France, Turkey and the Caucasus
French Armenians plead for Nagorno-Karabakh intervention
Laicism and the death of Samuel Paty
Emmanuel Macron leads France in fight against Islamism
Radicalisation among Barelvis in Pakistan
The spread of violent fanaticism
Mass expulsions to Niger
Algeria abandons thousands of migrants in the desert

France, Turkey and the Caucasus

French Armenians plead for Nagorno-Karabakh intervention

The Armenian diaspora in France – the largest in Western Europe – is urging the country to do more to support Yerevan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. But Paris is, so far, acting with restraint. Lisa Louis reportsRead more

Armenia and Azerbaijan allege breaches as new ceasefire beginsThe Armenian genocide: The search for truth and the historical contextRelations between Armenia and Turkey: Uncertainty until the end

Laicism and the death of Samuel Paty

Emmanuel Macron leads France in fight against Islamism

In the wake of the brutal murder of teacher Samuel Paty, France has cracked down on suspected Islamist radicals for promoting "hatred and violence". President Macron needs to be tough, yet patient and persuasive, says Barbara WeselRead more

Islamist terror in France: The agitators are right next doorFrance's "anti-separatism" drive: Emmanuel Macron's plan to protect French values alienates MuslimsInterview with political scientist Hugo Micheron: "The attack on Charlie Hebdo was a belated wake-up call"

Radicalisation among Barelvis in Pakistan

The spread of violent fanaticism

In the early years of the new millennium, Pakistan's leaders were keen to promote the Barelvi movement as the embodiment of traditional, peaceful, Pakistani Islam. In recent years, however, certain Barelvi elements have become radicalised. Now, the violence is spreading beyond Pakistan's bordersRead more

Islam in Pakistan: The myth of the Muslim monolithEndemic anti-Ahmadiyya discrimination: Pakistan's "Commission for Minorities" without the AhmadisCOVID-19 in Southeast Asia: Coronavirus and Pakistan's wayward clerics

Mass expulsions to Niger

Algeria abandons thousands of migrants in the desert

Now that the COVID-19 crisis in Algeria has eased significantly, Algerian authorities are once again cracking down on migrants with extreme severity, expelling thousands of people to Niger in a blatant violation of international law. By Sofian Philip NaceurRead more

Flight and migration from the Maghreb: Under pressure, Tunisia accepts "unusual deportations"Migration pact with Africa: The EU′s paper tigerEurope and Algeria: The trust deficit

Politics

France, Les Mureaux: speech by President Macron (photo: Ludovic Marin/Reuters)

Laicism and the death of Samuel Paty

Emmanuel Macron leads France in fight against Islamism

In the wake of the brutal murder of teacher Samuel Paty, France has cracked down on suspected Islamist radicals for promoting "hatred and violence". President Macron needs to be tough, yet patient and persuasive, says Barbara WeselMore

Islamist terror in France: The agitators are right next doorFrance's "anti-separatism" drive: Emmanuel Macron's plan to protect French values alienates MuslimsInterview with political scientist Hugo Micheron: "The attack on Charlie Hebdo was a belated wake-up call"
Protest in Pakistan (photo: AFP/Getty Images/A. Majeed)

Radicalisation among Barelvis in Pakistan

The spread of violent fanaticism

In the early years of the new millennium, Pakistan's leaders were keen to promote the Barelvi movement as the embodiment of traditional, peaceful, Pakistani Islam. In recent years, however, certain Barelvi elements have become radicalised. Now, the violence is spreading beyond Pakistan's bordersMore

Islam in Pakistan: The myth of the Muslim monolithEndemic anti-Ahmadiyya discrimination: Pakistan's "Commission for Minorities" without the AhmadisCOVID-19 in Southeast Asia: Coronavirus and Pakistan's wayward clerics
People march in Paris in tribute to Samuel Paty (photo: Michel Euler/AP/picture-alliance)

Islamist terror in France

The agitators are right next door

"Je suis Prof": in the wake of the horrific murder of teacher Samuel Paty, thousands of people took to the streets in cities across France in a show of support for the values of the Republic and in honour of the deceased. Details from Leo Klimm in ParisMore

More police operations underway over killing of French teacherCharlie Hebdo trial in Paris: Will justice bring relief?France's "anti-separatism" drive: Emmanuel Macron's plan to protect French values alienates Muslims
Saudi social anthropologist Madawi al-Rasheed (photo: screenshot/YouTube)

Interview with Saudi social anthropologist Madawi al-Rasheed

"Gradual change is a myth, Saudi society is ready"

Madawi al-Rasheed is one of a group of Saudi exiles responsible for founding NAAS – the National Assembly Party. Set up on Saudi National Day in September, it is the first ever organised political resistance to challenge the House of Saud. Al-Rasheed talked to Jannis Hagmann about the party's aims and ambitionsMore

Book review: Ben Hubbard's "MBS: The Rise to Power of Mohammed bin Salman": Ruling Saudi Arabia from the wingsBetween religion, oil dependence and reforms: Saudi Arabia under Mohammed bin SalmanA year to the day: The infamous murder of Jamal Khashoggi
more Politics »

Society

French Armenians demonstrate in Paris (photo: Lisa Louis/DW)

France, Turkey and the Caucasus

French Armenians plead for Nagorno-Karabakh intervention

The Armenian diaspora in France – the largest in Western Europe – is urging the country to do more to support Yerevan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. But Paris is, so far, acting with restraint. Lisa Louis reportsMore

Armenia and Azerbaijan allege breaches as new ceasefire beginsThe Armenian genocide: The search for truth and the historical contextRelations between Armenia and Turkey: Uncertainty until the end
Algerian police transport refugees across the border with Niger (photo: dpa)

Mass expulsions to Niger

Algeria abandons thousands of migrants in the desert

Now that the COVID-19 crisis in Algeria has eased significantly, Algerian authorities are once again cracking down on migrants with extreme severity, expelling thousands of people to Niger in a blatant violation of international law. By Sofian Philip NaceurMore

Flight and migration from the Maghreb: Under pressure, Tunisia accepts "unusual deportations"Migration pact with Africa: The EU′s paper tigerEurope and Algeria: The trust deficit
Woman reading the Koran in a mosque in Dresden, Germany (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

Interview with Moroccan Islamic feminist Asma Lamrabet

Emancipation through a new reading of the Koran

Moroccan physician and author Asma Lamrabet is one of the foremost representatives of Islamic feminism in North Africa. She urges Arab women to follow their own path, distinct from Western feminism, in order to liberate themselves from male paternalism. Claudia Mende spoke to her in RabatMore

Islamic inheritance law in Morocco and Tunisia: Feminist Asma Lamrabet under pressure Islamic feminism in Morocco: "We Have to Re-Appropriate the Source Texts"Interview with Dina El Omari on feminism and Islam: "Muslim women need space for critical self-reflection"Interview with Zara Faris: "Feminism is about stereotypes on how women should live"
Majid Magray, 12, and Waseem Ahmed, 16, collecting rubbish left behind by tourists near a waterfall in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir (photo: Furkan Khan)

Environmental protection in Kashmir

Working in the shadow of violence and climate change

Illegal construction, timber smuggling and a decades-long conflict have left their mark on the forests of Kashmir. But locals are stepping in to protect the unique nature of their home in the Himalayas. By Furkan Latif KhanMore

India and Pakistan: "If Germany can be reunified, so can Kashmir"Tarik M. Quadir: "If we don’t pull together to save the earth, we will ‘sink’ together"Modi and the revocation of Article 370: Kashmirʹs tormented quest for freedomPhoto gallery: Kashmir – Living with the curfew
more Society »

Culture

Matthias Wagner, founder and director of the Oriental Summer Academy (photo: Dorothee Philipp)

On the death of Matthias Wagner, founder of the Oriental Summer Academy

Mecca of Arab music in south-western Germany

Musicians from Morocco to Iraq have been crossing paths at the Oriental Summer Academy in south-western Germany for ten years. Matthias Wagner, who founded and directed the academy, recently passed away after a brief serious illness at the age of 68. An obituary by Stefan FranzenMore

Qantara dossier: Arab music 16th Morgenland Festival Osnabruck: A virtual journey of sound across the BalkansInterview with Michèle Claude: The wonderful world of muwashshahat
Logo of the Human Rights Film Festival Berlin 2020 (source: humanrightsfilmfestivalberlin.de)

Human Rights Film Festival Berlin

Lives in limbo

The Human Rights Film Festival Berlin has been held for the third time in 2020 under the patronage of Nadia Murad. In just a short time, this festival, which was initiated by the NGO Action Against Hunger, has evolved into a highlight in the German film calendar. By René WildangelMore

Website of the Human Rights Film Festival BerlinBerlinale 2018: ″Central Airport THF″ by Karim AinouzBerlinale 2019: "Midnight Traveler" by Hassan Fazili
Deceased Iranian singer Mohammad Reza Shajarian (photo: Tasnim)

Obituary: Iranian singer Mohammad Reza Shajarian

The voice of the poets

Mohammad Reza Shajarian, the great singer of Persian music, has died at the age of 80. With his passing, the world has lost an outstanding talent and consummate artist. By Stefan BuchenMore

Mohammad Reza Shajarian: The master rebelInterview with Mohammad Reza Shajarian: ''Humanity is what art is all about''Persian classical music: Going their own way
"Truck and Workers", 2011, by Qatar artist Faraj Daham (photo: Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi)

Art and liberation

Modern Arab art and the depiction of blue collar workers

The rise of liberation movements in the Arab World during the 20th century brought with them an array of complimentary works from the creative sector. Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi examines the phenomenonMore

The Arab Museum of Modern Art in Qatar: Can Mathaf restore a pan-Arab artistic identity?Global history of ideas – contemporary Muslim art: Enlightenment rediscoveredSuspended Territories exhibition: Beyond the veil
more Culture »

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

At the onset of winter, village women collect dry chinar leaves, which make the best kindling for lighting the charcoal kangdi

Kashmir’s kangdi – a comforting tradition

You might expect the advent of a long, bleak winter to bring everything to a standstill in Kashmir, but thanks to ingenious portable earthenware heating pots – kangdi – encased in wicker baskets, people can still go about their business. By Sugato Mukherjee

Idlib bombardment: Human Rights Watch speaks of "war crimes"

According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the Syrian and Russian attacks on civilian areas in northwestern Syria are "obvious war crimes". HRW comes to this conclusion in a recently published report documenting 46 air and ground attacks that, according to the organisation's assessment, were aimed directly at civilian facilities in the Syrian rebel stronghold Idlib.More

Ghassan Salame on Libya: "The situation has never been so propitious for a solution"

In interview with FRANCE24, former UN special envoy for Libya Ghassan Salame expresses optimism about the peace negotiations in Libya.More

Deadline for Germany's IPS Programme for Arabs: 15 November

International Parliamentary Scholarship - Programme for Arab Countries

The International Parliamentary Scholarship Programme for Arab (IPS) countries offered by the German Bundestag affords young and talented Arab graduates the opportunity to get to know the German parliamentary system.More

Interview with Mohammad Reza Shajarian: ''Humanity is what art is all about''

Mohammad Reza Shajarian (photo: AP)

For many Mohammad Reza Shajarian, who died on 8 October 2020, was the embodiment of classical Persian culture. In the summer of 2009 his support of the Iranian reform movement made him vastly popular among the young generation. This interview was originally published by Qantara.de in 2011.More

Press freedom in Iraq: Why some journalists are receiving death threats

A year ago deadly rallies led to the resignation of then-prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi. Today, it's not just the protest movement that's under threat. Some media outlets have been shut down, while a number of journalists have been detained or even received death threats.More

Trailer: "Kingdom of Silence" - on the death of Jamal Khashoggi

On 19 June 2019, following a six-month investigation, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released a 101-page report holding the State of Saudi Arabia responsible for the "premeditated extrajudicial execution" of Khashoggi.More

Cato Institute: Mustafa Akyol's in-depth report on freedom in the Muslim world

What’s the state of freedom in the Muslim world? Mustafa Akyol looks at data in the Human Freedom Index that measures freedom in Muslim‐​majority countries across the world. Read his report here.More