Middle East
All countries-
Reform Islam
Transcending the secular-sacred divide
Sherman Jackson's "The Islamic Secular" makes a compelling case for an alternative understanding of 'secular', which is neither outside religion nor a rival to it
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Get out of Gaza
Exploiting the Palestinians
In view of the catastrophic situation in Gaza, Palestinians all over the world are trying to get relatives out of the sealed-off enclave. Unscrupulous Egyptian businessmen are cashing in on people's desperation. Qantara.de reports from Cairo
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“From the river to the sea”
How to interpret a slogan
The notion that the slogan is sweepingly anti-Semitic falls short of the mark. But extremist interpretations need to be condemned – on both the Israeli and the Palestinian side
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Israel after the Hamas attacks of 7 October
The echo of the Holocaust
Many Israelis feel reminded of the Holocaust by the events of 7 October 2023. Others reject such comparisons. The government's stance is ambivalent. A report from Tel Aviv
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Middle East debate in Germany
The bell of Gaza
With its fossilised premise of "raison d'etat" Germany is damaging itself. It is time for change – for constructive partnership in a concerted effort to overcome the Israeli-Palestinian catastrophe
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Najat Abed Alsamad's "Kein Wasser stillt ihren Durst"
Searching for life
Najat Abed Alsamad's award-winning novel, "La Ma'a Yarwiha", has been published in German translation as "Kein Wasser stillt ihren Durst" (No water quenches her thirst). In it, she tells the story of a young Druze woman who roundly rejects the traditional rules imposed on her by her parents and relatives and begins a long fight for her freedom
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Saudi Arabia
Women drive the Kingdom's thriving startup scene
A flourishing entrepreneurial scene is transforming the Saudi business world. Startups contribute to the nation's branding efforts and aim to tackle unemployment, as the Gulf state aims to move away from its dependence on oil
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Middle East conflict
Life in Palestine before the Nakba
"Against Erasure" documents the diversity of life in Palestine before the foundation of the state of Israel in 1948, building a solid foundation for sorely needed, well-grounded discourse on the Middle East
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Middle East conflict
Qatar won't be pressured by the West
Criticism by U.S. politicians of the emirate's role in the Middle East conflict have ruffled feathers in Doha. Rulers now say they'll reassess their mediator role between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas – thereby sending a warning to Washington
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The universal language of music
Music dossier: Tuning in to the unfamiliar
An independent, modern music scene has long since developed in the Islamic world and Europe. Breaking with convention, it is a far cry from belly dance and folklore cliches. In this dossier, we present some of its leading protagonists, genres and events
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Germany and the Netanyahu government
Death zone Gaza: Germany is complicit
For years, Germany has been Israel's second most important supplier of arms. As a result, German weapons have ended up being used in the Gaza war. As evidence piles up of serious legal violations by Israel, the question of whether the German government is complicit in this catastrophic situation must be asked
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Medical tourism trend
Turkey's plastic surgery boom
Ever more people are visiting Turkey from abroad for nose jobs, hair transplants and similar procedures. Prices are low, but what are the risks?