The Middle East’s fearless protesters

The upheavals of the past year in the MENA region are arguably as momentous as those of the Arab Spring in 2011. Yet perhaps the biggest difference is that our interest seems to have evaporated. Why? Essay by Jannis Hagmann Qantara Read more → / auf Deutsch weiterlesen → / اقرأ بالعربي

Launch of Alchemiya: A dose of positivity in dark times

A new media start-up seeks to counter the warped portrayal of Islam. The digital television channel Alchemiya intends to showcase only positive content. Sounds a bit cheesy? Perhaps it is, says Jannis Hagmann, but it just might be a smart business idea and one that will catch on. Qantara Read more →

„Alchemiya“ founder: „Many stories don’t get told“

Media tends to focus on bad news, especially when it comes to the Muslim world. But a new media startup sets out to change this. „Alchemiya“ founder Navid Akhtar spoke with Jannis Hagmann. DW’s „onMedia“ Read more →

Rage and resignation in war-torn Syria

Larissa Bender’s „Innenansichten aus Syrien“ (Inside Views from Syria) is a compilation of very personal accounts written by Syrian authors. It provides a subjective but precious insight into a life that outsiders can hardly imagine. Qantara Read more →

„You’re allowed to be a Salafist in Germany“

Hundreds of people from Germany have gone to Syria to join the jihad. Benno Köpfer of the German domestic intelligence service explains what radicalises young people, why not all Salafists agree with the ISIS caliphate and why he drinks the occasional tea with some of them. (Foto: Jonathan Rashad) Qantara Read more → / auf

„Western journalists tend to treat locals as assistants“

Seasoned reporter Lara Setrakian quit a coverted job as a Middle East correspondent to co-found the online news site, Syria Deeply. The portal is dedicated to a single topic – the conflict in Syria – and has an innovative approach to news gathering. It serves as a landing page for pertinent news on the conflict,

Carol Mansour’s „Not Who We Are“: Lost Time in Lebanon

The stigma of being refugees, the lack of privacy and an uncertain future – these are just some of the problems that Syrian women face in Lebanon. The renowned filmmaker Carol Mansour tells their stories in her touching documentary „Not Who We Are“. (Foto: Forward Film Production) Qantara Read more→/Weiterlesen→

„The Media are PR Machines of the Military“

EGYPT After being dismissed from the newspaper Egypt Independent, editor-in-chief Lina Attalah founded the alternative news website Mada Masr. Egyptian media are in „a very precarious condition“, she says – and calls for a new kind of critical journalism. (Photo: Thomas Leuthard/Creative Commons)     Qantara Read More / Weiterlesen →

Interview with Egyptian Novelist Alaa al-Aswani: „Mubarak’s Regime Remains Intact“

According to Egypt’s renowned novelist Alaa al-Aswani, the Muslim Brothers‘ rule was a lesson for the country. „The idea of political Islam is now falling apart,“ al-Aswani asserts in this interview with Jannis Hagmann. But now, he warns, Mubarak’s regime may try to take power again. published: Qantara Read more →

Interview with Syrian web activist Monis Bukhari: „Never save any data on your own hard drive“

Monis, you are a Syrian online activist. Tech-savvy as you are, you know how to protect yourself. Why did you still have to leave your country? There was a spy in my activist group. I had reported some information to the Los Angeles Times and sent them photos and video footage about what happened in

Palmyra im Kopf

LIBANON Sie wurden verschleppt und gefoltert. Nun stehen sie mit einer Live-Performance auf der Bühne: In „Der Deutsche Stuhl“ spielen ehemalige Häftlinge aus dem libanesischen Bürgerkrieg den grausamen Alltag in syrischen Gefängnissen nach. erschienen: Qantara Weiterlesen → / Read in English →

Mitten in der Erwachsenenwelt

SAUDI-ARABIEN „Wadjda“ ist der erste saudische Spielfilm, bei dem eine Frau Regie führte. Trotz Unterstützung aus der Königsfamilie konnte das saudisch-deutsche Filmteam nur unter schwierigen Bedingungen filmen. Doch herausgekommen ist eine rührende Geschichte – und eine differenzierte Kritik an der saudischen Gesellschaft. erschienen in Qantara Weiterlesen » / Read in English »

Samarra, Centre of the World

MUSEUM With his excavations in Samarra, the German archaeologist Ernst Herzfeld founded „Islamic Archaeology“. On the 101st anniversary of his excavations in the city, which is situated in modern-day Iraq, a special exhibition marking his work has opened its doors in Berlin. By Jannis Hagmann published: Qantara Read more » / Weiterlesen »

Der dritte Weg zur Revolution

HIP-HOP Der Sampler „Khat Thaleth“ bringt unbequeme Künstler und Musiker von Syrien bis Tunesien zusammen. Sie rappen über die Revolution, haben aber nicht immer nur Sympathie für die Aufständischen und die neuen Regierungen in ihren Ländern. Von Jannis Hagmann erschienen in: Qantara Weiterlesen » / Read in English » / عربي

Muslim Superman

COMIC In der TV-Serie „Die 99“ kämpfen islamische Helden gegen das Übel auf der Welt. Westliche Kritiker warnen vor religiöser Propaganda – zu Unrecht.  Von Jannis Hagmann erschienen in: Qantara Weiterlesen » /Read in English → / عربي →