Turkey
All countries-
Rumi, mystic and poet
Message of love: Qantara series on the 750th anniversary of Rumi's death
Even after seven and a half centuries, Rumi's verses have lost nothing of their depth and transformative power. A series of articles by Qantara.de marking the 750th anniversary of the death of the Persian poet Rumi
-
Women in Turkey's local elections
Believe in the power of women!
As Turkey heads towards local elections in March, Qantara.de contributor Ayse Karabat has been helping train female hopefuls seeking to race in these and future elections in a country where women's representation in politics remains staggeringly low. A special report
-
750th anniversary of Rumi’s death – Part 7
"Light your beacon!"
In Rumi's lifetime, too, people were frightened by war and uncertainty. His poetry has much to teach us about human nature
-
Turkish literature in translation
Hakan Bicakci's disintegrating self
At the heart of Hakan Bicakci's novel "Schlaftrunken" – literally 'half-asleep' – lies an Istanbul torn apart by the gentrifying diggers and a protagonist plagued by sleeplessness and nightmares, watching his life slip through his fingers
-
Turkey local elections and Internet censorship
Erdogan's grand plan
Ahead of the local elections in March 2024, Turkey is facing increased Internet censorship, with the government blocking web pages and VPN services. The move is part of Erdogan's strategy to regain control over major cities
-
Gaza war challenges Germany's culture of remembrance
"Decent people must take a stand!"
Germany is seeing a lurch to the right in its political discourse and minorities in society are being increasingly stigmatised. A new historical consciousness can counteract these trends, says historian Juergen Zimmerer in interview with Qantara.de
-
750th anniversary of Rumi's death – Part 6
Academic research and spiritual exploration
No Islamic mystic in the past two centuries has touched literary figures and academics in both East and West as much as Rumi. A look at the history of research into this hugely influential spiritual teacher
-
DAVA party woos ethnic Turks
Germany fears the "Erdogan party"
For days, Germany has been discussing the emergence of a new party. Its name: DAVA. Critics say it is the extended arm of Turkish President Erdogan. Who is behind DAVA and what are its aims?
-
750th anniversary of Rumi's death – Part 5
Iranians seek refuge in Rumi
For centuries, Rumi’s verses have been part of Persia’s spiritual heritage. In these uncertain times, Iranians are increasingly turning to the Sufi poet
-
Kurdistan + 100
Stories from a future republic
"Kurdistan + 100" is the third anthology in Comma Press's "future past" series, and a fourth – Egypt + 100 – is set to be published next year. Writers are asked to imagine a moment in the future connected to an event in their shared past
-
Turkey
"Red Buds" – a TV series divides the country
The Turkish media authority has imposed a two-week broadcasting ban and fine on the series "Red Buds", in which religious and liberal worlds collide. The series is apparently too close to the bone
-
Sunnis and Shias in Islam
How the Sunni-Shia split shaped the Islamic world throughout history
Toby Matthiesen's new book, "The Caliph and the Imam", explores both the origins of the Sunni-Shia divide, what the two branches of Islam have in common and how the split has shaped the Islamic world