The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran is in jeopardy. European governments should use the JCPOA’s dispute-resolution mechanism both to pursue immediate measures to de-escalate regional tensions and to explore a follow-up agreement – or an alternative, should the current deal collapse. By Volker PerthesRead more
Many predominantly Muslim countries have penal laws against "blasphemy", "defamation of religion" and "apostasy". In practice they serve as highly effective weapons to settle personal animosities, family vendettas and land disputes. By Thomas KrapfRead more
Mullahs, dictatorship, nuclear conflict – Iran could be reduced to these keywords if one were to rely only on the articles in the daily press. But to really understand a country better, you have to study its literature. And Iranian literature is just as diverse as the country itself. By Gerrit WustmannRead more
Few would have thought that Algeria's Hirak protest movement would still be mobilising the masses 12 months on from its first peaceful demonstration. According to Isabelle Werenfels and Luca Miehe, the systemic change people hoped for post-Bouteflika has yet to materialise. External players need to brace themselves for ongoing political turbulenceRead more
The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran is in jeopardy. European governments should use the JCPOA’s dispute-resolution mechanism both to pursue immediate measures to de-escalate regional tensions and to explore a follow-up agreement – or an alternative, should the current deal collapse. By Volker PerthesMore
Few would have thought that Algeria's Hirak protest movement would still be mobilising the masses 12 months on from its first peaceful demonstration. According to Isabelle Werenfels and Luca Miehe, the systemic change people hoped for post-Bouteflika has yet to materialise. External players need to brace themselves for ongoing political turbulenceMore
While Tunisians remain committed to democracy, they are feeling the painful lack of economic and political progress. Much has been achieved in the way of personal freedoms, but some major reforms are needed if everyone is to lead a dignified life. By Jake WallesMore
Having seen a sharp decline in its influence in Tunisia and Algeria, France is eyeing China and Spain’s growing economic presence in Morocco with concern. Is Paris about to lose its "backyard" in North Africa altogether? An analysis by political scientist Mohamed Taifouri for Qantara.deMore
Many predominantly Muslim countries have penal laws against "blasphemy", "defamation of religion" and "apostasy". In practice they serve as highly effective weapons to settle personal animosities, family vendettas and land disputes. By Thomas KrapfMore
Education is the key to the future. Muzoon Almellehan has known this since she was 14 years old. But she lives in a Jordanian refugee camp. And since then she has been fighting for better education for children in crisis zones. By Bettina BaumannMore
After the attempted coup in Turkey in 2016, 134,000 people lost their jobs. Most of them are still unemployed and have to fight for health services and pensions. Many suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. By Tunca OgretenMore
Modi’s Citizenship Amendment Act grants the Indian citizenship to members of persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries, yet excludes Muslims. This has sparked waves of protest all across India. For prominent Delhi-based Muslim writer Sadia Dehlvi the new law is a long overdue wake-up call. Interview by Marian BrehmerMore
Mullahs, dictatorship, nuclear conflict – Iran could be reduced to these keywords if one were to rely only on the articles in the daily press. But to really understand a country better, you have to study its literature. And Iranian literature is just as diverse as the country itself. By Gerrit WustmannMore
Palestine is disappearing. From the international agenda, from the map, as a concept. The filmmaker Elia Suleiman from Nazareth reacts in the only possible way: using the language of the absurd, says Stefan Buchen in his reviewMore
Marija M. Bulatovic shares her impressions of "Shadow Spectres" by Mansoura Ez Eldin – recently translated into Serbian by Dragana Dordevic as "Priviđenja iz senke"More
These days you might be forgiven for wondering whether international relations would be better served by artists than politicians. Iranian Kayhan Kalhor, a bridge builder from the world of music, holds both the 2019 WOMEX Artist Award and the 2018 Isaak Stern Human Spirit Award. By Bernd G. SchmitzMore
In India, bricks are traditionally made by hand. The job is dirty, exhausting, poorly paid, and mainly done by women. By Martin Muno
Interview with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh
Putting the cart before the horse: "The Palestinian economic crisis has to do with the Israeli measures against the Palestinian people, against the Palestinian economy," says Shtayyeh. Without a fair political settlement, there can be little development.More
Iran's creative diaspora
The first Iranian actress to star in a Hollywood film after the 1979 revolution and the first to appear in an Israeli movie, Golshifteh Farahani has worked with the likes of Ridley Scott, Jim Jarmusch and Asghar Farhadi. In interview with Eve Jackson, she talks about her new movie “Arab Blues”.More
India's RSS: The longest running fascist movement in the world
In this moment of unrest, and brutal violence by the state and state-backed groups, Indian publication "The Wire" asked Benjamin Zachariah, expert on the history of the Right and of Indian manifestations of fascism: is this, or is this not fascism?More
The Arab Spring in Yemen and elsewhere: Dr. Elizabeth Kendall
Dr Elisabeth Kendall from the University of Oxford gives her thoughts on developments and consequences of the Arab Spring, including in Yemen, and on the role of religion in politics and society in the Middle East.More
Remembering 'The Lady' of Cairo Umm Kulthum 45 years on
This February marks the 45th death anniversary of renowned Egyptian singer, songwriter, and film actress Umm Kulthum, known as the star of the east.More
The Arab intellectual, past and present
This new intellectual generation is like a middle child – sandwiched between the self-confident, older sibling and the younger, carefree baby sibling. Unable to accept the determinism of the old and refusing to live by the nihilist ways of the young, it inhabits the interregnum: sitting between the old, which is dying, and the new that cannot be born.More
Alevi Muslims fight for recognition in Turkey
For decades now, Alevi Muslims in Turkey have fought for official recognition as a religious community. The state has persistently ignored court judgments in their favor, meaning they are also denied financial support.More
Yemen's disabled
Many disabled people in Yemen have not only survived years of armed conflict, but are also among the most marginalized people in a country that is currently experiencing – according to the United Nations – the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.More
Arabic literature to be published in translation in 2020
In recent years, the number of Arabic books – both fiction and non-fiction – available in translation has been on the rise. The ArabLit team has put together a list of titles scheduled for publication in 2020.More
Water is life: Environmental protection
Water is one of the most important elements of our planet. As a source of life, it is also one of the commons most threatened by the way we use it. In cooperation with Afaq Magazine, Goethe Institut Perspectives showcases initiatives, ideas and possible solultions for the MENA region.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
Turning away from Shia in Iran
''A Tsunami of Atheism''