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The candidates: Amr Moussa (right) and Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

First TV Debate before Presidential Elections in EgyptPrime-time Cultural Revolution

A chapter of television and democracy history was written live before the eyes of millions of Egyptian TV viewers when for the first time candidates vied for the highest office of the land in a televised debate, Amr Moussa squaring off against Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh. By Karim El-Gawhary More »

Protest of Muslim fundamentalists in Solingen against a demonstration of Pro NRW (photo: dpa)

Salafists in GermanyHeading for ''Urban Terrorism''?

Until now, German public perception of the Salafists placed the phenomenon firmly on foreign soil. Recent events involving followers of this radical school of Islamic thought such as the distribution of copies of the Koran in German cities and violent clashes with police have raised some concerns, but how dangerous are the Salafists in reality? Answers from Albrecht Metzger More »

In this mural, three runners hold up the flags of Libya, Egypt and Tunisia respectively, bringing the flame of freedom to their brothers in Syria and Yemen (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

Democratisation Processes in Historic ComparisonArab Nations Are No Longer Onlookers

In the view of Paul Salem, Director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, Arab nations are assuming a leading role in the promotion of democratisation. They are no longer, as has been the case in past decades, just looking on from afar More »

Politics

Anders Behring Breivik on the first day of his trial in April 2012 (photo: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch)

Anders Behring Breivik and Islamophobia in Europe

The Capitulation of Mainstream Politics

In this essay, Paul Hockenos writes that it would be a mistake to dismiss Breivik's hate-drenched tirades as the outpourings of a madman and points to the fact that Islamophobia has been a staple of political discourse in European politics and an inspiration for the extreme right since 9/11. He calls for greater vigilance on the part of intelligence and security forces and stronger resistance from democratic parties in Europe More »

Interview with the Algerian Journalist Adlène Meddi

The Illusion of Democratic Elections

"We don't really have a choice," says Algerian journalist Adlène Meddi about the elections for a new parliament that took place on 10 May. In his eyes, the ballot is set up to feign change while maintaining the status quo. Marlyn Touma spoke with Meddi in Algier More »

Anti-Assad protests in Jordan (photo: AP)

The Opposition Movement in Syria

Building a Credible and Attractive Alternative

After a year of fighting, Syria is at a stalemate: the opposition is unable to topple President Assad's regime, and Assad's forces are unable to quash the resistance. In this essay, Itamar Rabinovich suggests that although the regime is certain to fail in the long run, there is more both the Syrian opposition and the West could do to break the deadlock More »

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Society

A "Berlin braucht dich!" promotional poster shows German policemen and policewomen with a migrant background (photo: www.berlin-braucht-dich.de)

Young Muslims in Germany

''Berlin Needs You!''

While the debate about Muslim integration in Europe sometimes seems dominated by fears and division, Berlin-based writer Julia Hoffmann highlights one German effort to help promote diversity in the public sector More »

Sausen Abdelilah and Luisa Stachowiak of the theatre project 'Koran School' (photo: Christian Kleiner)

The Intercultural Theatre Project ''Koran School''

Intensive Course in Muslim Life in Germany

In the "Koran School" theatre project at the National Theatre of Mannheim, theatregoers get to know places and people in their town that they're unlikely to have had much contact with before. Susanne Kappe reports More »

The physician Hatice Aygün is wearing a headscarf at at a hospital in the city of Lübeck (photo: dpa)

Social and Educational Services for Muslims in Germany

''We Want Participation, Not Integration''

While German politicians continue to argue whether Islam is part of Germany or not, German Muslims have for quite some time been making a contribution in many social spheres. But many institutions in Germany are still at the beginning of a process of intercultural opening. Claudia Mende reports More »

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Culture

Interview with Mohammed Hanif

The Joys and Struggles of Everyday Life

Mohammed Hanif's first novel, A case of exploding mangoes, was a critically acclaimed success. Claudia Kramatschek met the author and spoke to him about Pakistan, minorities and his most recent novel, Our Lady of Alice Bhatti More »

Shahin Najafi (photo: © DW/Shahryar Ahadi)

Supposed Fatwa against Iranian Rapper Shahin Najafi

''We Will Continue with Our Work''

Iran's grand ayatollah has issued what many have interpreted to be a fatwa against the rapper Shahin Najafi, who has lived in Germany for the past seven years. In this interview with Shahram Ahadi, Najafi gives his take on the situation More »

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Additional information

Democracy & Civil Society

Intellectuals in Muslims countries often do not see religion as a hindrance to the democratization of their societies. More...

Turkey and Europe

In our dossier we take a look at political, societal and cultural relations between Turkey and Europe. More...

Dialogue of Religions

The supposed "clash of civilizations" has given new impetus to interreligious dialogue involving Islam. More...

Musical Worlds

The Islamic world and Europe are home to a longstanding independent, modern music scene that transcends belly dance and folk music clichés. More...

The Arab Spring

Our dossier provides an insight into the factors that led to the unrest and an overview of current developments. More...

Partner Organizations

Traces of Jewish Life in Iraq

Iraqi Jews constitute one of the world's oldest and most historically significant Jewish communities. In the 20th century, many Jews left the country as a result of persecution and pogroms following the Arab-Israeli war in 1948. Munaf al-Saidy went to look for traces of Jewish life in Iraq...

Contemporary Art from the Islamic World

Art from the Islamic World is often unjustly met with prejudice, which is certainly due to the fact that contemporary art from these regions has not been shown frequently so far in European countries. The Swiss AB GALLERY has, however, focussed on the cultural exchange between Europe and the Islamic World for many years. More...

The Arab World Brought Closer

The Arab British Centre is an independent non-political non-religious charitable organisation which works to improve the public's understanding of the Arab world. Click here...

Qantara.de Nominated for CIVIS Media Prize

As in 2011, Qantara.de was again nominated for the CIVIS Online Media Prize for Integration. Click here for more...

Qantara.de dossier 'Migration in Germany'

Germany has become a major target of immigration over the last few decades. Our dossier looks at the history of migration to Germany, the integration of migrants into German society, and the variety of their cultural expressions. Click here...

Forum on the Development of Arab Democracy

Fikra Forum is a platform for current political debates on Arab democracy for activists and experts. Click here to get to the website…

The Arab Revolt: Information in Danger

On this website, the organization "Reporters without Borders" has compiled comprehensive information on the situation of the media in the Arab World after the Arab Spring. More...

Understanding the Middle East from Within

The founders of Muftah.org feel that it is vital that US foreign policy makers look at the Middle East and North Africa and try to understand the region from within, not exclusively in terms of U.S. interests. Muftah.org supports this endeavor by illuminating the region's internal issues. Click here for more...

Sada - Analysis on Arab Reform

The Sada website by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace offers original, bilingual analysis of political change and reform trends in the Arab world from leading thinkers and new voices in the region. More...

Niqash: Briefings from inside and across Iraq

Logo Niqash (source: Niqash) Niqash is a website on politics, media and culture in Iraq. Its network of Iraqi correspondents delivers in-depth reports, interviews and analysis. Click here for more...

Radical Middle Way

Logo Radical Middle Way (source: radicalmiddlewqay.org) The UK-based organisation Radical Middle Way promotes a mainstream, moderate understanding of Islam, combatting exclusion and violence. More...