AIWG International Conference in Berlin, October 2019/ Picture: Julius Matuschik

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The AIWG International Programme brings together academic and fieldwork experts from Germany, Europe and North America to discuss the development of religion, social life and the commitment of Muslims in European and North American societies. More specifically, we explore theological approaches as well as sociological issues and case studies, thereby assembling academic and practical knowledge by bringing different experts together to address key issues. The Federal Foreign Office supports the main activities of the International Programme of the AIWG.

Our aim is to stimulate sustainable solutions to current questions connected with Muslim life and religion in Germany, the European and broader context by connecting knowledge and expertise from both inside and outside the universities in an interdisciplinary manner.

Therefore the International Programme rests on three main pillars:

  • First, geographically, we focus in particular on the European and North American context.
  • Second, we deal with issues of Islam and Muslim life in secular states with Muslim minorities and
  • Third, we bring together the expertise and experiences within and outside universities from different sectors of society, Muslim communities and public institutions.

 

Contact person

Dr Raida Chbib

Mail: chbib[at]aiwg.de

Tel.: +49 (0) 69-798 22458

Current Activities
  • The AIWG has published a conference report entitled „Being Muslim in Europe – Orienting oneself in the context of “good” and “bad” diversity“. The AIWG, in collaboration with the Swiss Centre for Islam and Society (SZIG) at the University of Fribourg, organised a conference on the same topic on 17 and 18 November 2023. The conference report can be downloaded here on the Website of the AIWG.
  • Join the Academy for Islam in Research and Society (AIWG) on June 11, 2024, at 4:00 PM for a live talk on the plurality of God’s perception in Islamic intellectual history of Islam. At the heart of the discussion is the volume “The Attributes of God in Islamic Thought. Contemplating Allah”, edited by AIWG’s former research-fellow, Dr Mansooreh Khalilizand (University of Freiburg).

 

We are currently preparing further activities within our International programme and will inform you as soon as possible.

An important part of the AIWG International Programme, are the periodically organised International Conferences. Under the guiding topic „An international view on
Islam in Research and Society“, the AIWG realises international conferences bringing
together German and international researchers and field experts to discuss issues concerning Muslim societies in Europe, Canada and the US.

International Conferences

“Approaches to Cooperation between the State and Muslim Communities: Training of Muslim Religious Professionals in Europe“ – AIWG International Conference in Berlin, June 2021 

The Academy for Islam in Research and Society at the Goethe-University in Frankfurt has successfully concluded its international conference on the issue of cooperation between Muslim communities and the State in Berlin on 24th and 25th June. With a special focus on the issue of “Training of Muslim Religious Professionals in Europe“, the AIWG continued the discussion from its recent workshop in December in Frankfurt with approximately 50 experts from 14 European countries. The AIWG published the  conference report. Read more about the conference in our report.

“Building bridges between State and Muslim communities: domestic training of Muslim religious professionals in Europe and North America as a common issue“ – AIWG International Hybrid Workshop in Frankfurt, December 2020

The AIWG hosted an international hybrid workshop on 7th December 2020 in Frankfurt, as part of its International Programme. Under the title “Building bridges between State and Muslim communities: domestic training of Muslim religious professionals in Europe and North America as a common issue“, experts discussed the respective issues online as well as in person. The AIWG published the bilingual workshop report. Read more about the workshop in our report.

“Muslim Chaplaincy – A Resource for Social Welfare?” – AIWG International Conference in Frankfurt, January 2019

From 22 – 24 January 2019, 33 specialists from eleven nations came together in Frankfurt (Ger- many) to attend the conference “Muslim Chaplaincy. A resource for social welfare?” As the starting point for a conference series titled ‘International view on Islam in research and society’ the conference provided a three-days platform to explore the topic of ‘Muslim chaplaincy’ from different angles. Theological approaches as well as sociological issues and case examples were discussed by assembling academic and practical knowledge. Read more about the first conference in our report.

„From CopyPaste to Domestic Training? Muslim Religious Leadership in Europe and North America“– AIWG International Conference in Berlin, October 2019

The AIWG hosted its second international conference in October 2019 on Muslim Religious Leadership in Europe and North America with experts from Germany and other European Countries as well as from the USA in Berlin. Various experts from state agencies, universities, faith communities and civil society from 14 different countries came together to exchange their thoughts and perspectives on the different possibilities for training religious personnel. A variety of challenges were discussed in the panels, including women in religious leadership positions, funding to ensure appropriate training courses and salaries for skilled religious personnel.  The international conference provided experts from state institutions, university, religious communities and civil society from 14 different countries the opportunity to exchange views on questions concerning imam training and other issues concerning Muslim religious leadership. Read more about the second conference in the full conference report.

International Publications

Approaches to Cooperation between the State and Muslim Communities: Training of Muslim Religious Professionals in Europe

Building bridges between State and Muslim communities: domestic training of Muslim religious professionals in Europe and North America as a common issue

Education and Training of Muslim Religious Professionals in Europe and North America

Muslim chaplaincy in Europe and North America

From CopyPaste to Domestic Training? Muslim Religious Leadership in Europe and North America