's "Der Atem Kairos"Portraying Cairo's everyday heroes
In this unusually beautiful book of images and text, published in German and Arabic, artist Marianne Manda presents her own unique take on the megacity of Cairo. In over fifty portraits, she offers a touching insight into the lives of those who inhabit this metropolis of millions. By Volker Kaminski
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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