Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are among those countries increasingly misusing cybercrime legislation to silence dissent and curb freedom of speech. Could a new global cybercrime framework under UN supervision save regime critics? Jennifer Holleis reportsRead more
Despite what heads of state may claim, the Russian attack on Ukraine is not a wake-up call for a self-confident Europe that defends its values. The war is accelerating the decline of the old continent and rousing familiar spectres from the past that never really went away. Meanwhile, the Middle East is reprising its not unfamiliar role as an under-reported fringe region. Essay by Stefan BuchenRead more
As Pride Month draws to a close, Richard Marcus delves into Saqi Books’ latest publication, "This Arab is Queer". Edited by Elias Jahshan, this anthology of essays is remarkable for its honesty in addressing what is still a dangerous and controversial subject in many of the writers’ countries of originRead more
At the EU's outer borders, the right of migrants to a fair asylum procedure continues to be systematically disregarded. Take Greece, for example: in the worst case scenario, those shipwrecked may even face a lengthy prison sentence. Alexandra Senfft reports for Qantara.de from SyrosRead more
Despite what heads of state may claim, the Russian attack on Ukraine is not a wake-up call for a self-confident Europe that defends its values. The war is accelerating the decline of the old continent and rousing familiar spectres from the past that never really went away. Meanwhile, the Middle East is reprising its not unfamiliar role as an under-reported fringe region. Essay by Stefan BuchenMore
Algeria's decision to unilaterally sever diplomatic ties with Morocco in August 2021 – days after the presidency announced in a statement their relations would be reviewed – was all but surprising. The hostility and rivalry between the two neighbouring countries go back years. By Ilham RachidiMore
Lebanon and Sri Lanka may be a world apart, but they share a history of political turmoil and violence that has led to the collapse of once-prosperous economies bedevilled by corruption, patronage, nepotism and incompetence. By Zeina Karam and David RisingMore
Madrid's about-face on the Western Sahara conflict has enraged Algeria. Trade relations have been frozen unilaterally and a cut in gas supplies to Europe could be in the pipeline. By Ralph SchulzeMore
Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are among those countries increasingly misusing cybercrime legislation to silence dissent and curb freedom of speech. Could a new global cybercrime framework under UN supervision save regime critics? Jennifer Holleis reportsMore
As Pride Month draws to a close, Richard Marcus delves into Saqi Books’ latest publication, "This Arab is Queer". Edited by Elias Jahshan, this anthology of essays is remarkable for its honesty in addressing what is still a dangerous and controversial subject in many of the writers’ countries of originMore
At the EU's outer borders, the right of migrants to a fair asylum procedure continues to be systematically disregarded. Take Greece, for example: in the worst case scenario, those shipwrecked may even face a lengthy prison sentence. Alexandra Senfft reports for Qantara.de from SyrosMore
With regard to gender justice, things look bleak in the Arab world. Laws typically discriminate against women, while national legislation all too often does not comply with the international agreements governments have signed. By Mona NaggarMore
Written by the controversial Kuwaiti Shia preacher, Yasser Habib, the film's plot pursues two threads: one from the Islamic past, the other from the present. The narratives meet when Islamic State seizes vast areas of Iraqi territory. By Shady Lewis BotrosMore
A new exhibition, "Syria – Against Forgetting", at Cologne’s Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum focuses on Syria's artistic and cultural heritage and pays tribute to the country before the war. By Torsten LandsbergMore
Yazan Khalili is spokesman for The Question of Funding, a collective of artists taking part in the leading German contemporary art festival Documenta 15. Here, he responds to allegations that he has in the past spread anti-Semitism. By Joseph CroitoruMore
This year’s Morgenland Festival opened with the premiere of Kinan Azmeh’s musical theatre piece, “Songs for Days to Come”, based on fifteen poems by contemporary Syrian poets. Marian Brehmer reports for Qantara.deMore
Late on Tuesday evening, a powerful earthquake hit the Afghan-Pakistan border region, leaving at least 1000 people dead. Rescue efforts in the remote mountainous terrain are proving difficult. By Ines Eisele
Egypt calls for 'reality check' in UN climate talks
Egypt hopes to jump-start the action needed to face a warming world when it takes the presidency of major UN climate talks in November, but warns that countries need a "reality check" as progress stallsMore
FIFA World Cup 2022: Qatar bans sex for unmarried couples
Qatar has banned sex-outside-marriage by players and fans during the forthcoming 2022 World Cup Tournament, failure to abide to the rule is equal to to a trial of seven years in prison.More
World Refugee Day: UNHCR's "The Colour of Flight"
For "The Colour of Flight", UNHCR collaborated with Brazilian artist Marina Amaral, 30, who specialises in colouring archival images. Building a bridge between past and present, she breathes life into images of the displaced.More
R.I.P. Abraham B. Yehoshua: "Championing peace and justice"
A.B. Yehoshua, a prominent Israeli author celebrated for his mastery of the Hebrew language and a leading peace activist, died last week. He was 85.More
From sensuality to puritanism: How Muslim cultures turned grey
In the first of two programmes, writer and broadcaster Yasmin Alibhai-Brown asks why the Islamic world that historically represented a vibrant, dazzling and even alluring cultural appeal to the more reserved and conservative West, is now reversing that perception.More
Litprom: Dialogue through literature
For 40 years Litprom has been promoting literature and authors from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Arab world.More
How Arab and Moorish culinary innovation reinvented Portuguese cuisine
Arab and Moorish contribution to the Iberian Peninsula remains evident through architectural and academic advancement. But what about the cuisine? "Portugal: The Cookbook" details the vast extent of Arab culinary innovation in the country.More
