Fond of boasting about his deal-making capabilities, U.S. president Donald Trump has oozed confidence in the run-up to his visit to Israel and the Occupied Territories. Whether he will prove a mediating or an alienating influence remains to be seen. By Ylenia Gostoli Read more
With the latest presidential election result, Iranians have sent a clear message across the nation and to the world at large. Their voices should be heeded, writes Ali Sadrzadeh in his commentaryRead more
Many Arab countries have laws that grant offenders immunity from prosecution if they marry the woman they have raped. While Jordan has taken the first steps to change this controversial legal situation, Lebanon looks likely to follow suit. By Dunja RamadanRead more
German public prosecutors in Karlsruhe are acting surprisingly fast to interview Syrian victims who have filed criminal charges against members of the Syrian intelligence agency in Damascus. Specific investigations and international arrest warrants could follow. By Kristin HelbergRead more
With the latest presidential election result, Iranians have sent a clear message across the nation and to the world at large. Their voices should be heeded, writes Ali Sadrzadeh in his commentaryMore
Fond of boasting about his deal-making capabilities, U.S. president Donald Trump has oozed confidence in the run-up to his visit to Israel and the Occupied Territories. Whether he will prove a mediating or an alienating influence remains to be seen. By Ylenia Gostoli More
Four years ago, Hassan Rouhani assumed the Iranian presidency on the back of a campaign pledge to alleviate Iran′s economic hardship by striving for the removal of sanctions. Yet the looked-for up-turn has yet to materialise. An issue, argues Ali Fathollah-Nejad, that is bound to play into the hands of the arch-conservative opposition More
Regarded since the Arab Spring as the one country that successfully transitioned from dictatorship to democracy, Tunisia is now feeling the consequences of a failure to invest in its people and its economy. The fact that the system is still riddled with corruption simply adds more grist to the people′s mill. By Houda MzioudetMore
For dozens of Afghan asylum seekers in Germany, an interview with German officials is a decisive moment that shapes their future. Despite serious security concerns, many asylum applications by Afghans are rejected. By Zivile RaskauskaiteMore
Many Arab countries have laws that grant offenders immunity from prosecution if they marry the woman they have raped. While Jordan has taken the first steps to change this controversial legal situation, Lebanon looks likely to follow suit. By Dunja RamadanMore
By teaching girls programming and computer literacy, two sisters in Afghanistan have triggered something of a digital revolution. Report by Jennifer Collins and Storay Karimi More
Morocco′s Amazigh captured a historic achievement in 2011 when constitutional measures following the country′s February 20th protests officially recognised the Amazigh culture and language. But six years on, many Amazigh are dissatisfied with the reform process and continue to complain of discrimination. By Matthew GreeneMore
For two years, 2015 and 2016, The Dosti Music Project brought together musicians from India, Pakistan and the United States in order to explore the similarities and differences in their respective art forms. This compilation stands as testament to their remarkable creative energy. By Richard MarcusMore
Masaa's blend of free-spirited instrumental quartet and outstanding male voice makes their sound arguably the most accomplished fusion of Jazz and Arab tonal colouring currently to be found in Germany. On their third album ″Outspoken″ the four musicians demonstrate their mature mastery of their craft. Stefan Franzen talked to singer Rabih LahoudMore
He covered the demonstrations against Assad, was thrown into prison, yet managed to escape. More than anything, however, Ramy al–Asheq is a writer. In interview with Sarah Hofmann, he explains why the "Weiter Schreiben" initiative is so important to himMore
The Moroccan Film Festival in Berlin highlighted films made by women or dealing with women's issues. In interview with Elizabeth Grenier, the director of the Moroccan Cinema Centre revealed what he found most fascinating about the movies in the programmeMore
For generations the fishermen in northern Iran have depended on the abundance of the Caspian Sea, catching caviar-producing sturgeon, minoga, kutum and tyulka. Yet in 2016, their haul was the lowest in 20 years. Water pollution, illegal fishing, oil extraction and the construction of dams are all taking their toll. By Changiz M. Varzi
French Islam scholar Fethi Benslama: ″There is no such thing as political Islam″
According to the French psychoanalyst and Islam scholar Fethi Benslama, there is no such thing as political Islam. Last week he told Germany′s Die Welt newspaper that jihadists are far more interested in destroying the political. Their arch-enemies are those who support democracy "since they have turned their back on God."
The new president of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be elected on 19 May. Iran's Guardian Council will also vet the "ideological qualifications" of each candidate. Here's an initial overview of those running for president.More
ifa CCP Refugees and Migration internships: application deadline 15 May 2017
The funding programme CCP Refugees and Migration supports networks, further training and exchange between professionals of refugee work and in the field of migration. In 2017, the programme is focusing on African countries along the main migration routes to the Mediterranean.More
TV series 'Fauda': "Catharsis for all post-traumatic Israelis and Palestinians"
The show "Fauda", or chaos in Arabic, sees Arab Israeli actor Suleiman portray Abu Ahmad, a Hamas militant being pursued by an Israeli undercover unit.
It is the first Israeli television show in both Hebrew and Arabic. A second season is now in preparation and Netflix has also picked it up, with the first season available with English subtitles and dubbing.More
The first colour photos of the Middle East
These images of Middle Eastern cities, towns and attractions were taken during the 1890s. Colour was added manually to the black and white negatives using the Photochrom technique pioneered by Photoglob Zurich AG.More
Goethe-Institut: Music spaces in the Arab World
Living rooms turn into concert halls, kitchens morph into auditoriums. Popular entertainers jamming on couches, up-and-coming artists showcasing their skills between coffee tables and bookcases. The Goethe-Institutes in the region Middle East/North Africa present live performances in private homes. Inspired by the Hamburg-based project www.kuechensessions.de.More
Philosopher Jurgen Habermas: "You can′t force a Muslim woman to shake hands"
"A dominant German culture is utterly at odds with a liberal interpretation of the German constitution. A liberal constitution demands, namely, that the inherited majority culture of a country and its political culture – accessible to and imposed on all citizens – remain separate. The core of the latter is the constitution. As a result,...More
The German Islam Scholar Lamya Kaddor
Why I as a Muslim Woman Don't Wear a Headscarf
Jordan and the influx of refugees
The true Samaritans
Muslims in Liberal Democracies
Why the West Fears Islam
The Decline of Islamic Scientific Thought
Don't Blame It on al-Ghazali
The Media and ''The Innocence of Muslims''
Against the Islamisation of Muslims
Junaid Jamshed
"I Was a Sinner for Years"