Shaking the status quo in Turkey
#Susamam rappers: "Turkish society is on our side"
Rapprochement between India and the Gulf States
The realpolitik of Modi and MbS
Knesset elections
Deciding Netanyahu's fate
Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities
Hitting Saudi Arabia where it hurts

Shaking the status quo in Turkey

#Susamam rappers: "Turkish society is on our side"

#Susamam has had more than 20 million clicks on YouTube. The musicians' message to their fellow citizens: "Don't remain silent!" The ruling AKP party in Turkey feels provoked; the Turkish press has even admonished Deutsche WelleRead more

Schools in Turkey: Erdogan's youth, religious but not educated?Third anniversary of the attempted coup in Turkey: "A gift from Allah" for ErdoganAlbum review: Gaye Su Akyolʹs "Istikrarl Hayal Hakikattir": Singing the revolution

Rapprochement between India and the Gulf States

The realpolitik of Modi and MbS

Abu Dhabi and Riyadh see a natural partnership with Modi’s government, a co-operation that could change the dynamics of the South Asian-Gulf nexus. By Jean-Loup SamaanRead more

Middle East economies: Treading the trade war tightropeKashmir, Xinjiang and Arab land in the Middle East: Victims of the civilizational agendaChinaʹs Muslim minority: "Re-educating" the Uighurs

Another round of Knesset elections

Deciding Netanyahu's fate

In terms of policy, this election has little else to offer. Social issues, the economy and the conflict with the Palestinians are not dominant themes; it’s a question of power. By Inge GuntherRead more

Israel′s parliamentary elections: To be or not to be – the Netanyahu questionClashes along the Israeli-Gazan border: What hope for the Palestinians?Qantara dossier: "Israeli-Palestinian conflict"

Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities

Hitting Saudi Arabia where it hurts

After the drone attacks on two oil plants in Saudi Arabia, U.S. President Trump warned that the USA was ready with a "loaded" weapon to react to the attacks. But against whom is his warning directed? By Karim El-GawharyRead more

Iran denies U.S. claim it was behind oil attack in Saudi ArabiaSaudi-Iranian conflict: Sleepwalking into warU.S.A and Iran: Trump – agent provocateur

Politics

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman upon his arrival at an airport in New Delhi, India, 19 February 2019. (photo: Reuters/Adnan Abidi)

Rapprochement between India and the Gulf States

The realpolitik of Modi and MbS

Abu Dhabi and Riyadh see a natural partnership with Modi’s government, a co-operation that could change the dynamics of the South Asian-Gulf nexus. By Jean-Loup SamaanMore

Middle East economies: Treading the trade war tightropeKashmir, Xinjiang and Arab land in the Middle East: Victims of the civilizational agendaChinaʹs Muslim minority: "Re-educating" the Uighurs
A pall of smoke hangs above the Aramco oil refinery in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia (photo: Reuters/Planet Labs)

Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities

Hitting Saudi Arabia where it hurts

After the drone attacks on two oil plants in Saudi Arabia, U.S. President Trump warned that the USA was ready with a "loaded" weapon to react to the attacks. But against whom is his warning directed? By Karim El-GawharyMore

Iran denies U.S. claim it was behind oil attack in Saudi ArabiaSaudi-Iranian conflict: Sleepwalking into warU.S.A and Iran: Trump – agent provocateur
Symbolic image: Knesset election (photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Another round of Knesset elections

Deciding Netanyahu's fate

In terms of policy, this election has little else to offer. Social issues, the economy and the conflict with the Palestinians are not dominant themes; it’s a question of power. By Inge GuntherMore

Israel′s parliamentary elections: To be or not to be – the Netanyahu questionClashes along the Israeli-Gazan border: What hope for the Palestinians?Qantara dossier: "Israeli-Palestinian conflict"
Algerian opposition politician Soufiane Djilali during an anti-Bouteflika demonstration on 24.02.2019 in Algiers (photo: picture-alliance/AP)

Interview with Algerian opposition leader Soufiane Djilali

Political crisis in Algeria – is compromise in sight?

Presidential elections or constitutional assembly? Algeria's opposition continues to argue over ways to overcome the crisis. A proposal by the Jil Jadid party could finally break down the entrenched fronts. Sofian Naceur spoke to its leader, Soufiane DjilaliMore

Democracy movements in the Arab world: Look to Sudan, Algeria!Algeria after the postponed elections: The closing window for changeCivil society and democratic transition in Algeria: Algerian activists demand a place at the table
more Politics »

Society

Veiled: DW correspondent Fanny Facsar in Yemen (photo: DW)

Conflict in the Gulf

Covering Yemen's forgotten war

Journalists have been largely barred from Yemen. After a year of trying, DW correspondent Fanny Facsar was granted a visa. On her journey, she witnessed a deeply torn country devastated by a conflict that has been all but forgottenMore

Yemen′s Houthis: Defenders of the country?Interview with Wafa′a Alsaidy, co-ordinator of Medecins du Monde in Yemen: At the expense of the Yemeni peopleBearing the brunt of the war: Yemeni families in dire straits
Barrels of whisky in the cellars of the Murree Brewery in Rawalpindi, Pakistan (photo: Philipp Breu)

Rawalpindi's Murree brewery

Beer and whisky made in Pakistan

To many the name of Pakistan calls up images of Islamic extremism, religious intolerance, state corruption and the long years of terror. It’s probably safe to say that single malt whisky, half a dozen brands of beer and a 120-year-old brewing tradition are unlikely to be near the top of anyone’s word association list. By Philipp BreuMore

Beer from the Holy Land: Kosher and halalLebanese vineyards: Wine-making is an artAlcohol consumption in Islamic countries: The devil's brew in great demand
Abrahamic Teams event at Rabat University, Morocco (photo: Abrahamic Forum e.V.)

Abrahamic Teams in the MENA

Interfaith dialogue – a painstaking process

The declared goal of the Abrahamic Teams is to improve how Jews, Christians and Muslims interact with and live alongside each other. The project, which originates in Germany, is now being implemented in Israel, Egypt and Morocco too. But, as Claudia Mende found out, interfaith dialogue does not progress quicklyMore

Abrahamic Teams and interfaith dialogue: Conquering prejudice face-to-faceOfficial Abrahamic Forum website (in German)Qantara dossier: "Dialogue of religions"
Supporter of the radical Islamic Hizbut Tahrir in Jakarta (photo: Reuters)

Religious intolerance

Vicious trend sweeps Indonesia

One of Indonesia's most popular clerics recently told a Muslim audience that there are demons in Christian crosses. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) subsequently cleared him of blasphemy, thereby adding fuel to the fire of an already tense and alarming situation. By Marco Stahlhut in JakartaMore

Abusing blasphemy legislation: Indonesia's slide towards identity politicsReligious tension in Indonesia: Tolerance no moreJakarta ex-governor Purnama freed from prison after blasphemy sentence
more Society »

Culture

Turkish rapper Saniser (photo: leo xandre)

Shaking the status quo in Turkey

#Susamam rappers: "Turkish society is on our side"

#Susamam has had more than 20 million clicks on YouTube. The musicians' message to their fellow citizens: "Don't remain silent!" The ruling AKP party in Turkey feels provoked; the Turkish press has even admonished Deutsche WelleMore

Schools in Turkey: Erdogan's youth, religious but not educated?Third anniversary of the attempted coup in Turkey: "A gift from Allah" for ErdoganAlbum review: Gaye Su Akyolʹs "Istikrarl Hayal Hakikattir": Singing the revolution
Archive image: India's Gujarat State Chief Minister Narendra Modi looks on at the Gujarat University Convention Centre in Ahmedabad on 17 September 2011 (source: Getty Images/AFP/S. Panthaky)

Cultural politics in India

India's celebrities confront Hindu nationalism

In July 2019, with hate crimes against minorities in India rising sharply, 49 eminent personalities signed an open letter to Narendra Modi, stating that the slogan 'Jai Shri Ram' – Hail Lord Rama – a Hindu chant usually reserved for prayers or religious gatherings had become a war cry. By Amrita DasMore

Interview with Indian novelist Arundhati Roy: "India is much more dangerous than it was ten years ago"Interview with identity politics expert Mujibur Rehman: "Muslims feel deeply unsafe in present-day India"Freedom of speech under threat in India: An army of Hindutva trollsIndian culture seeps in via satellite: The blurred borders between Pakistan and India
Extract from the "Karin" music video (source: YouTube)

"Karin" – an Armenian-Turkish music project

From deportations to duets

"Karin" is a musical dialogue between two virtuosos seeking to reconcile the souls of their home countries through their instruments. Marian Brehmer listened to the second album of Armenian duduk virtuoso Vardan Hovanissian and Turkish baglama master Emre GultekinMore

Interview with the composer Marc Sinan: A modern-day Bartók of Turkic musicAlbum review: Ayca Miracʹ "Lazjazz": The magic of the Laz Album review: Gaye Su Akyolʹs "Istikrarl Hayal Hakikattir": Singing the revolution
Iranian director Schokofeh Kamiz (photo: private)

Interview with film director Schokofeh Kamiz

"I was surprised she wasn't a bigger sensation"

In early 2015, Pakistani activist Sabeen Mahmud organised an event on missing Balochi activists in her cafe. Later that day, she was killed by two men on the streets of Karachi. The documentary film "After Sabeen" is a very personal portrait of the woman. Interview by Schayan RiazMore

Pakistani film ″Dukhtar″: Arthouse with a conscienceInterview with Pakistani human rights activist Jalila Haider: "Women need to fight with all their might"Re-inventing the Taliban: "Don't you believe in Sharia?"
more Culture »

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Ethiopia's Sheikh Hussein: Mecca of the poor

Sheikh Hussein is a town in the Oromia region in south-eastern Ethiopia. The tomb of the 13th century Sufi Sheikh Hussein who introduced Islam to the area and is said to have performed many miracles is still visited by thousands of people. By Eric Lafforgue

Gideon Levy: Please, Bibi, let the annexations begin

Prime Minister Netanyahu announces his intention to annex the Jordan Valley on 10.09.2019 (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

I obviously won’t vote for Netanyahu, but I hope that this time he keeps his promise. Let him annex the Jordan Valley, and afterward the entire West Bank. Let him turn the reality in this territory into a political reality, without hiding it any longer. The time has come for truth.More

The rise and fall of Egyptian Arabic

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi delivers a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September 2018 in New York City (photo: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images); Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser addresses the Egyptian people on 31 March 1968 (photo: STF/AFP/Getty Images)

Once the lingua franca of the Arab world, Egypt's dialect is in decline along with the country's cultural and political leadership, says The EconomistMore

Mirna Bamieh delves into Palestinian cuisine

Mirna Bamieh, artist and cook, is fighting the appropriation and disappearance of Palestinian cuisine by reviving old food practices and forgotten dishes.More

Iranian Maryam Ghadiri rediscovers pride in her heritage

When Maryam Ghadiri arrived in the U.S. she encountered stereotypes and pre-conceived ideas that made her want to conceal her Iranian identity. She now describes how she rekindled the pride she once had for her motherland, Iran, through curating a photo exhibit that celebrates Iran's rich culture, diversity and beauty.More

Discrimination: Welcome to Europe?

Discrimination: Welcome to Europe? (source: Deutsche Welle)

For Aiham Issa, a Syrian refugee in Germany, hardly a day goes by when he doesn’t experience discrimination. He is not alone. Across Europe migrants, refugees and their descendants are reporting an increase in xenophobia. These are some of their stories.More

Freedom of speech under attack in India

Siddharth Varadarajan, a founding editor of The Wire and former editor of The Hindu, gives the 2019 Reuters Memorial Lecture on 18 February 2019.More

Young Muslims cross Australia to challenge misconceptions about Islam

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (photo: Twitter)

A group of young Australian Muslims are embarking on a rural expedition across the country to challenge misconceptions about their faith. The road trip will see the young men from six cities visit more than 50 rural towns on the way to a gathering at Uluru.More