During Ramadan 2019, Marian Brehmer travelled to Rumi's birthplace, Balkh in northern Afghanistan, in search of the roots of the great Sufi master. His visit there left a lasting impression on himRead more
Saudi Arabia is seeking binding assurances of US protection in the event of an attack in return for normalisation with Israel – even if Israel does not agree to make major concessions to the Palestinians. Although such a deal could reshape the Middle East, it would mean that the Palestinian demand for statehood would take a back seat once againRead more
The recent ban of the Barbie film is part of a growing crackdown on feminism and freedom of expression in Kuwait. Hind Al Ansari argues that instead of tightening controls, the government should focus on developing spaces for open dialogueRead more
Prominent voices from within the Islamic Republic's inner circle of power – once spokesmen for the most radical factions – are now vehement in their criticism of Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader. They used the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death to drive home their condemnation. By Ali SadrzadehRead more
Saudi Arabia is seeking binding assurances of US protection in the event of an attack in return for normalisation with Israel – even if Israel does not agree to make major concessions to the Palestinians. Although such a deal could reshape the Middle East, it would mean that the Palestinian demand for statehood would take a back seat once againMore
Prominent voices from within the Islamic Republic's inner circle of power – once spokesmen for the most radical factions – are now vehement in their criticism of Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader. They used the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death to drive home their condemnation. By Ali SadrzadehMore
The recent ban of the Barbie film is part of a growing crackdown on feminism and freedom of expression in Kuwait. Hind Al Ansari argues that instead of tightening controls, the government should focus on developing spaces for open dialogueMore
To mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey, German journalist and Qantara.de contributor Cigdem Akyol has written a new history of what she calls "the divided republic". Marian Brehmer read the bookMore
During Ramadan 2019, Marian Brehmer travelled to Rumi's birthplace, Balkh in northern Afghanistan, in search of the roots of the great Sufi master. His visit there left a lasting impression on himMore
University lecturers critical of the regime are being dismissed, while those loyal to the regime are being rehired: Tehran's Islamic regime is apparently reshaping the country's universities even more strictly according to its own ideas. By Iman AslaniMore
Around 10% of the victims of the recent devastating floods in Libya were from other countries. Some were working there, others likely trying to leave for Europe. By Islam Alatrash in Libya and Cathrin SchaerMore
Dire economic conditions are spurring an increasing number of women in Tajikistan to enter polygamous marriages. But it comes at a price. With few rights to underpin their existence, they bear a burden of social stigma that taints not only their lives but those of their children too. Madina Shogunbekova reportsMore
Morocco's devastating earthquake has led to a wave of solidarity with the victims, with many volunteers setting off under their own steam to help. But reconstruction will take a long time. Hans-Christian Roessler reports from AmizmizMore
In "Auf dem Null Meridian", Shady Lewis tells the story of an immigrant in London who works in social services and whose life is turned upside down. With a light touch and black humour, he describes the tragic consequences of racism and Eurocentric thinking. Lisa Neal read the book for Qantara.deMore
Eklektik BerlinIstan's DJ Ipek – Ipek Ipekcioglu – is famous far beyond her home city of Berlin. Now the music producer has released her first album as part of the musical project "Karmaturji". Daniel Bax had a listenMore
The MENA Art Gallery in downtown Berlin is the brainchild of Italian researcher Enrico De Angelis and Syrian visual artist Zena El Abdalla. One transliteration of the colloquial Arabic for 'port' is 'mena', reflecting the intention to provide a haven for works by Arab artists, as Rama Jarmakani reportsMore
In May 2023, Algerian author Said Khatibi won the prestigious Sheikh Zayed Award in the young author category for his historical crime novel "Nihayat al-Sahra'" – in English, 'the End of the Sahara'. Claudia Mende caught up with Khatibi in Abu Dhabi for Qantara.deMore
Reminding people of the close ties that once bound Muslims and Jews in Iran and elsewhere, American-Iranian vocalist and songwriter Galeet Dardashti's "Monajat" travels through time to transcend seemingly impassable geographical and cultural borders. By Richard MarcusMore
In northwestern Mauritania lies Chinguetti, a historic trading post and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city still has several libraries with Arabic manuscripts – many of them from the late Middle Ages.
Khalifa Haftar, the strongman of eastern Libya, has placed his six sons in positions of political and military power. The deadly floods in Derna have seen his youngest, Saddam, rise to head of disaster relief management and the top of his succession charts. For Libyans, it spells more bad news, writes Leela JacintoMore
Why the distance, Mohammed VI?
When a devastating earthquake shook Morocco's High Atlas mountains, residents of poor areas where it struck turned for help to the state and the man who leads it, King Mohammed VI. Yet the monarch, with his sweeping powers, has kept a low profile, making just three appearances sinceMore
Muslims are already excluded from French political life: that’s the real 'abaya' issue
Abaya-wearing girls are seen not simply as students, but as envoys of global Islamism conspiring against the French nation, writes Kaoutar Harchi for The GuardianMore
Buddhism, Islam and religious pluralism in South and Southeast Asia
A new study shows Muslims in Malaysia and Indonesia see strong links between their religion and country, as do Buddhists in Thailand, Cambodia and Sri Lanka.More
Surviving Greece's migrant boat disaster
In the early hours of 14 June 2023, a heavily overcrowded, rusty fishing trawler carrying as many as 750 migrants capsized off the coast of Greece. In this episode of BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents, three men describe surviving one of the worst migrant shipwrecks in decades.More
Benedict VI: Christian-Islamic dialogue
Reading the late pope’s very brief reflections on Christian-Islamic dialogue, Jeff Mirus explores Benedict VI's position that while Islam really is "a religion of the book", Christianity simply is not. Grasping this is fundamental to constructively engaging in interfaith dialogue.More
Thousands of Muslim homes bulldozed by India's BJP party
India’s ruling Hindu Nationalist party is turning the bulldozer into a political symbol and, say opponents, a means of control.More
