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War and memoryGaza's lost photographs
Through years of war, many people in Gaza have lost their personal photo albums. Palestinian journalist Asmaa al-Ghoul reflects on her family's vanished images and what their absence means for personal and collective memory.
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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.
Politics
More about Politics-
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.
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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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Sweeping Election Victory for the AKP in TurkeyFirmly Rooted in Mainstream Society
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP bolstered its share of the vote in Turkey's parliamentary election thereby becoming the balancing power in Turkey. Günter Seufert reports from Istanbul
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Elections in Turkey
Beyond Kemalism
Election results in Turkey have put to rest the lie that the AKP is merely an obscure Islamic secret society. Yet, the results also present a great danger. The newly found strength of the AKP will be difficult to control, says Ömer Erzeren
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The Front National and Arab Immigrants
A 'Muslim Vote' for Le Pen?
France's right-wing Front National has slowly changed its stance towards Arab immigrants and has even accepted some as party members. What is the idea behind this new strategy, and, does it work? Götz Nordbruch takes a look
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France's Right Wing and the Cartoon Controversy
Plea for Blasphemy Clauses
The right wing in France is using the cartoon controversy as a pretense to take up arms against the republic's secular mindset. Details from Bernhard Schmid in Paris
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Sarkozy in Africa
French President Calls for New Trans-Mediterranean Partnership
The French President Nicholas Sarkozy revealed during his last trip to both Algeria and Tunisia four factors integral to a project designed to unite the countries on the Mediterranean basin which he proposed to both presidents Boutiflika and Ben Ali. Salim Boukhdir reports
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Elections in Turkey
An Irreconcilable Political Situation
Shortly before the parliamentary elections this Sunday, the parties remain entrenched in their positions. Turkish society is divided along lines of political conflict, and the opposition's nationalistic rhetoric is coming across loud and clear. Ömer Erzeren reports from Istanbul
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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The Orthodox Christian Church in Turkey
Caught in the Crossfire between Secularists and Islamists
One of the EU's key demands of Turkey is the re-opening of the Orthodox Church's theological school – because otherwise the ancient Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople will soon be history. Susanne Güsten reports
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Euro-Arab University Partnership
Strengthening Academic Ties between Emirates and Germany
The universities of Ajman and Erlangen recently signed a cooperation agreement. The agreement foresees an exchange of students and scholars, as well as the organization of academic conferences and joint research projects. By Florian Wagner
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Women's Sport in Afghanistan
Training in Secret for Fear of Extremists
Afghanistan's very first fitness and beauty center has recently opened in Kabul. Three years after the fall of the Taliban regime the owner has nonetheless decided to keep its location a secret. By Ali Matar
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The Lebanese Civil War
Reviving Memories
In 1975, the Lebanese civil war began. Thirty years later, the Lebanese organization "Umam D&R" has marked this anniversary with a youth project focusing on collective memories. Bernhard Hillenkamp spoke with participants and organizers.
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Interreligious Dialogue
Franz Magnis-Suseno: "Every Religion Is Essentially Humanistic"
The Catholic priest Father Franz Magnis-Suseno has lived for more than 40 years in Indonesia. Almost 30 years ago, he became a citizen of Indonesia, where he has since earned a reputation as a champion of interreligious dialogue. Christina Schott reports
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Muslims in the Public Sphere
Islam in Sight – Yet Still in the Distance
The anthology "Islam in Sight – The visibility of Muslims in the public sphere," edited by Nilufer Göle and Ludwig Ammann, investigates the reasons and implications for the increasing visibility of Islamic symbols in public. Ines Braune introduces the book
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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Die ägyptische Frauen-Metal Band ''Mascara''
Raue Klänge gegen Stereotype und Klischees
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Gaza nach dem Krieg
Die verlorenen Bilder
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Sprache und Spracherwerb
Wie die Muttersprache unser Gehirn formt
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Ralph Ghadban über den Iran
„Die Islamische Republik ist in der Gesellschaft verwurzelt”
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Sex-Tourismus in Ägypten
Braut für einen Sommer
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Israelische Menschenrechtlerin Yuli Novak
„Das System basiert auf Gewalt“