Ten years ago, Egyptians dreamt of change, they took to the streets against President Mubarak. But their hopes were dashed. A look back and forward with writer Alaa Al AswanyMore
If she just played with the image of the victim, it would make things a lot easier for her, but that’s not what she’s going for: the Lebanese children’s book publisher Nadine Touma and her colourful portfolio. Lena Bopp paid her a visit.More
The New Patrons seek to sponsor art projects initiated by citizens in order to better dovetail art and life. Anyone can become their client. In Berlin, the impressive comic "Temple of Refuge" was created on behalf of the Iraqi-Kurdish refugee Sartep Namiq, describing the story of his flight and the hope for a better life. By Stefan DegeMore
Seit 2015 ist das Interesse an syrischer Literatur in deutscher Übersetzung stark gestiegen. Künstler*innen, Übersetzer*innen und Verleger*innen erzählen von ihren Erfahrungen – und darüber, wieso der Hype für sie nicht nur förderlich ist. Von Mari OdoyMore
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
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 They grapple with the ghosts that haunt Iraq: the horrors of IS rule, outdated gender roles and the aftermath of dictatorship.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
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
In August 1978, four men set fire to the Cinema Rex in the Iranian city of Abadan, killing more than four hundred people inside. The event is said to have started the Iranian Revolution to overthrow the Shah's regime. Forty years later, "Careless Crime" by Iranian filmmaker Shahram Mokri depicts four men planning to burn down a cinema in a contemporary Iran where ghosts of the past haunt the current society. Interview by Schayan RiazMore
Many in the West equate Middle Eastern music with the folklore of "A Thousand and One Nights". Tayfun Guttstadt demonstrates just how erroneous this isMore
Thinking of novels about Iran, the first titles that spring to mind might be "Persepolis", "Reading Lolita in Tehran" or "Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America". Internationally acclaimed books they may be, yet few will have heard of them inside the Islamic Republic. Changiz M. Varzi selects some seminal modern works penned in FarsiMore
"Be/coming/home" by the Berlin dis:orient collective – which runs until 22 December – showcases work by six artists in exile in the capital. The multimedia presentation, in the form of a COVID-secure urban walk through Kreuzburg and Neukolln, shows how they experience and influence Berlin as a city of exile. Hannah El-Hitami went to see the exhibition for Qantara.de.More
The explosion in Beirut was a shock for Mary Cochrane, a member of one of Lebanon’s most prominent aristocratic families. Sursock Palace, where the family lives, was severely damaged in the blast, but there‘s no money to save itMore
Since the beginning of the Islamic Republic, the guardians of the country’s religion have been battling to get the correct image of society and history into young people’s heads. But the battle seems to be an increasingly hopeless one. By Shabnam von HeinMore
Aminatou Echard's poetic documentary takes the 1958 novel "Jamilia" by Chingiz Aitmatov as the starting point for conversations with Kyrgyz women of all generations. Inspired by the novel’s eponymous heroine, the protagonists open up about their experiences, desires, and views on women’s rights. By Adela LovricMore
Often disdained by intellectuals, Kahlil Gibran’s "The Prophet" has remained immensely popular for nearly a century since its publication in 1923. Now one of the most translated books in history has undergone another translation – into the visual sphere – by Pete Katz, who both adapted and illustrated the new volume. By Nahrain Al-MousawiMore
For years, singer Aynur Dogan has preserved and expanded the possibilities of traditional Kurdish music, lending a voice to her people. She has just released her seventh studio album. By Marian BrehmerMore
Revered as "Mother of the Lebanese Nation" and "Harp of the Orient", Fairuz is a legend all over the Arab World. Now she is celebrating her 85th birthday. By Suzanne CordsMore
Recently translated into German, "Minaret" tells the story of a young Sudanese woman exiled in London who finds refuge in Islam. Award-winning author Leila Aboulela talks to Anna-Theresa Bachmann about her work, Muslim immigrants in the UK and the recent Sudanese revolutionMore
While Palestinian political concerns are largely ignored these days, Palestinian band of the moment 47Soul is taking the Middle East's music scene by storm. By Daniel BaxMore
The coronavirus lockdown has hit performing artists especially hard, with the cancellation of live concerts denying them their major source of income and promotional opportunities. Emel Mathlouthi was one artist who took to recording a solo project. By Richard MarcusMore
Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of an ancient city in the desert outside Luxor in Egypt. They say it dates back to the golden age of the Pharaohs more than 3,000 years ago. By Dagmar Breitenbach
New York Times: What a tiny masterpiece reveals about power and beauty
Four centuries ago, mighty crosscurrents of religion and culture flowed into a new Indian art. It was courtly and refined, but also eye-poppingly luxuriant.More
Eight Arab architects who shaped the world
For centuries, Arab and Islamic architecture has given birth to traditional styles and world heritage sites, which are studied across the world today for their level of detail and craftsmanship. It is a rich architectural heritage that has paved the way for modern Arab architects. We take a look at eight Arab architects who have shaped the region’s architectural scene over the past fifty years.More
Eurovision and the 'Persian Piaf'
This week the studio guest on France24's Middle East Matters is a singer who has been compared to the legendary French singer-songwriter Edith Piaf. Barbara Pravi, whose mother is Iranian, hails from a family of musicians and artists. In May, she'll be flying the flag for France in the Eurovision Song Contest.More
Mourid Barghouti: Leading Palestinian poet dies aged 77
Leading Palestinian poet Mourid Barghouti has died at the age of 77. Born four years before the state of Israel was created in a village near Ramallah, Barghouti spent much of his life in one form or other of exile – which he recounted in the memoir "I Saw Ramallah", described by fellow Palestinian writer Edward Said as one of the finest accounts of Palestinian displacement.More
ARTE documentary: Isabelle Eberhardt
Rather than perpetuate the romanticised image of the Orient commonplace in 19th century literature, writer and nomad Isabelle Eberhardt traversed and explored the Maghreb with a critical eye. She not only condemned French colonialism, but also the established gender roles of her era.More
BBC: How the Arab Spring changed cinema
A decade after the revolutions, Joseph Fahim looks at how filmmakers reacted to the seismic events – and asks whether the real story of the uprisings is yet to be told.More
Arabic literature and the African other
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
The best books by Arab authors in 2020
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
The people who shaped Islamic civilisation
Chase Robinson's new book "Islamic Civilisation in Thirty Lives" is an elegant digest of the many colourful, creative and technologically innovative manifestations that the Prophet Muhammad inspired from his seventh-century oases in the Arabian peninsula, reminding us that Islam is less a nihilistic creed than a global civilisation.More
Bahrain translation project: 50 key texts now available in Arabic
The Knowledge Transfer Project sponsored by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities is winding down after contributing 50 new titles – including important reference works such as The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy and E.H. Gombrich’s The Story of Art – to the store of knowledge translated from English, French and Italian into Arabic.More
Barjeel Art Foundation announces winners of inaugural poetry prize
The Sharjah-based Barjeel Art Foundation has announced the winners and runners-up of its first ever poetry prize. The poets are both adults and teens, writing in Arabic and English, from around the world, including poets in Nigeria, Gaza, and Russia. This new prize, awarded for the first time in 2020, recognises poems written in English and Arabic that respond to one of 20 works of twentieth-century Arab art.More
Women writing in Arabic: 10 poets to read now
There is very little Arabic poetry by women translated into English; for Women in Translation Month (#WiTMonth), we offer a brief look at ten poets.More
Minority off-screen, minority on-screen: The missing Muslim voice in "Indian Matchmaking"
Despite a deluge of angry tweets and incensed opinion editorials calling Indian Matchmaking "outdated", "orientalist fantasy", "harmful", "cringeworthy", it is astonishing that few have managed to call the show out for its non-inclusiveness. Not one Muslim features in the line-up of this hit Netflix India series.More
UAE author Ahmed Mansoor made honorary member of PEN
Germany's PEN has appointed blogger, poet and human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor, imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates since March 2017, as an honorary member and is demanding his unconditional and immediate release. Mansoor is one of the few independent voices to have publicly denounced human rights violations in the country.More
Johnny Farraj and Sami Abu Shumays: Inside Arab music
"Inside Arabic Music" is a landmark piece of literature for countless students of Arabic music and anyone wishing to learn more about its unique vibe.More
Syrian Heritage Archive Project
The Syrian Heritage Archive Project was launched in 2013 in response to Syria's enormous loss of material heritage following the outbreak of hostilities in 2011. Teams at the Museum of Islamic Art and the German Archaeological Institute in Berlin are working to digitise and archive photo collections and research data on Syria.More
Nabil Saleh takes a walk through Baghdad
On a recent sunny afternoon, I took advantage of the partial lifting of the curfew imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus and decided to drive to central Baghdad, where I enjoy long walks through its aching streets.More
"Quarantine Kitchen": An Iranian artist documents people's routines during lockdown
Iranian artist Golrokh Nafisi has started a series of sketches, "Quarantine Kitchen", documenting the daily scenes and stories of Iranians' newfound time in the kitchen during quarantine.More
Dissident Iranian filmmaker wins top prize at Berlinale
The prestigious Golden and Silver Bears have been handed out at the Berlin Film Festival. Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof was awarded the Berlinale’s top prize, the Golden Bear, for his film 'There Is No Evil'.More
Female Arab directors: 11 films that you need to see
Western critics too often overlook the contribution of Arab women behind the camera. The following 11 titles – in no particular order – are an introduction to the vast pool of Arab women directors whose films are estimated to constitute half of all independent films produced in the region today.More
CNN's Amanpour interviews 2019 Man Booker International prizewinner Jokha Alharthi
"Celestial Bodies" is the first Arabic novel to win the Man Booker International Prize. Amanpour speaks with Omani author Jokha Alharthi and translator Marilyn Booth.More
Arabic literature to be published in translation in 2020
In recent years, the number of Arabic books – both fiction and non-fiction – available in translation has been on the rise. The ArabLit team has put together a list of titles scheduled for publication in 2020.More
The rise and fall of Egyptian Arabic
Once the lingua franca of the Arab world, Egypt's dialect is in decline along with the country's cultural and political leadership, says The EconomistMore
Arab music down the decades
Iranian-Saudi acappella artist Alaa Wardi and Anghami have combined 42 of the most popular Arabic songs, dating back to the 1900s, in a video that gives a whole new meaning to music in the digital age.More
Mirna Bamieh delves into Palestinian cuisine
Mirna Bamieh, artist and cook, is fighting the appropriation and disappearance of Palestinian cuisine by reviving old food practices and forgotten dishes.More
Kurdish artist Shanaz Jamalʹs robe for religious co-existence
On the long white fabric of Shanaz Jamalʹs lovingly embroidered religious robe, the cross faces the crescent and the three-branched wing of the Zoroastrians to the nine-pointed star of the Bahais: with her embroidery, Jamal aims to reconcile the multi-ethnic north of Iraq recently ravaged by jihadistsMore
Harvard Law School's "Words of Justice" include Koran Sura
Included in Harvard Law School's Words of Justice exhibition, Verse 135 of Sura Al Nisa adorns the entrance hall: “O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both".More
Arabic literature and the African other
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
A photographic tour of Europe's mosques
Mosques have been part of the European landscape for centuries, as this photo essay by Ahmed Krausen demonstratesMore
Albukhary Gallery of the Islamic World: "A soaring miracle of art"
It goes without saying that The British Museum's 4-million piece collection of historical objects is one of the most unparalleled in the world. But for the last four years, the museum has been working hard on one project in particular: a brand new gallery dedicated exclusively to the Islamic world.More
Modern art and antiques on show at Lebanon cube museum
Named after the Mesopotamian god of wisdom, the Nabu Museum opened in late September to showcase the cultural wealth of an ancient region devastated by conflict.More
New publication: ArabLit Quarterly
The ArabLit Quarterly officially made its debut on 15 November 2018. This latest publication is the work of the award-winning literary website ArabLit.org., founded and edited by regular Qantara reviewer Marcia Lynx Qualey.More
Archaeological discovery sheds light on Islam's Early Golden Age
DCT Abu Dhabi's archaeologists recently discovered the UAE's oldest mosque in Al Ain. The excavation of the 1000-year old mosque along with a network of falaj dating back to the Abbasid Caliphate, is expected to shed new light on UAE’s history at the dawn of Islam.More
A.B. Shawky's "Yommedine": a coming-of-age comedic road trip
A Coptic leper and his orphaned apprentice leave the confines of the leper colony for the first time and embark on a journey across Egypt to search for what is left of their families.More
Pre-Islamic "ruin poetry" has a message for today
The ruins that inspired pre-Islamic poets hold new meaning for today’s Arabic writers, writes Paul CooperMore
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
![Syrian music band from Ottoman Aleppo, mid 18th century, by Alex. Russel, M.D. 1794. The Chamber Music drawn from life, as described by Russel, "the first is a Turk of lower class, he beats the Diff [Daff]. The person next to him is an ordinary Christian and plays the Tanboor. The middle figure is a Dervish, he is playing the Naie [Nay]. The fourth is a Christian of middle rank, he plays the Kamangi. The last man, he beats the Nakara with his fingers in order to soften the the sound for the voice, but the drum sticks appear from under his vest" (source: Wikipedia.org: Public Domain)](https://en.qantara.de/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/uploads/2020-12/aleppomusic.jpg?itok=DhZPGudX "Syrian music band from Ottoman Aleppo, mid 18th century, by Alex. Russel, M.D. 1794. The Chamber Music drawn from life, as described by Russel, \"the first is a Turk of lower class, he beats the Diff [Daff]. The person next to him is an ordinary Christian and plays the Tanboor. The middle figure is a Dervish, he is playing the Naie [Nay]. The fourth is a Christian of middle rank, he plays the Kamangi. The last man, he beats the Nakara with his fingers in order to soften the the sound for the voice, but the drum sticks appear from under his vest\" (source: Wikipedia.org: Public Domain)")
