The book presents a groundbreaking analysis of Islamic theological perspectives on religious freedom and apostasy, drawing from original texts in Arabic, English, French, and Urdu. It offers translated reviews of these voices, providing insights into the diverse views within Islamic thought on these critical issues. This scholarly work aims to enhance understanding and accessibility of these important discussions in contemporary religious discourse.
Exploring the intricate relationship between Islam and democracy, this book delves into the reasons behind the scarcity of democracies in Islamic-dominated states. It questions whether the challenges stem from a fundamental incompatibility between Islamic principles and democratic governance. Through critical analysis, the author examines historical, cultural, and political factors that influence the democratic landscape in these regions, offering insights into the complexities of faith and governance.
Exploring the evolution of political Islam, the book highlights its distinction from Jihadism, emphasizing that most Islamic movements have embraced non-violence in their quest for political influence. Christine Schirrmacher presents a detailed analysis of this global phenomenon, tracing its origins and objectives, and showcasing the strategic lobbying efforts of its representatives in Europe. The work also delves into the Muslim Brotherhood, the pioneering force of political Islam, illustrating its significance as a highly interconnected and effective movement in contemporary society.
256: Apostasy from Islam as Judged by Contemporary Islamic Theologians: Discourses on Apostasy, Religi
The book presents a pioneering analysis of Islamic theological perspectives on religious freedom and apostasy, featuring translations of original texts in Arabic, English, French, and Urdu. It compiles reviews from diverse voices within Islamic thought, making these insights accessible for the first time. Through this scholarly work, readers can explore the nuanced discussions surrounding these critical topics in Islam.
In Christine Schirrmacher’s postdoctoral thesis, for the first time one finds reviews of original voices coming from Islamic theology on the topic of religious freedom and apostasy. Arabic, English, French, and Urdu texts have been translated and analyzed and thus made accessible. There are basically three positions which are defended on falling away from the Islamic faith: Complete advocacy of religious freedom, the complete denial of religious freedom with a call for the immediate application of the death penalty for apostates, and the centrist position. The centrist position, however, which allows inner freedom of thought and warns against premature persecution, calls for the death penalty in the case of open apostasy (e. g., in the case of conversion to another faith). Within established Islamic theology, the latter approach is nowadays the most frequent point of view found. These three main positions on apostasy are introduced in this postdoctoral thesis by means of the publications of three influential 20th century theologians: Yusuf al-Qaradawi (b. 1926), Abdullah Saeed (b. 1960), and Abu l-A‘la Maududi (1903-1979). They all have followings of many millions of people and have political influence at their disposal. The study explains why in many Muslim majority countries there is still today only very limited or sometimes no freedom of religion (in the sense of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948) for converts, critical intellectuals, artists and progressive Quranic studies specialists, journalists and secularists, agnostics and confessing atheists, enlightened thinkers, women’s rights and human rights activists as well as adherents of non-recognized minorities.
Englische Übersetzung des Buches „Die Scharia – eine kurze Einführung in das islamische Recht“ What is Sharia law? Centuries ago the West might have been indifferent to the question of how the Islamic legal system operates. But in our time of globalization we can no longer afford to ignore the legal approach that is perceived as valid in Muslim majority countries and is important to as many as one billion Muslims. The Sharia encompasses comprehensive legal guidelines for all areas of life that are justified by Islam. This means the entirety of the commands of Allah, as they were laid down in the Koran and Islamic tradition and then interpreted by leading theologians. “The Sharia – Law and Order in Islam” also explains the practical consequences for the life of minorities, converts, and women.
This volume of edited articles presents the scholarly results of a German-Arab partnership project, funded for a two-year period by the German Academic Exchange Service (2013–2014). The idea was to establish a working relationship between the Higher Institute for Arts Criticism at the Academy of Arts in Egypt (later: the Centre for Civilization Studies and Dialogue of Cultures at Cairo University) and the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Bonn University. The scientific focus was on the dynamics of dissidence and censorship in Egypt from the Nahda to the Arab Spring. Under the leadership of Dr. Haggag Ali (Cairo) and Prof. Dr. Stephan Conermann (and later Prof. Dr. Christine Schirrmacher as well) (Bonn), an interdisciplinary group of young researchers was established. These scholars presented and discussed individual projects and relevant topics during three productive and successful workshops. It was these workshops that eventually led to this joint publication.
Essays: The Challenge of Muslim Immigration to Europe The Challenge of Islam: Are we Equipped? Is Multi(Culti) at an End? Islam – Religion of Peace? How Muslims view Christians What is a Fatwa? Islamic “Mission” (Da’wa) Apostasy and Sharia The Significance of Islamic Tradition Women in Islam “Islam” is not just “Islam” Suicide, Martyrdom and Jihad Honor Killings and Ideas of Honor Christine Schirrmacher, born 1962 (MA in Islamic Studies 1988, Dr. phil. Islamic Studies 1991) has studied Arabic, Persian and Turkish and is presently Professor of Islamic Studies at the Department “Religious Studies and Missiology“ of the “Evangelisch-Theologische Faculteit” (Protestant University) in Leuven/Belgium. She is director of the “Institut für Islamfragen“ (Institute of Islamic Studies) of the German Evangelical Alliance as well as an official speaker and advisor on Islam for the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). She lectures on Islam and security issues to authorities, is author of several books on Islam, sharia and family issues in Islam, has visited many countries of the Muslim world and is engaged in current dialogue initiatives, like the conference “Loving God and Neighbour in Word and Deed: Implications for Muslims and Christians” of the Yale Centre for Faith and Culture, Yale University, New Haven/Connecticut, in July 2008.
Political Islam or Islamism – in contrast to Jihadism or terrorism – does not necessarily first and foremost have anything to do with violence. On the contrary, the large majority in the Islamic movement turned away from the use of violence long ago and is instead attempting to peacefully exert political and societal influence. Representatives of political Islam are well-trained political strategists who, in suits and ties and via organized Islam and Islamic organizations conduct resolute lobbying activities in Europe in order to promote the implementation of Islamic society. Christine Schirrmacher provides a sophisticated overview of the genesis of this global movement, its view of the world, and its goals, and she demonstrates that it is essentially a product of the twentieth century. The reader will additionally gain insight into the Muslim Brotherhood, the first institutionalized form of political Islam. At present it is the most interconnected and successful movement in the world.
Essays: The Koran and the Bible Compared Allah – God of Love? The Fall of Man and the Redemption of Mankind The Meaning of Sin in the Koran and the Bible Repentance and Forgiveness in Islam Abraham in the Koran Jesus Christ in the Koran The Crucifixion of Jesus The Koran on the Trinity Apostasy in Islam and others Christine Schirrmacher, born 1962 (MA in Islamic Studies 1988, Dr. phil. Islamic Studies 1991) has studied Arabic, Persian and Turkish and is presently Professor of Islamic Studies at the Department “Religious Studies and Missiology“ of the “Evangelisch-Theologische Faculteit” (Protestant University) in Leuven/Belgium. She is director of the “Institut für Islamfragen“ (Institute of Islamic Studies) of the German Evangelical Alliance as well as an official speaker and advisor on Islam for the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). She lectures on Islam and security issues to authorities, is author of several books on Islam, sharia and family issues in Islam, has visited many countries of the Muslim world and is engaged in current dialogue initiatives, like the conference “Loving God and Neighbour in Word and Deed: Implications for Muslims and Christians” of the Yale Centre for Faith and Culture, Yale University, New Haven/Connecticut, in July 2008.
