Author: Martina Sabra

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Cover section of Amjad Nasser's poetry anthology "Shepherd of Solitude" (published by Banipal)

Book review: Amjad Nasser's "Land of No Rain"

A milestone of modern Arabic literature

Jordanian author Amjad Nasser, who died in 2019, presents an impressive tale of homelands, life in exile and the hardships of returning home. His profound eloquence and use of experimental literary forms make “Land of No Rain” a landmark publication in modern Arabic literature, writes Martina Sabra in her review for QantaraMore

Novelist and critic Elias Khoury: The nightmare of realityQantara dossier: Arabic literature Amjad Nasser on the role of Arab writers in Arab society: Speaking out in societies without wordsBook review: Stefan Weidner's ʺ1001 Books. The Literatures of the Orientʺ: The Middle East – a rich vein of world literature
Postcard showing the Hotel Majestic in Tunis in the 1930s (source: Wikipedia)

Book review: Daniel Speck's "Piccola Sicilia"

Little Sicily in North Africa

With "Piccola Sicilia", Daniel Speck proves himself to be a great storyteller and intercultural bridge builder. This family saga also spotlights a little-known chapter of Tunisian history: the German occupation of the country in 1942/1943 and the fate of Tunisia's Jews. By Martina SabraMore

The Jewish community in Tunisia: "Everything is ok; we don't have any problems"Book review: Cecile Oumhaniʹs "Tunisian Yankee": Life is elsewhereMuslims who saved Jews during World War II: The forgotten Schindlers
Still from "Voices of Jordan" web video (source: ranasweis.com)

Rana Sweisʹ "Voices of Jordan"

A realistic snapshot of Jordanian society

Journalist Rana Sweis spent a period of nearly two years interviewing people of different backgrounds in Jordan. "Voices of Jordan" is a fascinating compilation of the portraits she penned during this time. By Martina SabraMore

Cultural shift in Jordan: A slow awakening″Naqsh″ – the Arabic cultural cafe: Amman's bridge buildersQantara photo essay: The treasures of Jordan
Egyptian oud player and singer Sheikh Imam (source: YouTube)

Legendary oud player and singer Sheikh Imam

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Egypt's musical rebel

2 July 2018 marked the centenary of the birth of Egyptian protest singer Sheikh Imam. Martina Sabra visited the legendary artist several times in the 1990s and has observed that many years after his death, Sheikh Imam's music is still very much alive on the streets of EgyptMore

The soundtrack of the Arab Spring: Pop, pathos, and poetryInterview with Iranian artist Shirin Neshat: The many faces of Oum KulthumJazz in the Arab world: The roots of fusion
Lutheran pastor Mitri Raheb (photo: Diyar Center)

Interview with Lutheran pastor Mitri Raheb

″Till we have a fair peace″

Mitri Raheb is a Lutheran pastor and Arab Christian and the founder of the International Center of Bethlehem. Martina Sabra talks to him about Luther's influence in the Middle East, the chances of an Islamic Reformation and accusations of anti-SemitismMore

Interfaith dialogue in Palestine: Reviving a heritage of peaceful co-existenceIsraeli-Palestinian relations: Dialogue in a time of conflictQantara dossier: "Dialogue of religions"
Refugees in the Moroccan province of Nador gaze down on the Spanish exclave Melilla (photo: picture-alliance/AP)

Moroccan migration expert Hicham Aroud

″Cologne 2015 was a watershed″

Measures introduced since the 2015 New Year's Eve sex attacks in the German city of Cologne have led to greater repression, higher walls and tighter controls. The only ones to benefit are the people traffickers, says Hicham Aroud, an expert for migration and asylum policy based in the Moroccan city of Rabat. Interview by Martina SabraMore

Migration pact with Africa: The EU′s paper tigerMigration in Morocco: From emigration to immigrationHamid Skif: "The Geography of Fear": The refrain of a shadowy existence
Conference centre in Marrakesh (photo: AP)

Climate conference in Marrakesh

A golden opportunity?

With this year's UN Climate Change Conference taking place in Marrakesh, more media attention is being paid to environmental activists and green issues in Morocco than ever before. But will this have a lasting impact on the collective awareness of environmental issues, environmental protection and climate change policy in this north African country? Martina Sabra reportsMore

Climate change consequences for the Islamic world: Of infernal proportionsEco-Islam: Noor al-Hussein speaks out: Islam, faith and climate changeGreen Islam: The fair mosque
Wedding in Amman (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/dpaweb)

Marital traditions in the Islamic world

Marriage first, love later?

The number of arranged marriages in the Middle East and North Africa is decreasing. Matrimony between cousins is still widespread, but matches of this kind now account for at most a quarter of all weddings. A growing number of young people find their partners without mediation; marriage for love is their ideal. By Martina SabraMore

Shereen El Feki's ''Sex and the Citadel':' Exploring a sexual minefieldLove in Egypt: "Does love as it is here exist in Europe?"Interview with Joumana Haddad: "Eroticism is the pulse of life"
Former Secretary-General of Transparency International, Azzedine Akesbi (photo: DW)

Reform in Morocco

Plagued by inertia

The former Secretary-General of Transparency Maroc Azzedine Akesbi was in Germany in June for a research project he is conducting as a fellow at the German Development Institute (DIE). With a view to the upcoming parliamentary elections in Morocco on 7 October 2016, Martina Sabra spoke with the economist and education expert on political reforms and the fight against corruption in the countryMore

Religion and politics in Morocco: Blurred linesDemocratic change in Morocco: The right king in the wrong monarchy?Western Sahara – the last colony in Africa: ″Armed resistance is their only choice″
Buchcover "Auf der Flucht" von Karim El-Gawhary & Mathilde Schwabeneder; Quelle: Kremayr und Scheriau Verlag

Book review: ″Auf der Flucht″ by Karim El Gawhary and Mathilde Schwabeneder

Born in the wrong place

″Auf der Flucht″ by Karim El Gawhary and Mathilde Schwabeneder tells stirring and disturbing real-life tales of people who have lost everything. Martina Sabra read the bookMore

The emotional wounds of refugee children: Talking about the unspeakableMigration and human rights: Refugee versus migrant: what's in a name?Qantara dossier: Refugees
AMLAC supporters calling for a stop to illegal abortion and a legalisation of abortion (photo: private)

Morocco's abortion ban

Acknowledging reality

There are plans afoot to liberalise Morocco's abortion laws. While an initial draft reform presented by the Ministers for Justice, Religious Affairs and Human Rights in mid-May has been sharply criticised by some women's rights organisations, doctors are expressing cautious optimism. By Martina SabraMore

Women's rights in Morocco: Gender equality on paper onlyWomen in Morocco: Rape victims no longer forced to marry their aggressorsWomen's rights in Morocco: Activists see little hope for gender policy reforms
A Palestinian flag caught in barbed wire near Ni'lin (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

Israeli economist Shir Hever

An economy of disparities

In his book "The Political Economy of Israel's Occupation", the Israeli economist Shir Hever analyses the relationship between the economy and Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories and its global impact. Martina Sabra read the book and spoke with the authorMore

General election in Israel: Disillusionment and hopeAfter the election in Israel: Palestine's hope in NetanyahuInterview with Sari Nusseibeh: "Israelis and Palestinians will have to start thinking seriously about a one-state solution"Investigations into the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict: What prospects for accountability in Gaza?
The Tabadoul Orchestra

The Tabadoul Orchestra

Worldwide "Wahab"

Following in the footsteps of the major Egyptian composer Mohammed Abdel Wahab, the Tabadoul Orchestra brings together musical styles from all over the world. The ensemble was founded by musicians from Cologne, Egypt and Turkey. By Martina SabraMore

The Tabadoul Orchestra websiteA German brass band in the Middle East: Touring the Orient with a trumpet and a notepadMarcel Khalifeh: "An iconic figure of contemporary Arab culture"Music scene in Beirut: Nostalgic about the war
Rihan (left) and Faia Younan (photo: YouTube)

Syrian anti-war video "To Our Countries"

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Embarrassing media hype

Syrian sisters Faia and Rihan Younan, residents of Sweden since 2003, have triggered a global hype with their peace song "To Our Countries". While western media reaction to the video has been for the most part enthusiastic, the response in the Arab world has been one of scorn. By Martina SabraMore

Facebook: Syrian Theatergroup: "Firqat Khutwa Al Fanniya"Creative Protest against Syria's Regime: The Puppet RebellionSyrian Artists Caught between Censorship and Criticism: The Art of Ambiguity
The Tunisian documentary filmmaker Sami Tlili (photo: Filminitiativ Köln e.V.)

Interview with the Tunisian documentary filmmaker Sami Tlili

"We've reached a crossroads"

In conversation with Martina Sabra, the Tunisian literary scholar and documentary filmmaker Sami Tlili talks about the political future of the North African country following the recent parliamentary elections, and the democratic prospects three years after the "Jasmine Revolution"More

Parliamentary and presidential elections in Tunisia: The euphoria has evaporatedInterview with Tunisian human rights activist Bochra Belhadj Hamida: "Demonised, insulted and threatened"Three years after the Arab Spring: Self-criticism and genuine dialogue required
Bochra Belhadj Hamida (photo: baya.tn)

Interview with Tunisian human rights activist Bochra Belhadj Hamida

"Demonised, insulted and threatened"

Bochra Belhadj Hamida is a lawyer and one of the most prominent human and women's rights activists in Tunisia. She is now running for parliament for Nidaa Tounes, a new party that brings together a range of political viewpoints. She discussed the current situation in Tunisia in an interview with Martina SabraMore

Interview with the human rights activist Sihem Bensedrine: Tunisia's democratic awakening under threatVictims of the Tunisian Revolution: The slow and painful search for the truthTunisia's new constitution: The pain and joy of giving birthThree years after the Arab Spring: Self-criticism and genuine dialogue required

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