Qantara Startseite Englisch - Dialogue with the Islamic world
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Turkey's Gülen movementThe promise of Islamic moral governance
Though often portrayed as unique, the teachings and tactics of the Gülen movement have generally aligned with those of Turkey's Sunni mainstream. The movement's fraught relationship with the AKP reveals deeper tensions within the country's religious-political landscape. With both camps failing to establish a more ethical, Islam-based politics, a critical reassessment is overdue.
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Sudanese refugees in ChadAn uncertain future
More than half a million people have fled war in Sudan into neighbouring Chad. Humanitarian workers are scrambling to provide support amid overcrowding, limited funding and widespread trauma.
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Science Fiction from TurkeyA spark of reality in literary dystopia
Above the clouds, lies not just boundless freedom, but also dystopian visions of the future. With his collection Über den Wolken und andere Geschichten [Above the Clouds and Other Stories], editor Ünver Alibey shows that science fiction is no longer a solely Western genre.
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Northern Gaza under siege"Either we survive together or we all die together"
As the Israeli encirclement of North Gaza continues, the humanitarian situation is becoming increasingly dire. Trapped residents share their stories of daily life under siege.
Politics
More about Politics-
US election 2024What Trump's victory means for Iran
Donald Trump has won the US presidential election. Many Iranian opposition members hope that this will lead to the overthrow of the Islamic regime. But Trump's actions, especially in foreign policy, are not always predictable.
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US election 2024Time to vote for Trump? How the Democrats are losing Arab voters
Arab-Muslim voters in the US are turning away from the Democrats because of their support for Israel. In Michigan, a Democratic mayor has even endorsed Trump. The US election may well be decided in this state, which is home to about 240,000 Muslims.
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General election in Modi's India"Muslims are the principal target"
With elections on 19 April, India looks set to re-elect Narendra Modi's BJP party, greenlighting an ongoing process of Hinduisation on the subcontinent. The persecution of Muslims and other minorities will intensify. Yet India has little to fear in the way of criticism from its Western allies, says political scientist Achin Vanaik
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Iran drone attacksWhy did some Arab countries help Israel?
Some analysts saw the fact that Arab nations helped Israel and the U.S. repel a major Iranian attack as cause for celebration. Countries like Jordan have, however, more complicated motivations for coming to Israel's aid
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After the local elections in TurkeyAn end to AKP rule?
Last week's local election results in Turkey are a setback for the ruling AKP party and President Erdogan – but do they also herald an end to the party's uncontested power?
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ICJ "genocide" case brought against GermanyBerlin's unconditional support for Israel
Nicaragua has brought a case before the International Court of Justice in The Hague aiming to end Germany's ongoing support for Israel, claiming it violates the Genocide Convention. The outcome is likely to be historic
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2024 General election in IndiaA third term for Hindu nationalism?
As the world's largest democracy gets ready to vote in the upcoming general election, Narendra Modi and his BJP look set to win a third consecutive term in power. Critics warn, however, that if the BJP wins another election victory, it will continue reshaping the country into a Hindu state.
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Local elections in TurkeyHow the opposition won
Turkey's economic woes are the reason why so many voters turned against long-sitting President Erdoğan, experts say.
Society
More about Society-
Reform of Iraq's Personal Status LawAre Shiite forces on the verge of victory?
The Personal Status Law in Iraq encompasses regulations on marriage, divorce, child custody, inheritance and more. It could soon be amended, with dramatic consequences for women's and children's rights. Feminists and left-leaning political parties have mobilised to defend it.
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Tareq Sydiq’s book “The New Protest Culture”Can protests transform society?
From Iran to the Last Generation, citizens in democracies and dictatorships alike are taking to the streets. Tareq Sydiq analyses these uprisings and asks why some fail while others dramatically change the system.
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750th anniversary of Rumi's death – Part 6Academic research and spiritual exploration
No Islamic mystic in the past two centuries has touched literary figures and academics in both East and West as much as Rumi. A look at the history of research into this hugely influential spiritual teacher
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German academia and the war in GazaUniversities must remain places of dialogue
Discussions about the Middle East conflict naturally tend towards polarisation. In Germany, showing empathy for victims of political violence in Israel while drawing attention to the suffering of Gazan and West Bank Palestinians, who bear the brunt of any major confrontation, is a tricky balancing act
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German immigration policyYazidis relive the horror as deportation looms
Recently Germany's "culture of welcome" has given way to a much tougher asylum and immigration policy. Now Yazidi survivors of IS genocide face an uncertain, potentially re-traumatising future
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Gaza war challenges Germany's culture of remembrance"Decent people must take a stand!"
Germany is seeing a lurch to the right in its political discourse and minorities in society are being increasingly stigmatised. A new historical consciousness can counteract these trends, says historian Juergen Zimmerer in interview with Qantara.de
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Pakistan electionWhy are rural women more willing to vote?
During Pakistan's last election in 2018, women from five remote areas of the country were more likely to vote than anywhere else in the country, including big cities
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Interview with Islam expert Felix KoernerThe Pope and the Muslims
Will Pope Francis still be travelling to Riyadh? What will be the outcome of his planned visit to Indonesia? How important is his friendship with Grand Sheikh al-Tayyeb? Interview with Islamic scholar Felix Koerner, five years after the Abu Dhabi document "on human fraternity"
Culture
More about Culture-
Çiğdem Akyols's novel on Germany’s guest workersClear-eyed and unsentimental
In her debut novel, Çiğdem Akyol tells the story of a family caught between Germany and Turkey. The journalist offers an unvarnished portrait of the guest-worker generation and their children and sheds light on their ruthless exploitation in Germany.
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Jewish composer Brigitte SchifferFleeing the Nazis and thriving in Cairo
Many Jewish musicians fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1940s. Composer Brigitte Schiffer was one of the few who put down roots in Egypt. In this interview, the German music professor Matthias Pasdzierny charts her unusual story.
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Palestine's cultural heritageThe first digital Palestinian embroidery database
Award-winning entrepreneur Zain Masri has so far digitised about 1,000 traditional Palestinian cross-stitch patterns, now available for download from her platform, Tirazain
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LebanonKhalil Gibran's hometown celebrates 'The Prophet' centennial
Nestled in the mountains of northern Lebanon, a museum dedicated to Khalil Gibran in his hometown of Bsharre has been celebrating the centennial of "The Prophet", the renowned author's most famous work
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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
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Dialogue in the shadow of warMusic unites Israelis and Palestinians in Berlin
At the Barenboim-Said Academy in the German capital, young Israeli and Arab musicians study together. The Hamas attacks on Israel happened just before the start of a new semester. What has been their reaction?
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Aga Khan Master Musicians' "Nowruz"Sunshine, peace and the smell of home
While intent is always important, it is no guarantee of artistic merit. "Nowruz", the Aga Khan Master Musicians' debut album, is an example of both in perfect synthesis. Richard Marcus had a listen
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Adania Shibli, the Frankfurt Book Fair and the LiBeraturpreisLitprom under fire
Palestinian author Adania Shibli was to have received Litprom's LiBeraturpreis at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Writers from around the world have criticised the organisation in an open letter for postponing the award ceremony. By Nikolas Fischer
Photo Essays on Qantara.de
Qantara.de: Building bridges to the Islamic world
Building Bridges Across Religions
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
Most read articles
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Gülen-Bewegung in der Türkei
Islamisch-moralische Führung: ein uneingelöstes Versprechen
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Science Fiction aus der Türkei
Ein Fünkchen Realität in der literarischen Dystopie
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Interview mit Abdallah Abu Rahma
Kreativer Widerstand gegen Stacheldraht und Mauern
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Film "Boy from Heaven“
Kairo Komplott: Intrigen an der Al-Azhar
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Interview mit dem irakischen Politologen Ghassan Al-Attiyah
Zerrissene Nation
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Bert Flint – ein Holländer in Marrakesch
Ein unermüdlicher Sammler afrikanischer Kultur