Islam and the West
All topics-
America and the War on Terror
Guantanamo's "forever prisoners"
The notorious U.S. prison camp is 20 years old. Over the years, several plans to close it have been rejected. For the detainees, little has changed in the last two decades. Oliver Sallet reports from Guantanamo Bay
-
Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis
End the economic blockade
As the Western world emerges from a holiday season made less festive by COVID-19, millions of children in Afghanistan are starting 2022 facing the prospect of famine, illness, and a lost education. Yet the same governments now rushing to apply humanitarian bandages to Afghanistan’s open wounds are steadfastly refusing to switch on the economic life-support systems needed to avert catastrophe. By Kevin Watkins
-
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
-
France and terrorism
No time to heal
The many terrorist attacks France has faced over the last ten years have poisoned the political discourse, especially when it comes to migration. Since 2012 a relentless stream of attacks has given public confidence little chance to recover. So how is this affecting the presidential campaign? Nadia Pantel reports
-
Podcast series on the Middle East
Berlin Mideast Podcast
Monthly German-language podcast series Berlin Mideast Podcast looks at the current situation and trends in the Middle East.
-
Interview with Islamic reformer Mustafa Akyol
"Islam needs its own enlightenment"
Turkish author and journalist Mustafa Akyol is one of the foremost pioneers of an Islam reconciled with modernity. Musa Bagrac spoke with Akyol for Qantara.de about his new book "Reopening Muslim Minds: A Return to Reason, Freedom, and Tolerance" and the chances for Islamic reform
-
Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis
Can the Taliban avert a food crisis without foreign aid?
In view of the catastrophic supply situation in Afghanistan, UN authorities are sounding the alarm. Inflation and growing poverty are exacerbating the situation. The Taliban reportedly have an emergency programme to combat the crisis. By Shabnam von Hein
-
Sixty years after the Paris Massacre
When will France apologise to the Algerians?
Shot, beaten to death or drowned: a demonstration by tens of thousands of Algerians ended in the "Paris Massacre" on 17 October 1961. Sixty years on, historians and victims' associations are calling for a sign from President Macron. By Andreas Noll
-
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
-
Interview with Iranian-German author Siba Shakib
"The notion of home is bound up with loss"
Iranian-German author and filmmaker Siba Shakib was born in Tehran. Her best-selling novels deal with themes of heritage and the past. She speaks to Qantara.de about her new novel "Der Kirschbaum, den sie ihrer Mutter nie schenkte" (The Cherry Tree She Never Gave Her Mother), home, religion and the identity politics debate. Interview conducted by Schayan Riaz
-
Religions for Peace conference in Lindau
Fighting hate speech, climate change and COVID-19 together
Religions are often a source of conflict. But the worldwide Religions for Peace movement seeks to change that by galvanising interreligious dialogue. Delegates from 90 countries are meeting this week in Germany. The involvement and commitment of young women at this year's conference is striking. By Christoph Strack
-
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