Essays

Bullet cases (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Curtis)

Our attitude to violence

The bad guys are always the others

Our standards for gauging violence have become apolitical, causing us to be horrified only by the deeds of individuals. Critical thinking is no longer possible. An essay by Charlotte WiedemannMore

Germany′s refugee policy: Four words for humanitySyrian refugee Nather Henafe Alali: Part II: ″Why I am here″Refugees and German crime rates: Zero correlation
Arab revolt in Palestine in 1936 (photo: Public Domain)

Western involvement in the Middle East

A rotten legacy

Whatever else they were guilty of, the two authors of the invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003, George Bush and Tony Blair, displayed an astonishing ignorance of history. By Roger HardyMore

100 years of Sykes-Picot: "A tapestry of plans and promises"Sykes-Picot and the role of Gertrude Bell: Midwife of the Middle EastVolker Perthes: "The end of the Middle East, as we know it": The end of Sykes-Picot?
Putin and Erdogan shake hands at a recent meeting in St. Petersburg (photo: picture-alliance/TASS/M. Metzel)

Turkish-Russian relations

Farewell America

Despite numerous conflicts between Russia and Turkey in the past, the two countries appear to be moving closer together. This current rapprochement is due to the West′s waning attraction, argues Stefan BuchenMore

Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin: Sunni Islam meets Russian orthodoxyRussian intervention in Syria: Make no mistakeRussia′s air strikes in Syria: Courting the aggressor
Whirling dervishes (photo: Deutsche Welle)

Sufism

Lifting the lid

Many Western devotees of Sufism view it as a more liberal brand of Islam. That is a misunderstanding. An essay by Stefan WeidnerMore

Interview with Mevlevi sheikh Kabir Helminski: Sufism and the power to transformSufis in Afghanistan: The forgotten mystics of the Hindu KushCombating violent extremism: Could Sufi Islam be the cure-all?
A damaged window at the police headquarters in Ankara on 18 July 2016 (photo: Reuters/O. Orsal)

Talking Turkey

″What happens on the Bosphorus affects us all″

The West′s attitude toward Turkey matters. For an outcome that reflects democratic values and is favourable to Western and Turkish interests alike, Western diplomats need to escalate their engagement with Turkey. Essay by Sweden′s former foreign minister, Carl BildtMore

The Middle East: Preserving the Ottoman mosaicTurkish involvement in Syria: Making enemiesInterview with the turkish journalist Ahmet Sik: Turkey's coup plotters 'sold each other out'
Pro-Erdogan demonstration on Taksim Square on 10 August 2016 (photo: Reuters/O. Orsal)

Putsch aftermath in Turkey

The coup after the coup

Although the coup in Turkey failed, democracy has nevertheless lost, writes Aydin Engin, interim editor-in-chief of the Turkish daily "Cumhuriyet", in his essay for Qantara.deMore

Interview with the turkish journalist Ahmet Şık: Turkey's coup plotters 'sold each other out'Turkey's democratic future: Hanging by a threadFreedom of expression in Turkey: Academics on the run
The Egyptian military pulls the strings of power – graffiti on a wall close to Tahrir Square in Cairo (photo. Reuters)

Political discourse in the Arab world

Defaming democracy

The author and political analyst Majed Kayali criticises Arab intellectuals for defaming democracy, which, despite everything, is still in his opinion the most effective system of government and society humanity has thus far devisedMore

Political transformation in the Arab world: Forget the peopleArab Spring five years on: Brave new world?Reforming the Arab security sector: A plea for transparency
Egyptian boy demonstrating on Tahrir Square in 2011 (photo: AP)

Egypt and the Arab Spring

Vive la resistance!

In the Arab world, even the smallest acts of resistance can give a sense of self-worth, encouraging a long-demoralised people to feel that change, after all, is possible. By Nael ShamaMore

Political transformation in the Arab world: Forget the peopleThe revolution of 25 January 2011 and its consequences: Learning from past mistakesPopular unrest in the Middle East: Who says popular demand for change is off the agenda?
Muslim student during the gala evening at the Berlin Foreign Ministry in support of the European Studies programme (photo: picture-alliance/Andreas Keuchel)

Islam and feminism

Go forth and create role models!

On the one hand, a marked swing to the right; on the other, there is now widespread talk about feminism – even Islamic feminism! Charlotte Wiedemann examines the challenges faced by Muslim womenMore

Topic: Feminism in IslamSexualised violence against women: A feminism of new alliancesPortrait of the theologian Rabeya Muller: Equality in the name of IslamInterview with Ingrid Mattson: ″Muslim youngsters need genuine role models″
Criticised by his enemies, celebrated by his supporters: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (photo: Reuters)

Turkey post-coup

In times of paranoia

Many observers believe that Erdogan can now live out his omnipotence fantasies without impediment. But the deep split through the state apparatus will not make it easy for him to govern. And the paranoia of the Turkish President is resulting in irrational decisions, says Omer ErzerenMore

Turkey and the failed coup: God′s gift to ErdoganPutsch aftermath in Turkey: Autocracy or military dictatorship?The Gülen Movement: Erdoğan Is Not Turkey's Only Problem
Iranian woman walks past graffiti of a gun with the design of an American flag

Reform Islam

Can Iran do democracy?

A great deal of thought has been devoted to the issue of democracy in the Arab world over the last few decades. Katajun Amirpur examines the discourse with specific reference to Iran and its unique political systemMore

Abdolkarim Sorush: For an open interpretation of the KoranInterview with Mohammad Mojtahed Shabestari (Part 1): ''Islam is a religion, not a political agenda''Interview with Mohammad Mojtahed Shabestari (Part 2): ''Muslims can have democracy without having to leave Islam''Interview with Mohammad Mojtahed Shabestari: Why Islam and democracy go well together
A Muslim woman studies the Koran

Reforming Islam

1

Show me the Sharia

There is violence in the name of Sharia, yet assertions by Muslims that this has nothing to do with genuine Islam seem fated to fall on deaf ears. A contribution to the debate by Cefli AdemiMore

The Reform Islam debate: Islam doesn′t need a Martin Luther!Interview with the Islamic scholar Ebrahim Moosa: The reinvention of IslamInterview with Maha El-Kaisy-Friemuth: "We urgently need reform within Islam"
″Get lost!″ – sign on a barrier erected by soldiers of the Republican Guard in front of the presidential palace in Cairo (photo: Reuters)

Political transformation in the Arab world

Forget the people

Revolutions rarely meet the expectations and hopes of those in the Arab world. The chance of transforming political impotence into collective agenda-setting power remains slim while repressive authoritarian regimes persist. By Hakim Khatib More

Repression and legitimation in Egypt: The world as al-Sisi sees itArab Spring five years on: Brave new world?Post-Arabellion reform deadlock: The logic of power
Palestinians wait at the Rafah border crossing (photo: Reuters/I.A. Mustafa)

Palestine and its Arabic neighbours

Gaza – a city no one wants

The Gazans have been abandoned and left in the hands of Hamas to do with them as they please. This policy is transforming Gaza slowly but steadily into a hotbed of radicals. By Abdalhadi AlijlaMore

Investigations into the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict: What prospects for accountability in Gaza?"The Blue Between Sky and Water" by Susan Abulhawa: Love and suffering in GazaBook review: "The Drone Eats with Me" by Atef Abu Saif: A war without distinct edges
Religious supporters of the "Islamic Defender Front" (FPI) demonstrate in Jakarta (photo: Adek Berry/AFP/Getty Images)

Political Islam in Indonesia

Wahhabism runs into the sand

Many Indonesians are watching with concern as religious intolerance and violence against minorities continues to escalate. But the vast majority are successfully stemming the tide of radical tendencies. By Franz Magnis-SusenoMore

Interview with Franz Magnis-Suseno: "Freedom of Religion Must Also Apply to Minorities"Interview with Fritz Schulze: "Islam is deeply rooted in Indonesian democracy"Indonesian President-elect Joko Widodo: Comfortable among the people
Boy sits on a wrecked tank in Kobani (photo: Getty Images/AFP/Y. Akgul)

Syrian conflict

1

Everyone against everyone

Rather than being concerned with the fate of the Syrian people, the Geneva peace talks mainly focus on the interests of the two superpowers Russia and the US, writes Islam scholar and sociologist Huda ZeinMore

Interview with the journalist and author Garance le Caisne: Caesar and the butcher of DamascusThe Syrian uprising five years on: Alive and kickingSyria conflict: Feigning helplessness
Symbolic image of Ramadan (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/N. Mounzer)

Fasting during Ramadan

Too much of a good thing

Ramadan is like Islam as a whole: from a distance, people are scared of it. But close up, it′s wonderful. If only it weren′t for an uncomprehending majority on one side, and the pious hard-core fasters on the other. By Anja HilscherMore

Anja Hilscher's book "Image Problem": Addressing the problem of Islam's imageThe Islamic month of Ramadan: A test of willpowerThe holy month of Ramadan: To fast or not to fastRamadan for shopkeepers: Breaking the fast with dates and seafood
Abdelilah Benkirane, General Secretary of the Justice and Development Party – PJD (photo: DW)

Religion and politics in Morocco

Blurred lines

In Tunisia, the Ennahda Party has announced it is decoupling its political work from ongoing efforts to establish an Islamic social model. In Morocco too, the Justice and Development Party is presenting itself as a primary advocate for the separation of both spheres. In this essay, Ali Anouzla examines what lies behind the rhetoric More

Democratic change in Morocco: The right king in the wrong monarchy?Three years after the Arab Spring: Self-criticism and genuine dialogue required10th conference of the Tunisian Ennahda Party: Farewell to political Islam?
Homophobic graffiti on a house wall (photo: Getty Images/AFP/A. Nimani)

Islam and homophobia

The hatred on our doorstep

Homosexuality is considered taboo in the Muslim community. But no one can expect tolerance if he himself makes a habit of excluding others. Those demanding solidarity must first set an example. By Busra DelikayaMore

Interview with the South African imam Muhsin Hendricks: "Islam does give us leeway to think"Attitudes to sexuality among Muslim students in Germany: Challenging homophobiaMass shooting in Orlando: Sounding the death knell
Archive image of Merkel and Erdogan (photo: dpa)

Turkey and the refugee deal

False friends forever

Germany is facing a crucial question. How can the refugees be stopped? Demonstrating an alarming lack of historical awareness, Chancellor Angela Merkel is putting all her faith in an alliance with Turkey. Yet as events of the early 20th century clearly showed, Germany should never make its political destiny dependent on co-operation with the nationalistic Turkish state. An essay by Stefan BuchenMore

EU-Turkey deal: The alternative is IdomeniEurope′s response to the refugee crisis: "Ugly, feckless and dysfunctional"Refugee crisis in Europe: The price of European indifference

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Birth of two nations: in 1947, British India was divided into two countries – India and Pakistan. Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah and his All-India Muslim League party had first demanded autonomy for Muslim-majority areas in the undivided India and only later a separate country for Muslims. Jinnah believed that Hindus and Muslims could not continue to live together, as they were distinctly different "nations"

Partition of India: The way forward

On 15 August 1947, British India split into two nations – Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. The two countries continue to be hostile towards each other despite some efforts to improve bilateral ties. By Shamil Shams

Fethullah Gulen: from partner to arch-enemy

Fethullah Gulen (left), Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right) (photo: picture-alliance/Zaman/Reuters/M. Sezer)

Moderate or radical? Fethullah Gulen's followers inside Turkey were once widely regarded as a critical force in aiding Erdogan and his moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party in bringing the military firmly under civilian control and in weakening the firm barrier between mosque and state.More

Online magazine Jadaliyya

Featuring contributions by writers from the Islamic world, the independent online magazine "Jadaliyya" is published by the Arab Studies Institute.More

Sadiq Khan speaks out against Islamist terror: "You will not divide us"

On Saturday, Mayor Khan addressed an audience of thousands at London′s 11th annual Eid ul-Fitr celebration in Trafalgar Square for the first time since taking office. He called for peace, unity and an embrace of religious freedom and diversity, describing this as one of London′s great strengths. He pledged zero tolerance of hate crimes, reports of which have risen in the wake of the EU leave vote, and he denounced ″criminals who do bad things and use the name of Islam to justify what they do″.More

Muslims: in defence of religious freedom and the German constitution

Muslims in Germany have launched a petition calling on all citizens of Germany to support the German legal system, especially the German constitution and its protection of religious freedom.More

Muslims of Central Asia by Sergei Prokudin-Gorskii ca. 1910

A cloth merchant sits in his stall in Samarkand (present-day Uzbekistan)

Muslims of Central Asia by Sergei Prokudin-Gorskii ca. 1910

Between 1909 and 1912, photographer Sergei Prokudin-Gorskii was commissioned to conduct a photographic survey of the Russian Empire by Tsar Nicholas II. Using a special camera he captured three black and white images in fairly quick succession, using red, green and blue filters. These were later overlaid and projected with filtered lanterns to show near true colour images. These photographs pre-date both the Russian Revolution and the First World War. Take a step back in time and see what life was like for Muslims more than a century ago with these photos made available by the Library of Congress, which purchased the original glass plates back in 1948.

The first colour photos of the Middle East

Palestinian ploughing at the end of the nineteenth century

These images of Middle Eastern cities, towns and attractions were taken during the 1890s. Colour was added manually to the black and white negatives using the Photochrom technique pioneered by Photoglob Zurich AG.More

Bosnia Herzegovina: Mosque of hope

It is over twenty years since the end of the war in Bosnia, yet many Muslims in Bosnia still feel alienated. A mosque destroyed by the civil war reopened recently.More

Jihad and homosexuality: a history of entanglement

"The Snake Charmer", by Jean-Leon Gerome (1824–1904), used on the cover of Edward Said's seminal work "Orientalism"

At the heart of jihadist political violence are specific conceptualisations of gender and sexuality. Jihadism imagines a glorified militant masculinity that protects the Muslim world from the European threat and purifies its societies of internal decay.More

D+C Development and Cooperation

Development and Cooperation (source: D+C)

D+C Development and Cooperation is a website and a monthly print magazine that seeks to provide a credible forum of debate, involving governments, civil society, the private sector and academia at an international level. It contains interesting articles and reports on politics and society all over the world.More