In May 2006, the leading Iranian intellectual and philosopher Ramin Jahanbegloo was arrested at Tehran Airport and accused of spying and trying to undermine the government in Iran. Following an international campaign, he was released in August of the same year. After his release, he wrote a book about his experiences. By Fabrizio PetriRead more
The political crisis in Yemen came to a head when Shia Houthi rebels stormed the presidential palace and surrounded the home of President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi on 20 January. Two days later, the president resigned. Sherif Abdel Samad has been assessing the situation in Sanaa and Saada, where he spoke with representatives of the Houthi rebelsRead more
A year after its launch, the Salaam-Shalom Initiative has become one of the biggest intercultural groups in Berlin with dozens of events in mosques, synagogues and community centres. Armin Langer looks back on an eventful yearRead more
There can be no excuse for the recent attacks in Paris. However, one possible way of understanding them is to take a closer look at the bipolar "alliance" between Islamists and Islamophobia, which can be viewed as the root of these terrorist acts. Moreover, in the wake of the attacks, we must ask ourselves what freedom of speech is, what its boundaries are and who really represents it. A commentary by Atef BotrosRead more
The political crisis in Yemen came to a head when Shia Houthi rebels stormed the presidential palace and surrounded the home of President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi on 20 January. Two days later, the president resigned. Sherif Abdel Samad has been assessing the situation in Sanaa and Saada, where he spoke with representatives of the Houthi rebelsMore
Why do terrorists such as those involved in the Paris attacks cite Islam as their motivation? Their actions have nothing in common with what most Muslims believe. By Daniel BaxMore
There can be no excuse for the recent attacks in Paris. However, one possible way of understanding them is to take a closer look at the bipolar "alliance" between Islamists and Islamophobia, which can be viewed as the root of these terrorist acts. Moreover, in the wake of the attacks, we must ask ourselves what freedom of speech is, what its boundaries are and who really represents it. A commentary by Atef BotrosMore
The French imam and director of the Al Ghazali Institute at the Grand Mosque of Paris, Djelloul Seddiki, fears that the assassination of members of the "Charlie Hebdo" editorial staff could further poison the social climate in France and endanger peaceful co-existence. Interview by Yasser AbumuailekMore
Prominent Turkish sociologist Nilufer Gole is a leading authority on Islamic identity and urban Muslim women. In an interview with Ceyda Nurtsch, she explains why freedom of speech is not sacred and why a new society in Europe is inevitableMore
A year after its launch, the Salaam-Shalom Initiative has become one of the biggest intercultural groups in Berlin with dozens of events in mosques, synagogues and community centres. Armin Langer looks back on an eventful yearMore
The shocking events of recent weeks – from the attacks in Paris, the flogging of Raif Badawi, and massacres in Nigeria and Pakistan – are all connected, writes Elham Manea, and they all deserve our equal and unreserved outrage and attentionMore
The conflict in the Middle East has been making negative headlines in the international media for decades. Less attention is paid to initiatives in the region that specifically and deliberately bring people from the different sides of the conflict together, such as an academic project involving German, Israeli and Palestinian scientists. By Thomas KramerMore
In May 2006, the leading Iranian intellectual and philosopher Ramin Jahanbegloo was arrested at Tehran Airport and accused of spying and trying to undermine the government in Iran. Following an international campaign, he was released in August of the same year. After his release, he wrote a book about his experiences. By Fabrizio PetriMore
The Islamic satirical magazine "Cafcaf" has distanced itself from the worldwide "Je suis Charlie" movement. The magazine's Turkish caricaturists regard their own art as being respectful towards Islam and criticise the portrayal of their religion in the West. By Senada Sokollu in IstanbulMore
Kasse Mady Diabate has been described as "the greatest singer in Mali". He is more than just a singer, he is also a griot: an oral historian and musical storyteller. On his latest CD, "Kirike", Kasse Mady Diabate goes back to his musical roots. The result, says Richard Marcus, is captivatingMore
Political message or provocation? It is important to consider these two factors prior to a cartoon's publication. Acording to Khalil, a cartoonist of Arab origin, responsibility plays a major role in this consideration. Esther Felden spoke to Khalil about the attack in Paris and its consequencesMore
In the autumn of 1989, Dresden was one of the East German cities that became known worldwide for the peaceful "Monday demonstrations" against the government of the GDR that precipitated the fall of the Berlin Wall a few months later. One of the slogans chanted by the protesters at the time was "Wir sind das Volk" (We are the people). Twenty-five years on, a very different movement began organising weekly Monday demonstrations and chanting "Wir sind das Volk". In this photo gallery, we chart some of the reactions to Pegida and the developments relating to this anti-immigration and anti-Islam movement.
Video: What is Pegida?
For three months now, a movement known as Pegida has been demonstrating against the alleged Islamisation of the West and against immigration in Germany. But is their any truth in its claims that Germany is being flooded by Muslims and migrants? And even if it is, are the consequences for Germany as catastrophic as Pegida claims? This video presents some of the facts about immigration in Germany. More
In dialogue: Iskandar Ahmad Abdalla and Yuval Ben-Ami
It is easy to criticise others and to give in to fear. But what is there to discover when you take a closer look and try to really get to know this "other"? Iskandar Ahmad Abdalla from Egypt and Yuval Ben-Ami from Israel both did so, diving into the world of the "other" and being enriched by it. Here they tell of their experiences, which both delighted and surprised them.More
Reporters Without Borders: World Press Freedom Index 2014
Every year, Reporters Without Borders publishes its World Press Freedom Index. This report measures the level of freedom of information in 180 countries. It reflects the degree of freedom that journalists, news organisations and netizens enjoy in each country, and the efforts made by the authorities to respect and ensure respect for this freedom. Click here for the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index 2014.More
Video gallery: 100 voices
Which way is the Arab world going? The Goethe-Institut's "100 Voices" video gallery is a multi-media archive of interviews with people of different origins and from a variety of backgrounds in North Africa and the Near East. In these videos, the interviewees talk about politics, society, freedom and transition in the Arab worldMore
D+C Development and Cooperation
D+C Development and Cooperation is a website and a monthly print magazine that seeks to provide a credible forum of debate, involving governments, civil society, the private sector and academia at an international level. It contains interesting articles and reports on politics and society all over the world.More
Qantara dossier: European travellers in the Orient
Our dossier contains a selection of interesting biographies and reports on renowned European travelers to the Orient from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.More
The German Islam Scholar Lamya Kaddor
Why I as a Muslim Woman Don't Wear a Headscarf
The Media and ''The Innocence of Muslims''
Against the Islamisation of Muslims
Muslims in Liberal Democracies
Why the West Fears Islam
The Decline of Islamic Scientific Thought
Don't Blame It on al-Ghazali
Junaid Jamshed
"I Was a Sinner for Years"
Western Sahara conflict
The curse of resources