Ednan Aslan – författare

Throughout history, religious communities have left an indelible mark on society''s spiritual life, moral compass, and economic landscape. To fulfill their divine mission, these communities need resources to carry out their religious and God-centered activities. Economic engagement has always been and remains an integral part of their worship.

In an increasingly globalized world, where the professional marketing of religion is on the rise, these communities face growing pressure to present their beliefs and values in a polished, professional manner. This is critical to maintaining or even expanding their influence in a global world.

As a result, religious communities today often operate like businesses, engaging in diverse sectors of the economy ranging from pilgrimages and the halal market to the fashion industry.

This book explores the complex relationship between business and religion. It provides a historical overview, examines contemporary examples, and offers a nuanced analysis of the risks and opportunities involved. It also explores the theological implications of doing business in the name of God.

Religious and ethnic diversity have become crucial and pressing concerns in Europe: in particular, the presence of Muslims, their integration, citizenship, and how to deal with the influx of refugees. Can we draw on the resources of religions and their leaders for models of peaceful coexistence or do religious identities constitute obstacles to cooperation and unity?

This volume treats “Islam, Religions, and Pluralism in Europe” based on a 2014 conference in Montenegro. Experts analyze Islam and Muslim issues as well as Christian perspectives and state social policies. Case studies drawn from Western and Eastern Europe including the Balkans, constructively review and interrogate diverse theological, philosophical, pedagogical, legal, and political models and strategies that deal with pluralism.

Um angemessen auf die Herausforderungen einer pluralen Gesellschaft reagieren zu können, bieten die Autoren eine wissenschaftlich fundierte Grundlage für eine sachliche Debatte zur Präsenz der Muslime in Europa und für praktische Handlungsempfehlungen. Denn gerade die muslimische Diversität als Ausgangspunkt herzunehmen, eröffnet vielfältige Chancen und Potentiale für die differenzierte Beurteilung von Integrationsprozessen, für die (Weiter-)Entwicklung migrationspolitischer Maßnahmen, für die Verbesserung religionspädagogischer Angebote sowie für Bemühungen, die islamische Theologie im aktuellen westeuropäischen Kontext neu zu denken.

Although it is rarely given sufficient consideration in either scholarly or political debates, early childhood education plays a crucial role in the integration process of young immigrants in European countries, since it not only enables the children to be integrated into society, both linguistically and culturally, but it also provides their parents with the opportunity, through their children, to view the society more directly and to reflect on their own values in the encounter, or to potentially seek new orientations. The quality of young migrants’ educational achievements, which have repeatedly caused current political debates in European countries, should not be considered independently of the elementary education measures since they are very closely related.

Prof. Dr. Ednan Aslan is Chair of Islamic Religious Education at the Institute for Islamic Theological Studies at the University of Vienna.

This volume features chapters by international experts in education, sociology, and theology who consider a range of challenges faced by educators in primary and secondary schools that are becoming increasingly diverse in terms of the ethnic and religious backgrounds of pupils. From the non-religious, to the refugee, to student fundamentalism and even radicalization­—these multiple, fresh approaches analyze the dynamics of the changing pedagogical landscape in an age of ever increasing globalization and cultural plurality. Today’s classrooms are often the most crucial spaces where children and adolescents encounter new cultural, religious, and other worldviews. Increasingly, teachers are called on to empower their pupils with the tools and competencies necessary to reflect on and process this plurality in ways that are productive for their intellectual growth and moral maturation.

            Regional case studies provide extensive data while offering insights into developments in school settings across Europe, in Turkey, and in the United States. In addition, a number of the contributions address the delivery, content, and policies of Islamic Religious Education in European contexts, the educational strategies employed in multi-religious societies, and interreligious dialogue in schools, whether intentional or spontaneous.