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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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Israeli Women as Checkpoint MonitorsConcerned about the Dignity of the Palestinians
An organization of Israeli women spent six years monitoring activities at Israeli checkpoints. What motivates these women to monitor the men who are supposed to be protecting them? Beate Hinrichs reports
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Tunisia's Nahda Movement
Weak and Ambivalent on Essential Issues
The Islamist Nahda movement has recently celebrated 26 years since its inception amid a difficult atmosphere related to its inability to transcend the restrictive corner it found itself in since the beginning of the nineties. By Salah ad-Din al-Jourchi
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Terrorist Attacks in Algeria
El Dorado for Western Security Companies
The terrorist organisation al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has conducted a number of attacks in recent weeks, consciously targeting foreigners in the process. In view of the increase in western economic activity in Algeria, security companies already sense that they are on to something good. Bernard Schmid reports
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The Assembly of Experts in Iran
Power Struggle at the Top
Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has been elected the new president of the Assembly of Experts. Can the 73-year-old politician take over the reins again, curb the radicals, and push through a moderate course? Bahman Nirumand reports with the facts
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Obituary: Haidar Abdel Shafi
"The Grand Old Man of Gaza"
His life was inextricably linked with the history of Palestine over the past century, from the end of the Ottoman occupation of Palestine to the collapse of the Middle East peace talks. Haidar Abdel Shafi died on 25 September. An obituary by Alexandra Senfft
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Hamas versus Fatah
Palestine Drifting Further Apart
The rivalry between secular Fatah and fundamentalist Hamas, which came to a head in the violent Islamist coup in the Gaza Strip in early June, has been escalating again in recent weeks. Joseph Croitoru reports
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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Conference on Muslims in Western Societies
Inter-Faith Thinkers Debate Integration
Scientists, politicians and religious leaders met at a conference in Berlin to discuss the issues of Muslims living in western societies, stressing that better integration would be pivotal in curbing Islamic extremism. By Hardy Graupner
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Partners for Peace
New Middle East Newspaper Promotes Peace
While the Middle East peace process has made little progress, Israelis, Palestinians, Egyptians and Jordanians have gotten together to try to advance the mutual dialogue by means of a new Internet newspaper - Partners for Peace. By Igal Avidan
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Beurger King Muslim
In Clichy-sous-Bois it's "Bacon Halal" instead of "Le Big Mac"
Parisian Muslims can now enjoy halal meals in an atmosphere that mimics US fast-food joints after BKM, or Beurger King Muslim, opened its doors. Gertrud Sterzl reports
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Ramadan in Europe
Muslims Long for Call to Prayer
During Ramadan, Muslims in Europe, too, change their daily routines. This is expressed in their renunciation of food, drink, smoking and sexual contact between sunrise and sunset. Muammar Atwi reports from Berlin
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Analyis Sami Zubaida
"Islamic Cultural Life in Europe is Multi-Faceted"
With his opening speech on cultural and political orientations of Islam in Europe, Sami Zubaida initiated the international research project on Islamic Culture and Modern Society. Islam and Europe are culturally increasingly intertwined, Zubaida says
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Commentary Zafer Senocak
A Disastrous Marriage with No Hope of Dissolution
The relationship between Germans and Turks in Germany is on the rocks. The public discourse on the matter is characterised by mutual prejudice and misunderstanding. A commentary by Zafer Senocak
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
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