Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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Weapons exports to Israel"Unlawful arms export licences have likely been issued"
Germany remains one of Israel's top arms suppliers, a situation likely to persist under Friedrich Merz. According to Lilian Löwenbrück from the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, politicians and manufacturers could face charges for complicity in crimes against international law.
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"Live in the Khaleej!" by Boom.DiwanA love letter to an ancient tradition
Boom.Diwan's album with Arturo O'Farrill fuses Kuwaiti pearl diving music with jazz, shedding light on the Gulf region's complex musical and social history.
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Germany's new governmentMerz, Netanyahu and the reason of state
Under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Germany is expected to double down on its support for Israel, even if it means sidelining international law. Domestically, repression of Israel's critics is set to intensify.
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Islam and language activismThe politics of Qur'an translation
Around the world, the Qur'an is being translated into marginalised languages, reflecting a global trend toward preserving cultural heritage. These translations often serve political goals, but can also save endangered languages from extinction.
Politics
More about Politics-
Pankaj Mishra on Germany, Israel and Palestine"An anarchic, nihilistic world"
The West, particularly Germany, has instrumentalised Holocaust remembrance to justify state violence, argues Pankaj Mishra. A conversation on suppressed colonial histories, Western complicity in Gaza and Germany's role in the erosion of international law.
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Anti-Erdoğan protestsTurkey at the crossroads
The March arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has sparked widespread protests demanding his release and fresh presidential elections. Successful or not, the protests point to a changing face of Turkish society.
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Pakistan and the war on GazaCommitment to pan-Islamic solidarity
With a population of 235 million, Pakistan is one of the most populous Islamic countries. There is great solidarity with Palestine among the population. The government views the war on Gaza primarily against the backdrop of the Kashmir conflict.
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India and the Middle East conflictIndia’s arm sales to Israel are a political statement
The ammunition supplies to Israel may bring more support for India within Western capitals. However, the Arab-Israeli crisis continues to shape the future balance of power in the Middle East, mainly against the Western countries and their Gulf allies, states the Indian Middle-East expert Omair Anas.
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Iran and IsraelThe spiral of violence escalates
The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyah is a drastic event. The Islamic Republic seems determined to take revenge, and a new armed conflict against Israel cannot be ruled out. In addition, everything the new president had promised is obsolete for the time being.
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EU-Arab cooperation for PeaceFrom word to deeds
While all eyes continue to be turned towards the US for decisive action, a potential regional contribution should not be ignored. In this regard, tightening cooperation between European and Arab states could produce tangible progress to support Israeli-Palestinian peace making.
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South Africa's lawsuit at the International Court of JusticeIn the centre of an international legal maelstrom
Amidst rising geopolitical competition, South Africa has sought to position itself as a leading voice of the global south. The country sits outside the complex geopolitics that plague the Middle East but taking Israel to the International Court of Justice underlines the countries intentions, to play a new global role.
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Post war order for Israel and PalestineRobust resurrection of the peace process
Formulating a common strategy for peace and stability, optimizing cooperation with Arab countries, and implementing effective dialogue formats and cultural and economic policies. Just a few practical measures how the EU can provide positive impetus for a post-war order.
Society
More about Society-
Christians in SyriaFear lingers in an ancient community
In the predominantly Christian town of Maaloula, residents hold differing views on al-Sharaa and the safety of their community in the new Syria. For many, memories of the 2013 Nusra Front attack remain—and mistrust runs deep.
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Christianity and IslamThe Muslim Jesus
Both Muslims and Christians revere Jesus, but they have different interpretations of his life, mission and role in salvation. At Easter, shared themes of resurrection and hope offer space for dialogue.
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Nurses on strike in Iran"Strikers feel they have nothing left to lose"
In Iran, nurses are on strike to protest miserable living standards and stressful working conditions. Desperation is driving many abroad, and some to suicide.
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Reform of the Moroccan family codeA struggle over Quranic principles
Feminists in Morocco are eagerly awaiting a planned reform of the family code. Experts and the public have been consulted, but the king and the commission have yet to reveal the proposed amendments.
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+972 editor-in-chief Ghousoon Bisharat"Israeli media outlets have been recruited into the war effort"
Since the Hamas attacks on 7 October, the Israeli-Palestinian platform +972 Magazine has published a range of impactful investigations. Its Palestinian editor-in-chief Ghousoon Bisharat discusses the challenges independent journalism faces in Israel and Palestine.
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Deportations to Afghanistan and SyriaThe rule of law and its careless enemies
Those who turn to Assad or the Taliban instead of the German constitutional state when it comes to questions of security, fail to understand what makes those regimes tick.
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Jerusalem's Armenian community"An existential struggle in defence of our heritage"
The Armenian community in Jerusalem has established a protest camp to defend their church's property against attacks by Jewish settlers. They are fighting for land, democracy and dignity.
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Regime change in BangladeshForcing the "Iron Lady" into exile
It all began with student protests against a quota law: Eventually, military pressure forced Bangladesh's long-time prime minister into exile. Student-led agitations and political movements have a long history in Bangladesh, even before the birth of the nation in 1971.
Culture
More about Culture-
Cairo's Jewish QuarterThe neighbourhood that shaped a nation
In his new book, Egyptian author Ahmed Zakaria Zaki explores the 19th-century history of Cairo's Jewish Quarter, tracing the social transformations within the city's Jewish community and its reaction to the emergent Zionist movement.
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New anthology "Imprisoning a Revolution"Egypt's political prisoners speak
A new anthology gathers the words, drawings and memories of Egyptian prisoners—some well-known, many anonymous—who document life inside the carceral state.
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30 essays trace a problem that affects society as a wholeEveryday Anti-Semitism in Turkey
What is the origin of anti-Semitic ideologies in politics, media and society in Turkey? And what impact does this have on today's politics? A new book provides answers.
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New Choukri translationThe absurdist frame
In Mohamed Choukri's varied and experimental collection "Tales of Tangier" the hyperreal meets the bizarre. The off-kilter stories put forward by the late author seem to be set spinning on their edges, so fast and wild they might just fly off the page
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The animals of Istanbul – a literary homageA dog barks, a seagull mews
Istanbul's kings and queens are its seagulls, the cats and dogs in its alleyways, the pigeons on Taksim Square. The city's animals are also an essential component of its literature. A new anthology of short stories by Turkish-language authors offers up a narrative tribute to the city's non-human inhabitants
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Nassir Djafari's "Der Großcousin"On the run
A man who has lost touch with his Iranian roots meets a distant relative fleeing to Germany at the height of the refugee crisis in 2015. "Der Großcousin", Nassir Djafari's third novel, makes for a thrilling and topical read
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The universal language of musicMusic dossier: Tuning in to the unfamiliar
An independent, modern music scene has long since developed in the Islamic world and Europe. Breaking with convention, it is a far cry from belly dance and folklore cliches. In this dossier, we present some of its leading protagonists, genres and events
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Grammy-winning producer Ian BrennanRecording Rohingyas' raw emotion
Brennan's "Once We Had A Home" is a searing document of the reality faced by Rohingya refugees squeezed into the massive Kutupalong refugee camp near Cox's Bazar on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
Most read articles
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Deutsche Nahostpolitik
Merz, Netanjahu und die Staatsräson
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Waffenexporte nach Israel
„Genehmigungen sehr wahrscheinlich rechtswidrig“
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Identitätspolitik
Die blutige Teilung des indischen Subkontinents
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Islam und Sprachpolitik
Der Koran – jetzt auch auf Samoanisch und Shona
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Internationale Friedenskonferenz an der Al-Azhar Universität
Wenn die Karten neu gemischt werden
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Sex-Tourismus in Ägypten
Braut für einen Sommer