Abstract
This paper examines how the academic study of Islam and Muslims is in a dynamic and dialectical relationship with society. Global discourses as well as the inflection of the political and social debates concerning the integration of Muslims in Germany has resulted in the Islam and Muslims becoming highly desirable objects of research across disciplines in recent years. This has led to what I describe as the emergence of the “Islam Research field” over the last two decades. The study of the Islam Research field in Germany, with its entanglements, inflections and inextricable and immediate links to society and public policy provides a compelling case study worthy of dissection. This paper problematises the reasons driving the saliency of research pertaining to Muslims and Islam in contemporary Germany. Such academic knowledge production impinges not only on public policy concerning Muslim religious life but also Muslims’ own self-understanding. Drawing on ethnographic material, this paper sheds light on the Muslimisation process that Muslims are confronted with as well as the inner-Muslim discourses that are emerging in the academic knowledge production on Islam in Germany.
Presenters
Farah HasanDoctoral Researcher, Theology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Islam, Politics of Islam, Knowledge Production, Discourse Analysis
