Alaa Al Aswany on Egypt
"The Republic of False Truths"
Interview with Omri Boehm
The Haifa Republic – full equality for Middle East peace
Arundhati Roy's "Azadi"
Narendra Modi is pushing Indian society to the brink
Beirut publisher Nadine Touma
Dar Onboz' cases full of exquisite Arabic picture books

Interview with Israeli philosopher Omri Boehm

The Haifa Republic – full equality for Middle East peace

Given that the political landscape in Israel is once more expected to shift to the right in the upcoming general elections, philosopher Omri Boehm argues in his forthcoming book – "A future for Israel" – for more open discussion on alternatives to the failed two-state solution, including the taboo concept of a Jewish state. Interview by Rene Wildangel for Qantara.deRead more

Arabs and Jews in Israel: You can't tear us apartInterview with think tank veterans Yossi Alpher and Ghassan Khatib: "The Oslo peace process approach is over"New peace initiatives for the Middle East conflict: Two states, one homelandUSA, Israel and the Palestinians: Trump's sham attempt at peace

Arundhati Roy's "Azadi"

Narendra Modi is pushing Indian society to the brink

Arundhati Roy's recent volume of essays and lectures provides an eye-opening account of current political developments in India. Written during the run-up to the last general election, "Azadi" charts India's disturbing slide into authoritarianism. Richard Marcus read the bookRead more

Dispute about the temple to Lord Ram in Ayodhya: The end of India's post-colonial consensusIndia, a crumbling democracy: Narendra Modi's vendetta against free-thinking academicsInterview with Indian novelist Arundhati Roy: "India is much more dangerous than it was ten years ago"

Beirut publisher Nadine Touma

Dar Onboz' cases full of exquisite Arabic picture books

If she just played with the image of the victim, it would make things a lot easier for her, but that’s not what she’s going for: the Lebanese children’s book publisher Nadine Touma and her colourful portfolio. Lena Bopp paid her a visit.Read more

Germanyʹs Arabic Childrenʹs Literature: Festival Karimʹs adventuresThe Hakawati bookshop for children and young people in Amman: Huge appetite for exciting storiesReflecting cultural diversity in publishing: German kidsʹ books need more dark-skinned protagonistsQantara-Themenseite: Arabische Literatur Qantara dossier: Arabic literature

Politics

Israeli philosopher Omri Boehm (photo: Neda Navaee)

Interview with Israeli philosopher Omri Boehm

The Haifa Republic – full equality for Middle East peace

Given that the political landscape in Israel is once more expected to shift to the right in the upcoming general elections, philosopher Omri Boehm argues in his forthcoming book – "A future for Israel" – for more open discussion on alternatives to the failed two-state solution, including the taboo concept of a Jewish state. Interview by Rene Wildangel for Qantara.deMore

Arabs and Jews in Israel: You can't tear us apartInterview with think tank veterans Yossi Alpher and Ghassan Khatib: "The Oslo peace process approach is over"New peace initiatives for the Middle East conflict: Two states, one homelandUSA, Israel and the Palestinians: Trump's sham attempt at peace
Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (front) delivers a speech in grandstand before the opening match of the 2021 World Men's Handball Championship between Group G teams Egypt and Chile at the Cairo Stadium Sports Hall in the Egyptian capital on 13 January 2021 (photo: Getty Images/AFP/Pool/Mohamed Abd El Ghany)

27th Men's Handball World Championship

Egypt 2021, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi’s search for a fig leaf

Hosting major sports tournaments can confer prestige on a country, but in the case of Egypt, the 2021 Handball World Championship will do little to repair relations with either the United States, Italy, or the Arab Gulf states, argues James M. DorseyMore

Reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Qatar: A turning point for the whole Middle East?Egypt – Dollars to despots: Abdul Fattah al-Sisi's international patronsU.S. foreign policy in the Arab world: Joe Biden and the Middle East – bid farewell to Trumpism
Left: 04.11.2020, USA, Wilmington: Joe Biden, Democratic presidential candidate, gives a speech in Wilmington (photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP/dpa +++ dpa-Bildfunk +++) || Right: 07.03.2018, Great Britain, London: Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia and the U.S.

MbS courts Joe Biden over Iran fears and the economy

After months out of the spotlight, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has returned centre-stage with diplomatic and economic moves that diplomats say are aimed at showing the new U.S. president he is a valuable partner who can get things doneMore

Reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Qatar: A turning point for the whole Middle East?U.S. elections and the Middle East: Arab dictators hold their breath at Trump's possible exitBook review: Kim Ghattas' "Black Wave": The rivalry that completely transformed the Middle EastGreen hydrogen in Saudi Arabia: From oil giant to green powerhouse?
Opposition politician Canan Kaftancioglu of the Kemalist CHP has begun using the government's own tactics against it (photo: Getty Images/AFP/B. Kilic)

Facing down Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan

The chutzpah of opposition politician Canan Kaftancioglu

Left-wing CHP leader Canan Kaftancioglu inflicted a humiliating defeat on Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul in 2019. Now the Turkish president wants revenge in court. Yet Kaftancioglu seems unlikely to go down without a fight, having recently sued both Erdogan and his interior minister for defamation, after they branded her a "terrorist". By Daniel BellutMore

Ankara on the defensive: Pro-Kurdish faction in Recep Tayyip Erdogan's crosshairsThe Kemalist CHP and the Kurdish HDP: Decision time for Turkeyʹs oppositionTurkeyʹs election results: Erdogan and the three-way split
more Politics »

Society

Indian author Arundhati Roy (source: YouTube; nationalheraldindia.com)

Arundhati Roy's "Azadi"

Narendra Modi is pushing Indian society to the brink

Arundhati Roy's recent volume of essays and lectures provides an eye-opening account of current political developments in India. Written during the run-up to the last general election, "Azadi" charts India's disturbing slide into authoritarianism. Richard Marcus read the bookMore

Dispute about the temple to Lord Ram in Ayodhya: The end of India's post-colonial consensusIndia, a crumbling democracy: Narendra Modi's vendetta against free-thinking academicsInterview with Indian novelist Arundhati Roy: "India is much more dangerous than it was ten years ago"
Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani speaks during a news conference after the Fields Medal awards ceremony at the International Congress of Mathematicians 2014, in Seoul 13 August 2014 (photo: Reuters)

The Persian poetry of mathematics

From Omar Khayyam to Mirzakhani – Iran’s beautiful minds

Presenting a more nuanced vision of their common homeland, Iran, to Western imaginations, kindred spirits Omar Khayyam and Maryam Mizrakhani stand out against the twenty-first century backdrop of anti-Iranian sentiment and Islamophobia. By Hamid DabashiMore

Caught between tradition and modernity: Will ancient poet Hafez win the "soft war" in Iran?The decline of Islamic scientific thought: Don't blame it on al-Ghazali'The House of Wisdom'' by Jim Al-Khalili: The Golden Age of learning in the Arab-speaking worldBook review: Habib Tengour's "Le Vieux de la Montagne": True legends
Shiraz was Iran's Book Capital of 2020 (photo: Afsoon Mohammadpour)

Caught between tradition and modernity

Will ancient poet Hafez win the "soft war" in Iran?

Iran is far more modern than many people realise: our view is clouded by media distortion and the overriding political narrative. The nation’s historic and cultural riches are often overlooked. A declaration of love for Iran by Marian BrehmerMore

Professor Nasser Kanani on the Persian poet Hafez: "The joyful audacity of his spirit, the melody of his poetry"Iran′s image in the West: Sheer incredulity″City of lies. Love, sex, death and the search for truth in Tehran″: Where nothing is allowed, yet anything is possibleThe longest duel: Iran and the USA square off
Screenshot from the "India Love Project" on Instagram (source: https://www.instagram.com/indialoveproject/?hl=en)

The "India Love Project" on Instagram

Fighting hate with love

Marrying for love is still quite a rare thing in India. Religion often gets in the way, as do caste and parental opinions. After the defamatory term "Love Jihad" started trending on Twitter, three journalists set up the "India Love Project" on Instagram to share stories of love that have transcended boundaries and discrimination of all kinds. By David PfeiferMore

Coronavirus in India: Muslims as scapegoatsInterview with Indian Muslim writer Sadia Dehlvi: "The soul of India is inclusive, pluralistic, and democratic"Protesting Modi's Citizenship Amendment Act: The rape of India's soulPhoto gallery: Mass protests against India's new citizenship law
more Society »

Culture

Egyptian author Alaa Al Aswany during a book launch in Cairo

10 years of revolution

Alaa Al Aswany on Egypt – "The Republic of False Truths"

Ten years ago, Egyptians dreamt of change, they took to the streets against President Mubarak. But their hopes were dashed. A look back and forward with writer Alaa Al AswanyMore

Kultur21: Alaa Al Aswany on Egypt – "The Republic of False Truths"Qantara photo essay: "Walls of Freedom": immortalising the Egyptian RevolutionInterview with the Egyptian author Alaa Al Aswany: ″I write to defend democracy″Alaa Al Aswany′s novel ″The Automobile Club of Egypt″: Microcosm of tyrannyAlaa Al Aswany's "On the State of Egypt" ''Democracy Is the Solution''
Lebanese installation artist, author and publisher Nadine Touma (photo: Nadine Touma, Dar Onboz)

Beirut publisher Nadine Touma

Dar Onboz' cases full of exquisite Arabic picture books

If she just played with the image of the victim, it would make things a lot easier for her, but that’s not what she’s going for: the Lebanese children’s book publisher Nadine Touma and her colourful portfolio. Lena Bopp paid her a visit.More

Germanyʹs Arabic Childrenʹs Literature: Festival Karimʹs adventuresThe Hakawati bookshop for children and young people in Amman: Huge appetite for exciting storiesReflecting cultural diversity in publishing: German kidsʹ books need more dark-skinned protagonistsQantara-Themenseite: Arabische Literatur Qantara dossier: Arabic literature
Proud of the comic "Temple of Refugee" – refugee Sartep Namiq and project manager Alexander Koch (photo: The New Patrons)

Art, life, and the New Patrons

Sartep's graphic journey to a better world

The New Patrons seek to sponsor art projects initiated by citizens in order to better dovetail art and life. Anyone can become their client. In Berlin, the impressive comic "Temple of Refuge" was created on behalf of the Iraqi-Kurdish refugee Sartep Namiq, describing the story of his flight and the hope for a better life. By Stefan DegeMore

Picture books explore the fate of refugees: A gentle yet honest approachThe first German graphic novel in Arabic: Sketches with global appealBook review: Riad Sattouf’s graphic novel "The Arab of the Future": Between worlds
Symbolic image of refugees (photo: picture-alliance/AP Photo)

Beyond the hackneyed Syrian refugee trope

Engage with our work, not our biographies

Since 2015 there has been a surge of interest in Syrian writing in German translation. In this series of interviews, writers, poets, publishers, and artists in Berlin talk about their experience with the publishing industry in Germany and beyond. By Mari OdoyMore

Syrian literature in times of turmoil: An author on standbySyrian author and poet Ra′id Wahsh: Who ate the sky?The Syrian poet Hala Mohammad: "They are stealing the soul from our revolution"
more Culture »

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Sartep's vision emerges: the book's main character, migrant Sartep, stands in front of the concrete wall of Fortress Europe. In front of this inaccessible world is the Tempelhof Airport refugee camp, which can be seen in the foreground of the cover (pictured). In the story, the young northern Iraqi finds an imaginative way to reconcile both worlds

A graphic novel depicts a refugee's journey

"Temple of Refuge" illustrates Iraqi-Kurdish migrant Sartep Namiq's journey to Berlin. It was commissioned with the help of a unique organisation. By Stefan Dege

Best of Qantara 2020: Our Top Ten articles

The "Woodstock" district of Cape Town, South Africa, is known for being hip and is one of the best street art locations in South Africa. Here, a wall painting shines with all its colours and grace in the multicultural neighbourhood (ohoto: Pascal Mannaerts)

Last year was one of a kind. 2020 saw the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic, putting a stop to the hajj. Though peace in the Middle East remains a pipedream, there was something of a diplomatic thaw. At the same time, human rights across the region remain under attack. Here are Qantara.de's ten most read articles of 2020More

Israel's COVID-19 vaccination drive: fair share for Palestinians?

Israel has been praised for its record in vaccinating its population. But Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu is also facing flak for failing to organise vaccine supplies for five million Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.More

Has Macron succeeded in creating an "Islam for France"?

French President Emmanuel Macron (photo: Ludovic Marin/AFP/AP/dpa)

Offering some protection against extremist forms of Islam, President Emmanuel Macron's "anti-separatism" charter benefits France as a whole. It will certainly help the majority of law-abiding French Muslims who wish to practice their faith without being bullied, either by religious extremists or the French far right. Yet questions remain. If state and religion are strictly separate in France, how can the state pass laws on religions?More

Foreign Policy: Biden and Iran

U.S: and Iranian flags (photo: picture-alliance/C. Ohde)

With Iran, Biden can’t let perfect be the enemy of good: why any new agreement would likely be worse than resuscitating the existing deal.More

BBC: How the Arab Spring changed cinema

Still from Tamer El Said's "In the Last Days of the City"

A decade after the revolutions, Joseph Fahim looks at how filmmakers reacted to the seismic events – and asks whether the real story of the uprisings is yet to be told.More

openDemocracy: Free thinking for the world

openDemocracy logo (source: openDemocracy)

openDemocracy is an independent global media platform covering world affairs, ideas and culture which seeks to challenge power and encourage democratic debate across the world.More

Satirical Arabic website launches English edition

www.alhudood.net

"Satire and humour are not the aim, they are a means to say something" – al-Hudood

The Jordan-based website al-Hudood (The Limits) is the Arabic equivalent of "the Onion". It has referred to itself as the "best satirical Arabic website since Russia Today". In November 2020, it launched an English edition.More

Taha Hussein: Democratising education in Egypt

Taha Hussein (photo: Al-Jazeera)

Egyptian author Taha Hussein warned as long ago as the 1930s that the future of Egypt depended on reforming its education system. His book "The Future of Culture in Egypt" is a plea for an enlightened, democratic and Mediterranean Egypt.More