Canada

Canada: "Manufacturing the Threat"

The sting that bit back

Islamophobic incidents are once again on the rise across the Western world following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. "Manufacturing the Threat" reminds us what lengths governments will go to to achieve the results they believe people want to see
Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi

Religious tolerance in UAE serves national interest

In March 2023, a synagogue was consecrated in Abu Dhabi – the first Jewish house of prayer to be built in the region for a hundred years. It is situated in an interfaith complex called Abrahamic Family House, which aims to present the Emirates as a tolerant, open country. Claudia Mende visited the centre
Modi's Hinduisation of India

The curse of identity politics

Unusual public criticism of India by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau following the murder of a Sikh separatist in Canada has once again focused international attention on the movement for a separate Sikh state. By Mohammad Luqman
10/11, not 9/11

New literary agency for a new approach

Specialising in bold, exciting, contemporary Arabic literature, 10/11 literary agents Sandra Hetzl and Katharine Halls talk to Marcia Lynx Qualey about their tastes and selection criteria, how they divide their work, and what they love (and don't) about literary agenting
Ukraine conference in Saudi Arabia

Diplomatic success for the Crown Prince

A meeting in Saudi Arabia about a war in Europe? The conference in Jeddah shows how much the world is changing. Analysis by Karim El-Gawhary from Cairo
Music: Universal Echoes by Kuné

An impactful message from Canada's Global Orchestra

The musicians in the Canadian music ensemble Kuné come from a diverse array of traditions and cultures. On their new album, they share their concern for our planet's future in a collection of glorious tracks. By Richard Marcus
Golnar Shahyar's 'Tear Drop' and the Iran protests

"A revolution of culture and thought"

Raised in Iran, Golnar Shahyar studied in Canada and has lived in Vienna since 2008. The singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist combines jazz, song-writing and Persian roots with strong lyrics. She talks to Stefan Franzen about her debut solo album "Tear Drop" and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement
Islamophobia in Germany

Muslims face everyday hate

Last Friday – 15 March – was the UN's International Day to Combat Islamophobia. In Germany, many of the 5.5 million-strong Muslim community say they experience discrimination every day. By Christoph Strack
Laury Silvers' "Sufi Mysteries Quartet"

Sleuths on a Sufi path

Rarely has the world of crime-writing taken such an interesting turn. Richard Marcus spoke to American Muslim historian and novelist Laury Silvers about her four detective novels set in Baghdad under the Abbasid caliphate and the advantages of self-publishing
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
Ava Farmehri's "Through the sad wood our corpses will hang"

Flashback to a childhood in Tehran

Iranian-Canadian author Ava Farmehri’s debut novel paints a bleak picture of growing up in Iran after the Islamic Revolution. The book is both a prison novel and a reflection on freedom. Gerrit Wustmann read it for Qantara.de
Human rights repression under Sisi

Egypt activists' meeting with diplomats oversteps the mark

Last week Egypt's police stepped up an "unprecedented escalation" on activists by arresting a leading rights group director. Advocates on the Nile have long weathered a crackdown – what's new is detaining them for meeting foreign diplomats. Tom Allinson reports