Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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Sudanese refugees in ChadAn uncertain future
More than half a million people have fled civil war in Sudan into neighbouring Chad. Humanitarian workers are scrambling to provide support amid overcrowding, limited funding and widespread trauma.
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Northern Gaza under siege"Either we survive together or we all die together"
As the Israeli encirclement of North Gaza continues, the humanitarian situation is becoming increasingly dire. Trapped residents share their stories of daily life under siege.
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US election 2024What Trump's victory means for Iran
Donald Trump has won the US presidential election. Many Iranian opposition members hope that this will lead to the overthrow of the Islamic regime. But Trump's actions, especially in foreign policy, are not always predictable.
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Jewish composer Brigitte SchifferFleeing the Nazis and thriving in Cairo
Many Jewish musicians fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1940s. Composer Brigitte Schiffer was one of the few who put down roots in Egypt. In this interview, the German music professor Matthias Pasdzierny charts her unusual story.
Politics
More about Politics-
US election 2024What Trump's victory means for Iran
Donald Trump has won the US presidential election. Many Iranian opposition members hope that this will lead to the overthrow of the Islamic regime. But Trump's actions, especially in foreign policy, are not always predictable.
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US election 2024Time to vote for Trump? How the Democrats are losing Arab voters
Arab-Muslim voters in the US are turning away from the Democrats because of their support for Israel. In Michigan, a Democratic mayor has even endorsed Trump. The US election may well be decided in this state, which is home to about 240,000 Muslims.
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Ukraine conflictHow Russia is winning the information war in the Middle East
A wide network of official and unofficial outlets and social media in Arabic parrot pro-Russian talking points about Ukraine. They are often lies, yet somehow the reports still appeal to people in the Middle East. By Cathrin Schaer and Emad Hassan
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Saudi ArabiaWhen a tweet gets you 34 years in prison
The ruling is part of an ongoing clampdown on dissent and minorities in the kingdom. But so far, it's unlikely to have an effect on the kingdom's newly polished image as a global oil provider in times of crisis. Jennifer Holleis reports
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The Holocaust, colonialism and mutual understandingTime for a refresher in humanity
It is possible to write about the Holocaust and the crimes of colonial powers without downplaying anything. In her latest book, Charlotte Wiedemann focuses on the numerous blind spots in our culture of commemoration. By Rene Wildangel
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Indian democracy at 75Narendra Modi’s damaging dominance
In office for more than eight years, Narendra Modi’s high popularity across India and formidable electoral clout make him nearly invincible. But, while his success in amassing political power is unquestionable, his ability to use it for the benefit of the vast majority of citizens remains very much in doubt. By Shashi Tharoor
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Pakistan turns 75Islamabad has serious issues
Seventy-five years ago, Pakistan emerged, along with India, from the British Raj. A country with potential – were it not for the ongoing tensions with India and many home-grown economic problems. Haroon Janjua reports from Islamabad
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The Islamic Republic and Putin's warIran's sacred mission in Ukraine?
Since Ali Khamenei, Iran's most powerful man, has openly and unconditionally come out in support of Putin's war in Ukraine, logistical help is on its way, with an allegedly civilian airline playing a key role. By Ali Sadrzadeh
Society
More about Society-
Sudanese refugees in ChadAn uncertain future
More than half a million people have fled civil war in Sudan into neighbouring Chad. Humanitarian workers are scrambling to provide support amid overcrowding, limited funding and widespread trauma.
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Northern Gaza under siege"Either we survive together or we all die together"
As the Israeli encirclement of North Gaza continues, the humanitarian situation is becoming increasingly dire. Trapped residents share their stories of daily life under siege.
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Rizwaan Sabir's "The Suspect"Muslims post-9/11 subject to blanket targeting
"The Suspect" by criminology lecturer Rizwaan Sabir is the harrowing account of the author's own experiences at the hands of the UK's counterintelligence agencies. At the same time, the book is a carefully researched analysis of how the Muslim community was targeted by those supposedly working to protect society. Richard Marcus read the book
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Health and ageingMiddle East and North Africa unprepared for coming dementia epidemic
By 2050, the Middle East and North Africa could be dealing with many more elderly people suffering from dementia. A lack of facilities, specialists and local knowledge means the region is woefully underprepared. By Cathrin Schaer, Tarak Guizani and Mohammed Magdy
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Archaeology in IraqDrought reveals Bronze Age city
Extreme drought in Iraq has given German and Kurdish archaeologists the unique chance to examine an ancient Bronze Age city that was hidden beneath the water of a reservoir for decades. Experts believe the ruins could be those of the ancient city of Zachiku. It was a race against the clock to complete work before the city was once again covered by the reservoir's rising water level. By Alexander Freund
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Middle East conflictShoah and Nakba – two interlinked catastrophes
Asked about the Shoah, Palestinians often bring up the Nakba, the displacement of Palestinians associated with the founding of the state of Israel. An Israeli Holocaust researcher and a Palestinian political scientist have developed a concept aimed at promoting dialogue about these two interlinked national traumas. By Joseph Croitoru
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Matchmaking among IndiansWhy do Indian expats in Europe still seek an arranged marriage?
Arranged marriages have been the norm in India for centuries. Now online dating sites, the "marriage market" and changing social norms have seen matchmaking services evolve – especially for Indian expats in Europe. By Shabnam Surita
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The Sufi TrailAnatolia through the eyes of a pilgrim
The Sufi Trail is a long-distance hiking route from Istanbul to Konya that seeks to revive the ancient tracks used by foot pilgrims on their way to Mecca. Marian Brehmer spoke to the trail's founder and hiking route developer Sedat Cakir
Culture
More about Culture-
Çiğdem Akyols's novel on Germany’s guest workersClear-eyed and unsentimental
In her debut novel, Çiğdem Akyol tells the story of a family caught between Germany and Turkey. The journalist offers an unvarnished portrait of the guest-worker generation and their children and sheds light on their ruthless exploitation in Germany.
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Jewish composer Brigitte SchifferFleeing the Nazis and thriving in Cairo
Many Jewish musicians fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1940s. Composer Brigitte Schiffer was one of the few who put down roots in Egypt. In this interview, the German music professor Matthias Pasdzierny charts her unusual story.
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Ziad Fahmy's "Street Sounds"Egypt, and the "great clamour" of urban life
In "Street Sounds", Ziad Fahmy offers the first historical examination of the changing soundscapes of urban Egypt, highlighting the mundane sounds of street life, while "listening" to the voices of ordinary people as they struggle with state authorities for ownership of the streets. In interview he explains his motivations and the value of such analysis
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Isabella Hammad on "The Parisian"A new generation of Palestinian artists
Isabella Hammad’s "The Parisian" is an engaging and accomplished debut based on the life of her great-grandfather. Set during the end of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of Palestinian nationalism, it is a classic coming-of-age novel. In interview with Schayan Riaz, the young British author with Palestinian roots talks about racism, the publishing world and giving a voice to Palestinians
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Sheikh Zayed Book AwardWhy has Juergen Habermas rejected a prize from the UAE?
At nearly 92, Juergen Habermas is still advocating for a robust and transparent civil society. Now Germany's greatest living intellectual has rejected a book award from the United Arab Emirates. Stuart Braun has the details
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"Algeriennes" by Swann Meralli and DeloupyThe bravery and resilience of Algeria's "mujahidates"
Using a graphic novel to address a contentious issue like the Algerian war of independence may seem an odd choice, but new release "Algeriennes", translated into English by Ivanka Hahnenberger, defies any preconceptions you may have about the genre's limitations. Richard Marcus read the book
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Interview with Raphael Cormack, author of "Midnight in Cairo"From dust to glory – the divas of Egypt’s roaring 20s
Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum continuous to be an icon, almost 100 years after she published her first record. But what about the other famous women of the 1920s? In his new book, historian Raphael Cormack tracks down the female founding figures of Egypt’s modern entertainment industry. Interview by Anna-Theresa Bachmann
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Chaza Charafeddine's "Beirut für wilde Mädchen"Flashback from Beirut
A childhood and youth in Beirut, a life lived between Lebanon, Switzerland and Germany, and a unique voice in Arabic-language literature: "Beirut für wilde Mädchen" sees Lebanese author Chaza Charafeddine tell her country’s story from a highly personal perspective. Gerrit Wustmann read the book
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Building Bridges Across Religions
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