France
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Interview with Lebanese writer Amin Maalouf
Petrodollars proved stronger in the Middle East than cultural tradition
Decades of oil exports have completely destabilised culture and politics in the Middle East. Speaking with Lena Bopp, the renowned writer Amin Maalouf says that the distorted political discourse in the Arab world is now impacting on the West
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Islamophobia in France
Muslim women excluded from the headscarf debate
France is locked in a row over Islam, Islamophobia and the headscarf. But one key voice is almost completely missing from the debate – that of the women who wear the veil. By Nadia Pantel
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Relations between the EU and Morocco
The stability myth
The EU's relationship with the Moroccan government reinforces the political status quo at a time when a growing number of Moroccans appear to want change. By Chloe Teevan
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The inhumanity of Bosniaʹs Vucjak refugee camp
Within eyeshot of the Bosnian-Croatian border, thousands of refugees are camping in squalor on a former garbage site. Their supplies are scarce. Photographer Dirk Planert was among them
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Interview with Iranian percussionist Habib Meftah
Analogue "electrofolk" from southern Iran
Percussionist Habib Meftah has made an international name for himself with clubbable, acoustically altered folk music. But he also works with dancers and musicians from other genres. His versatility is based on the traditional musical culture of his southern Iranian origins. Interview by Bernd G. Schmitz
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Book review: Raja Alem's "Sarab"
Gender under siege in Mecca
On 20 November 1979, Islamic militants took over the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the holiest site in Islam. Hundreds were killed in the ensuing two-week siege. This pivotal event in modern Islamic history changed Saudi Arabia. It provides the backdrop for Raja Alem's new novel "Sarab", an extraordinary story of love, faith, violence and gender. By Marcia Lynx Qualey
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Europe's policies in the Middle East
Late-colonial convulsions
The UK has stopped an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar. Italy and France are supporting opposing parties at war in Libya. Germany has other priorities. Europe is doing almost exactly what it did 100 years ago. An essay by Stefan Buchen
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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 Sabra
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Book review: Alice Zeniter's "L'Art de perdre"
Rediscovering a lost chapter of (family) history
In her fifth novel, French author Alice Zeniter addresses some very thorny and painful issues in the history of Franco-Algerian relations. Demonstrating a profound knowledge of the subject matter, Zeniter's novel highlights the lot of the Harkis, Algerian Muslims who fought on the side of the French in the Algerian War of Independence. Claudia Kramatschek read the book
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Interview with Franco-Moroccan author Leila Slimani
"Treat right-wing extremists like children"
This year has seen the publication of both Leila Slimani’s debut novel "Adele" and her essay collection "Warum so viel Hass?" in German. The Franco-Moroccan author‘s work addresses big issues such as upbringing, class and race. In conversation with Schayan Riaz, she talks about her reception in different countries, never censoring herself, and the readers’ right to interpretation
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France's "sacred night" of religions
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Nuit Sacree 2019 in Paris
"No-one has a monopoly on transcendence"
On Pentecost weekend – for the fourth year in a row – numerous musicians and religious leaders of various faiths came together in the Parisian parish of Saint Merry to send out a message of peace in the face of religious fundamentalism. Zahra Nedjabat reports