Qantara.de - Dialog mit der islamischen Welt

After a decade, 9/11 is over. Its main legacy – the idea that Islam is fundamentally opposed to Western democratic values – has finally lost its power of persuasion. What is making this antithesis untenable is the Arab Spring, which is revealing rather different sides to both Muslims and what the West has stood for in the past. An essay by Geert J. SomsenMore

Ten years after the attacks of 11 September 2001, international media need an East–West consensus – and not just with regard to the usage of key terms. Common standards and ethical norms are indispensable for reporting in crisis situations. A commentary by Loay MudhoonMore

As the Libyan conflict enters its endgame, the time for the country's rebels to seize power is almost at hand. But are they ready to govern Libya when divisions and rivalries pull at the very threads of their alliance? Nick Amies reportsMore

The international community has sharply condemned the violent crackdown in Syria. Support in the Arab world is waning for the Syrian regime, who insists on sticking to its guns. Petra Nicklis and Sabina Casagrande reportMore

The Islamic month of fasting began last Monday – in Europe too, where the majority society still knows far too little about the holy practice, which is a religious duty of all Muslims and one of the "five pillars of Islam". Emel Zeynelabidin says that for this reason, posing questions that are free of fear and born of interest is now a matter of great urgencyMore

The government in Damascus enforces bloody crackdown on its own people during the holy month. The regime is at war with its own people and is trying to devise new explanations for the protest wave. Svenja Andersson reportsMore

In mid-October, people in Tunisia will vote for a constituent assembly aimed at putting the country on the path to democracy. Meanwhile the process of coming to terms with the 23-year Ben Ali dictatorship has only just got off to a hesitant start. A reportage by Sarah Mersch in TunisMore