Racism | discrimination
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The Gulf
Bahrain – where human rights don’t count
The catastrophic human rights situation in Bahrain is being largely ignored by the rest of the world. Despite all the damning evidence, which includes a Human Rights Watch report, the West is unlikely to apply any pressure on the regime due to geostrategic interests. By Diana Hodali
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Best of Qantara.de 2021
Top ten most-read articles on Qantara.de
Every year in December, the team at Qantara.de takes a look back at the articles that proved most popular with our readers. This year is no different. Here is a run-down of the stories that mattered most to you in 2021. Happy New Year to all our readers!
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Fatima & Zawahry's "American*ish"
Not quite the American dream
"American*ish" – co-written by Aizzah Fatima and Iman K. Zawahry, and directed by the latter – is a rom com for an America too many don't want to acknowledge. Whereas most mainstream American TV and films present the Muslim immigrant community as a monolithic group with a kind of hive mind, this film goes out of its way to break the mould. By Richard Marcus
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First ever antidiscrimination chatbot
Meta: standing up to racism
Former lawyer Said Haider has invented a chatbot for those seeking advice on anti-discrimination issues – Meta is the first chatbot of its kind in the world. In conversation with Qantara.de, Haider talks about the development of Meta, his experience of discrimination and Meta's future prospects
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Najat El Hachmi’s "La filla estrangera"
An irrepressible desire for freedom
In her latest novel, Catalan-Moroccan writer Najat El Hachmi tells the story of a young migrant woman struggling to balance her desire for freedom and the demands of tradition and family. With great openness and a sensuous use of language, El Hachmi paints a picture of the timeless conflict encountered by young people striving for self-determination. Volker Kaminski read the book for Qantara.de
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Islamic scholar Mathias Rohe on the muezzin call
"Traditional religious practice is not political Islam"
Since the German city of Cologne launched a two-year model project to allow Muslim communities to perform the call to prayer, there has been much heated public debate on the issue. Islamic scholar and law professor Mathias Rohe examines the arguments
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Discrimination against black people in the MENA region
Not just a Western problem
Racism exists in the Arab world. People with dark skin are discriminated against and often see their rights curtailed. Activists have had enough of such treatment and are starting to rise up. The greatest progress has been made in Tunisia. By Mona Naggar
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Canada's Islamic History Month 2021
Fighting "othering" on all fronts
Ever since a 2007 decree by the Canadian parliament, October has been celebrated as the country's Islamic History Month. Four weeks of events across the country highlight the significant role Muslims play in Canadian society and their extraordinary contribution to world culture. By Richard Marcus
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More German MPs with a migrant background
Germany's 2021 election – the diverse lawmakers making history
At 735 members, Germany's newly elected Bundestag is the largest it has ever been. But it is also becoming more diverse. More members of parliament come from ethnic minorities. It's a historic opportunity. By Lisa Hanel
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Germany's general election
Not enough migrants in German politics
One in four people in Germany has a migration background, but less than 8% of the members of parliament have foreign roots. Germany is out of touch with reality, says Maissun Melhem
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The West and Islam 20 years after 9/11
Paranoia, now
A deluge of books, movies, series and cover stories: ever since the events of 9/11, the West has seemed almost manically preoccupied with Islam. Yet this has rarely led to deeper understanding. Instead, what has been reinforced is the concept of Islam as fate. By Sonja Zekri
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Migration policy
Europe's migrants are part of the solution
Migrants are often maligned as being responsible for Europe's problems. Yet their integration is in Europe's interest. Michael Thaidigsmann believes that a long-term vision is overdue