Algerian human rights activist Rabah Arkam
Algeria's protesters continue their "Revolution of Smiles"
Caught between tradition and modernity
Will ancient poet Hafez win the "soft war" in Iran?
Dispute about the temple to Lord Ram in Ayodhya
The end of India's post-colonial consensus
Beyond the hackneyed Syrian refugee trope
Engage with our work, not our biographies

Interview with human rights activist Rabah Arkam

Algeria's protesters continue their "Revolution of Smiles"

The coronavirus pandemic brought mass pro-democracy protests in Algeria to an abrupt end. Exploiting the distraction engendered by the health crisis, the new Algerian government has launched a crackdown on opponents and activists. Can the new constitution be instrumental in bringing about change? Elisa Rheinheimer-Chabbi spoke to Algerian-American human rights activist Rabah ArkamRead more

Algeria: how the Hirak fared in 2020: Protestors still calling for genuine democracyDemocracy in the Maghreb: Tebboune's 'New Algeria' looks a lot like the old AlgeriaFirst anniversary of the Hirak movement: The jury's still out on Algeria10 years of Arabellion: The buds of the Arab Spring
Shiraz was Iran's Book Capital of 2020. The poet Hafez was born here in 1315.

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 BrehmerRead more

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

Dispute about the temple to Lord Ram in Ayodhya

The end of India's post-colonial consensus

With the construction of a controversial Hindu temple in the city of Ayodhya, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is marginalising the Muslim community. With his rhetoric, he is intentionally breaking with the post-colonial legacy of the Indian independence movement that saw India as a secular, multi-faith state. By Dominik MüllerRead more

India, a crumbling democracy: Narendra Modi's vendetta against free-thinking academicsIndia's Muslims under Narendra Modi: Gandhi bows outIndia, Modi and the Muslim minority: "Not yet a Hindu Pakistan"Interview with Indian novelist Arundhati Roy: "India is much more dangerous than it was ten years ago"

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 OdoyRead more

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"

Politics

Algiers: protests against the Algerian president (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/F. Batiche)

Interview with human rights activist Rabah Arkam

Algeria's protesters continue their "Revolution of Smiles"

The coronavirus pandemic brought mass pro-democracy protests in Algeria to an abrupt end. Exploiting the distraction engendered by the health crisis, the new Algerian government has launched a crackdown on opponents and activists. Can the new constitution be instrumental in bringing about change? Elisa Rheinheimer-Chabbi spoke to Algerian-American human rights activist Rabah ArkamMore

Algeria: how the Hirak fared in 2020: Protestors still calling for genuine democracyDemocracy in the Maghreb: Tebboune's 'New Algeria' looks a lot like the old AlgeriaFirst anniversary of the Hirak movement: The jury's still out on Algeria10 years of Arabellion: The buds of the Arab Spring
Hoping to get across the border to Croatia and then to Germany: Raheel Zafar (left) from Pakistan and fellow migrants (photo: Marina Strauss/DW)

EU migration policy

Refugees face hopeless situation in Bosnia & Herzegovina

Tents, mud and cold: refugees contend with miserable conditions in Bosnia & Herzegovina. With the European Union demanding that Bosnia accommodate the asylum-seekers, its borders look set to remain tightly closed. Marina Strauss reports from BihacMore

Refugee crisis on the Greek-Turkish border: Europe's liberal warriors put democracy to the swordHundreds of migrants freezing in heavy snow in Bosnia campGreece and the asylum-seekers: How do you solve a problem like Moria?Refugee crisis in Europe: The price of European indifference
People watch a TV broadcast of Narendra Modi leading the Ram Mandir bhoomi pujan ceremony in Ayodhya (photo: Getty Images/AFP/P. Singh)

Dispute about the temple to Lord Ram in Ayodhya

The end of India's post-colonial consensus

With the construction of a controversial Hindu temple in the city of Ayodhya, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is marginalising the Muslim community. With his rhetoric, he is intentionally breaking with the post-colonial legacy of the Indian independence movement that saw India as a secular, multi-faith state. By Dominik MüllerMore

India, a crumbling democracy: Narendra Modi's vendetta against free-thinking academicsIndia's Muslims under Narendra Modi: Gandhi bows outIndia, Modi and the Muslim minority: "Not yet a Hindu Pakistan"Interview with Indian novelist Arundhati Roy: "India is much more dangerous than it was ten years ago"
Refuelling with hydrogen (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Gollnow)

Green hydrogen in Saudi Arabia

From oil giant to green powerhouse?

Although Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify its energy sector and economy away from fossil fuels, the OPEC leader is eager to maintain its status as a fuel exporter giant by leveraging cheap solar and wind power to produce green hydrogen. By Stasa SalacaninMore

Interview with political scientist Tobias Zumbraegel: How are Middle East countries coping with climate change?Reform in Saudi Arabia: Progress or megalomania?A nuclear Middle East: Arab states court the atom
more Politics »

Society

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
French President Emmanuel Macron with the Lebanese singer Nouhad Haddad, known as Fairouz, Beirut, 1 September 2020 (photo: Soazig de la Moissonniere/Présidence de la République)

Culture and innovation in the Arab world

Where are the new Arab icons?

As the photo of Fairouz talking to French President Emmanuel Macron spread around the world, many asked if Arabs today had any contemporary stars of Fairouz's standing. In this essay for Qantara.de, Khaled Al-Khamissi answers this question and asks whether there is a place for up-and-coming stars in a world that is so hostile to creativity and originalityMore

Lebanese singer Fairouz: The "grande dame" of Arab music turns 85Interview with Lebanese writer Amin Maalouf: Petrodollars proved stronger in the Middle East than cultural traditionMoscow's cultural policy in the Middle East: Arab ambassadors for Russian interestsRemembering Naguib Mahfouz: "A wave of light on an infinite ocean of darkness"
Televangelist Adnan Oktar (C) and other suspects are brought to the Haseki Training and Research Hospital May 29 Additional Service Building in order to send to court in Istanbul, Turkey on July 18, 2018. The number of arrests in connection with a controversial televangelist rose to 179 as police in Turkey searched for those with suspected links to his cult-like organisation (photo: Isa Terli / Anadolu Agency)

Turkey

Sect leader Adnan Oktar – 1,000 years for sex crimes

A Turkish court has sentenced Islamic television preacher and author Adnan Oktar to more than 1,000 years in jail for crimes including forming and leading a criminal gang, fraud and sexual abuseMore

Turkish televangelist Adnan Oktar: Ambassador of Islamic creationismTurkish debate on Darwinism: A creation provokesAlliance of Christian and Muslim creationists: Fossilised thinking proves God's existence
more Society »

Culture

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"
Screenshot from a video by Laxmi Dubey (source: YouTube/Laxmi Dubey/Screenshot)

Hindu nationalism in India

India's hate-filled "saffron pop"

In India, ultra-nationalist musicians are providing a soundtrack for Hindu extremists with songs that glorify violence. The goal is to make the secular and pluralistic country a Hindu nation. By Till FähndersMore

Cultural politics in India: India's celebrities confront Hindu nationalism Narendra Modi: The rape of India's soulCoronavirus in India: Muslims as scapegoatsIndia's Muslims under Narendra Modi: Gandhi bows out
Israeli actress and singer Liraz Charhi (photo: Shai Franco)

Crossing cultural and political boundaries

Singer Liraz Charhi's secret collaboration with Iranians

In an act of subversive diplomacy, Israeli singer and actress Liraz Charhi has recorded her latest album in secret collaboration with Iranian artists. By Carl HolmMore

Pop video sparks political scandal: Iran's hardliners are losing the youthMusic and power in Iran: An instrument of propaganda and controlQantara dossier: Musical worlds
Still from the film "Identity Limits", in which a mother struggles against the general perception in her Mosul neighbourhood that her husband was a "Daeshi," a member of IS (photo: elbarlament)

Iraqi women filmmakers

The power of stories and moving images

The four short films produced as part of the "Women Make Film" project are well worth seeing. They grapple with the ghosts that haunt Iraq: the horrors of IS rule, outdated gender roles and the aftermath of dictatorship. Christopher Resch spoke to the filmmakersMore

Showcasing the writing of Iraqi women: Close to the wounds, but even closer to hopeWomen's liberation in the Gulf: Arab women – fighting for their rights for 60 yearsThe icon of Tahrir Square in Baghdad and Cairo: Arab Spring and October RevolutionCivil society held hostage by corruption and murder: Libya's peace process doomed to failure without its women
more Culture »

In brief

More

Most Recent Photo Essay

The last "German Khar": Ghulam Mohiuddin is in his late 70s, but he still works every day in his small workshop in Srinagar's Rainawari district, producing and repairing small hospital tools made of iron. Through years of practice, he can make replicas of many small tools used in hospitals

Meet the last of Kashmir's 'German Khar' craftsmen

The ''German Khars'' are a family of craftsmen known in Srinagar for their skills repairing old German-made medical equipment. Their craft has been preserved for decades, but today only one blacksmith continues the work. By Rifat Fareed

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

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

Sexual violence in Egypt: Fighting a culture of silence

"Time to speak up" collage (source: Instagram)

As demonstrated by numerous statements by Egyptian women on social media, victims of sexual violence who do talk about their experience are usually met with disbelief or are accused of bringing it on themselves. Why is that so? And why are the perpetrators able to continue to commit crimes with impunity?More

CMES Director Nader Hashemi on Qatar and GCC reconciliation

Nader Hashemi is director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Denver. In this interview with TRTWorld, he gives his view on the reconciliation between Qatar and the member s of the Gulf Cooperation Council.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

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

The best books by Arab authors in 2020

Pile of books (photo: Fotolia/silver-john)

Last year may have been grim for so many reasons, but according to The New Arab, 2020 had plenty to offer in terms of exciting new books from authors of Arab heritage. In this round-up, Elias Jahshan provides a list of some of the best releases – from fiction to memoirs and social commentary – by Arab authors.More

Arabic literature and the African other

Poster advertising the second Annual Arabic Novel Conference hosted by La Maison du Roman in Tunisia, its focus "Black-skin issues" (source: La Maison du Roman)

Racist, anti-black stereotypes persist in Arabic literature. It reveals a racial anxiety and othering of Africa among celebrated Arab authors, writes Mona Kareem.More

William C. Chittick lectures on Ibn Arabi

"It is He who is revealed in every face, sought in every sign, gazed upon by every eye, worshipped in every object of worship, and pursued in the unseen and the visible. Not a single one of His creatures can fail to find Him in its primordial and original nature" - Ibn Arabi, Futuhat al-MakkiyyaMore

Housing, land and property rights in Syria, Iraq and Libya

Cover of the FES report "Reclaiming home: the struggle for socially just housing, land and property rights in Syria, Iraq and Libya"

In this interview, Hannes Baumann (editor of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's latest publication Reclaiming home: the struggle for socially just housing, land and property rights in Syria, Iraq and Libya) explains how important it is that housing, land and property rights (HLP) violations, which contributed to current conflicts, are not perpetuated in the reconstruction of these three countries.More