The Buddhists and the Rohingya
Myanmar's Gen Z – "You messed with the wrong generation"
Muslim marriage, Muslim divorce
"Problems are often dealt with collectively"
The papal visit to Iraq
The blessing of Pope Francis – "Salaam, salaam, salaam"
Berlinale 2021
“We’re meant to be ashamed of the way we laugh”
Large protests are occurring daily across many cities and towns in Myanmar.

The generals, the Buddhists and the Rohingya

Myanmar's Gen Z – "You messed with the wrong generation"

Protests against the 1 February military coup, which ousted Aun San Suu Kyi, continue in Myanmar despite an increasingly brutal crackdown. At the same time there are signs that widespread public resentment against the country's Muslim Rohingya minority may be softening. Dominik Muller reportsRead more

Islamophobia in Asia: What drives Buddhist anti-Muslim feeling?Myanmarʹs Aung San Suu Kyi in Hungary: With friends like Orban...Muslims in Myanmar: What hope The Hague for the Rohingya?Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh: Fatima, the Rohingya, tells her story
Muslim marriage guidance and family counsellor Ayse Gerner

Muslim marriage, Muslim divorce – and the wider family

"Problems are often dealt with collectively"

Ayse Gerner is a Muslim woman and a marriage counsellor. It is a combination appreciated by her clients, most of whom are Muslim. Although Muslim couples face the same relationship challenges as everyone else, they also have to overcome very specific obstacles. By Said RezekRead more

The Prophet and Sharia: Islamic family law reform – a question of interpretationWomen′s rights in Islam: Can feminism be Islamic?Zahra Ali's "Islamic Feminisms": Female emancipation based on the spirit of ShariaMarital traditions in the Islamic world: Marriage first, love later?
Pope Francis visits Mosul, Iraq

The papal visit to Iraq

The blessing of Pope Francis – "Salaam, salaam, salaam"

The Pope’s journey to the "land between the rivers": places of terror and a dialogue to promote hope and optimism. His meeting with Shia Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani was a milestone in the history of Christian-Islamic dialogue. Birgit Svensson reports from BaghdadRead more

The politics of the Pope in Iraq: Pope Francis and Ayatollah al-Sistani, meeting in faithThe Pope in Iraq – "We are all brothers": Can Pope Francis save Iraq's Christians from extinction?Qantara photo essay: Pope Francis' visit to Iraq's biblical sitesChristians in Iraq: Between the frontsChristians in the Middle East: Between coexistence and suppression

Berlinale 2021: Samaher al-Qadi's "As I want"

“We’re meant to be ashamed of the way we laugh”

In her documentary, the young Palestinian filmmaker Samaher al-Qadi gives us a passionate and very personal view of what it means to be an Arab woman. Her film explores the oppression of women and its deep roots in society, but also women’s will to fight against it. By Rene WildangelRead more

Sexual violence in Egypt: Battling against a culture of silenceMona Eltahawy: "Why do you hate us so?": The Middle East needs a sexual revolutionHaifaa Al-Mansourʹs ʺThe Perfect Candidateʺ: When the patriarchy has better things to do

Politics

Protesters display placards and flash a three-fingered sign of resistance on a main road during a demonstration in Mandalay, Myanmar on 8.03. 2021 (photo: AP Photo)

The generals, the Buddhists and the Rohingya

Myanmar's Gen Z – "You messed with the wrong generation"

Protests against the 1 February military coup, which ousted Aun San Suu Kyi, continue in Myanmar despite an increasingly brutal crackdown. At the same time there are signs that widespread public resentment against the country's Muslim Rohingya minority may be softening. Dominik Muller reportsMore

Islamophobia in Asia: What drives Buddhist anti-Muslim feeling?Myanmarʹs Aung San Suu Kyi in Hungary: With friends like Orban...Muslims in Myanmar: What hope The Hague for the Rohingya?Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh: Fatima, the Rohingya, tells her story
Iraq Mosul | Visit of Pope Francis (photo: Andrew Medichini/AP/picture-alliance)

The papal visit to Iraq

The blessing of Pope Francis – "Salaam, salaam, salaam"

The Pope’s journey to the "land between the rivers": places of terror and a dialogue to promote hope and optimism. His meeting with Shia Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani was a milestone in the history of Christian-Islamic dialogue. Birgit Svensson reports from BaghdadMore

The politics of the Pope in Iraq: Pope Francis and Ayatollah al-Sistani, meeting in faithThe Pope in Iraq – "We are all brothers": Can Pope Francis save Iraq's Christians from extinction?Qantara photo essay: Pope Francis' visit to Iraq's biblical sitesChristians in Iraq: Between the frontsChristians in the Middle East: Between coexistence and suppression
Photo montage of Pope Francis and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani (photo: Gregorio Borgia/dpa/picture-alliance; dpa/picture-alliance)

The politics of the Pope in Iraq

Pope Francis and Ayatollah al-Sistani, meeting in faith

When Pope Francis sets foot in Iraq, he will be breaking historic ground while manoeuvring religious and political minefields. So will his foremost religious counterpart, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, one of the Shia Muslim world’s foremost scholars and leaders. By James M. DorseyMore

The Pope in Iraq – "We are all brothers": Can Pope Francis save Iraq's Christians from extinction?A new quality of civil unrest: Is Iraq steering towards post-sectarianism?Parliamentary elections in Iraq: Shifting towards Iran?
Lebanese author Elias Khoury (photo: imago/ZUMA Press)

Author and critic Elias Khoury

"Lebanon has always rebelled against political repression"

For years the Arab intellectual elite looked to Lebanon, coveting its atmosphere of freedom. Feigning the non-existence of repression, Beirut welcomed intellectuals from across the region, published their works and celebrated them. Yet, even following the murder of Lokman Slim, the powers that be are incapable of controlling everything. An essay by Elias KhouryMore

Elias Khoury on the Arab Spring 2019: The re-birth of Tahrir SquareNovelist and critic Elias Khoury: The nightmare of reality″The Broken Mirrors: Sinalcol″ by Elias Khoury: A dizzying sense of displacementLebanon slips further into the abyss: The assassination of Lokman Slim – silencing no lambLebanese author Elias Khoury in interview: Beirut's ruling class – "The stupidest mafia there is"
more Politics »

Society

Ayse Gerner (photo: private)

Muslim marriage, Muslim divorce – and the wider family

"Problems are often dealt with collectively"

Ayse Gerner is a Muslim woman and a marriage counsellor. It is a combination appreciated by her clients, most of whom are Muslim. Although Muslim couples face the same relationship challenges as everyone else, they also have to overcome very specific obstacles. By Said RezekMore

The Prophet and Sharia: Islamic family law reform – a question of interpretationWomen′s rights in Islam: Can feminism be Islamic?Zahra Ali's "Islamic Feminisms": Female emancipation based on the spirit of ShariaMarital traditions in the Islamic world: Marriage first, love later?
Billboard to mark Pope Francis' visit to Iraq (photo: Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images)

The Pope in Iraq – "We are all brothers"

Can Pope Francis save Iraq's Christians from extinction?

Iraq's Christian minority has dealt with decades of persecution – and many are sceptical about whether a four-day visit by Pope Francis will make a difference. By Cathrin Schaer and Gasia OhanesMore

Interview with Iraqi expert Saad Salloum: Celebrating religious diversity in IraqPreparing for Pope Francis' visit: The scant remains of Iraq's ancient Christian communityChristians in the Middle East: Between co-existence and suppressionAbrahamic Teams in the MENA: Interfaith dialogue – a painstaking process
Algerian activists rally in the capital Algiers, Algeria on 8 October 2020 to denounce the brutal murder of a 19-year-old woman and those of the 38 other women killed last year (photo: Louiza Ammi/abaca/picture-alliance)

Femicide and coronavirus in the Maghreb

Algeria's ongoing war against women – #WeLostOneOfUs

The Algerian state's insufficient response to a recent spate of femicides has driven hundreds of women to defy coronavirus lockdown restrictions to take part in street protests, while also rekindling a debate about the death penalty. By Dalia GhanemMore

Violence against women: Femicide on the rise in TurkeyInterview with Moroccan Islamic feminist Asma Lamrabet: Emancipation through a new reading of the KoranCivil society held hostage by corruption and murder: Libya's peace process doomed to failure without its womenPatriarchy and governance: Iraq's token females
The "Initiative 19. Februar" displays photos of the nine victims of the Hanau attack on its walls (photo: Lisa Hänsel/DW)

Islamisation, a racist conspiracy theory

The hatred of Hanau and its enablers

The Hanau terror attack showed just how dangerous racist conspiracy theories can be. And yet it is a threat that continues to be underestimated. Commentary by Daniel BaxMore

Non-fiction: ″Angst ums Abendland″ by Daniel Bax: The apocalyptics of the WestIslam and the West: What Islamisation?Radical critics of Islam and Islamophobia: Denying the individuality of minority membersFresh dispute over Islam: Why the German media are courting the anti-Islam movement
more Society »

Culture

Israeli tear gas against Palestinian protests following the opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem in 2018 (photo: Getty Images/AFP/A. Abed)

Israeli literature

Yishai Sarid's "Minatzahat" – killing with no fear

"The Memory Monster" was a success for Israeli author Yishai Sarid. His latest book hasn't been published in English yet, but given his reach among Anglophone readers, it won't be long before there's a publishing deal for this controversial new novel. Sarah Judith Hofmann read the bookMore

Breaking the Silence: The ″turncoat″ sons of IsraelIsraeli author Lizzie Doron on Independence Day: "Israel is facing crucial decisions"Interview with Amos Oz: ''I love Israel even in times when I don't like it''Assaf Gavron's novel "The Hilltop": Message of political reconciliation
Film poster: "As I want" by Samaher al-Qadi (dsitributed by Prophecy Films)

Berlinale 2021: Samaher al-Qadi's "As I want"

“We’re meant to be ashamed of the way we laugh”

In her documentary, the young Palestinian filmmaker Samaher al-Qadi gives us a passionate and very personal view of what it means to be an Arab woman. Her film explores the oppression of women and its deep roots in society, but also women’s will to fight against it. By Rene WildangelMore

Sexual violence in Egypt: Battling against a culture of silenceMona Eltahawy: "Why do you hate us so?": The Middle East needs a sexual revolutionHaifaa Al-Mansourʹs ʺThe Perfect Candidateʺ: When the patriarchy has better things to do
Moroccan novelist Meryem Alaoui (photo: JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images)

Merymen Alaoui's "Straight from the Horse’s Mouth"

A fiercely enjoyable feminist fairytale

Even though Meryem Alaoui's debut novel "Straight from the Horse's Mouth" centres on a female character working in a field – sex work – that is often, at least in Arabic literature, linked to Morocco, it does so with humour, warmth, and a tumbling, cartwheeling taste for the fantastic. Marcia Lynx Qualey read the bookMore

Interview with Franco-Moroccan author Leila Slimani: "Treat right-wing extremists like children"Book review: Saphia Azzeddineʹs "Bilqiss": "Just being born a woman is a provocation"Women′s rights in Islam: Can feminism be Islamic?Women in Islam: Between oppression and (self-) empowerment
Qawwali performance at a Sufi festival in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad (photo: Marian Brehmer)

Sufi musik: Qawwali ensemble "Fanna-fi-Allah"

Searching for God's love

Fanna-fi-Allah is the West's most renowned Qawwali ensemble. It stands out not only for its strong stage presence, but also for its commitment to preserving the centuries-old tradition. By Marian BrehmerMore

Sufi music under attack in Pakistan: As the sea of love recedes"At the Shrine of the Red Sufi": A fascination with divine ecstasy"Music of the Mystics": Qawwali documentary seriesNew music from Pakistan: A captivating mix of sounds
more Culture »

In brief

More

Most Recent Photo Essay

The need for real freedom in Egypt: the book opens with Nawal El Saadawi, an Egyptian physician, author and well-known women′s rights advocate. She explains why Middle Eastern women have so far failed to make a breakthrough in their fight: "Women can′t be liberated under the patriarchal, imperialistic and militaristic system that determines our lives now. We are governed by power, not justice; by false democracy, not real freedom"

Uncensored: Muslim women on women′s rights

A new book "Usensurert" (Uncensored) by Norwegian non-fiction writer and journalist Birgitte C. Huitfeldt takes a look behind the veil of what it means to be a woman in the Muslim world. By Jan Tomes

A sad day for human rights: Nasrin Sotoudeh in prison for 1000 days

"Free Nasin Sotoudeh!" (photo: picture-alliance/abaca/P. Pierrot)

Iranian human rights defender Nasrin Sotoudeh, a beacon of hope for many Iranians suffering under the theocratic mullah dictatorship, will mark the thousandth day of her prison sentence on 8 March 2020. She was arrested on 13 June 2018 and later sentenced to 33 years imprisonment and 148 lashes.More

"The Darkest Decade": What displaced Syrians face if the world continues to fail them

Syrian refugees in 2013 (photo: Reuters)

The Syria crisis could see at least 6 million more displacements over yet another decade if the conflict, insecurity and economic deterioration continue unabated, the Norwegian Refugee Council's report warns.More

Lokman Slim’s fight for restorative justice: Collecting the evidence

Murdered Lebanese activist Lokman Slim (photo: Colin Bertier/AFP/Getty Images)

Publisher and activist Lokman Slim, assassinated last month in Lebanon, spent 30 years trying to make sure that the memories of civil conflict were not forgotten.More

Political scientist Farid Hafez: "After The Raid"

This short clip addresses the raids that happened on 9 November 2020. The internationally renowned political scientist, Islamophobia scholar and Qantara.de author Farid Hafez was targeted. The video shows what really happened on that day and how critics of Islamophobia are silenced.More

Foreign Policy: Who is hot and who is not in the Middle East

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/Saudi Press Agency)

The Biden administration wants to downgrade the region. Here are the countries he can ignore – and the ones he can’t.More

Ghazala Wahab's "Born a Muslim: Some truths about Islam in India"

Mosque in Kashmir, India (photo: Lokantha / CC BY 2.0)

Indian Islam: Ghazala Wahab's latest book examines how the world’s second largest religion is practiced in the country.More

Online magazine Mada Masr

"Yesterday's cartoon" by Andeel (source: Mada Masr)

The Egyptian online magazine "Mada Masr" is a progressive independent medium that was founded after the Arabellion in 2011. It publishes news, commentaries, essays and photo galleries in English and Arabic.More

Pakistani poet Yusra Amjad challenges societal convention

Using a combination of poetry and narrative, Pakistani poet Yusra Amjad talks about her compatriots' perception of the institution of marriage.More

Tunisian Lablabi: "Food of champions"

Lablabi is known as the food of champions in Tunisia. It's a hearty chickpea broth that is sure to get you through the winter.More