Mualla Selçuk – författare

Religious educators today are called upon to enable young people to develop as fully-rounded human beings in a multicultural and multifaith world. It is no longer sufficient to teach about the history of religions: religion is not relegated to the past. It is no longer sufficient to teach about the observable outward phenomena of religions: religion is not restricted to practices, artefacts, and buildings observable in the outside world. It is also necessary to take seriously what religions believe about themselves, and what religions believe about other religions.Seen from the inside, religions deal in the currency of truth. For the religions themselves, truth matters. Truth-claims can lead to harmony and peace, but they may also engender discord and violence. What ultimately counts is how one set of truth-claims confronts or embraces the truths claimed by other, different voices. Therefore those who teach religion cannot avoid dealing with the theology of religions.In this collection of original essays, religious educators shaped by both Christian and Islamic worldviews discuss the problems and opportunities that now face educators and believers alike, as they are confronted by the challenge of teaching religion and teaching truth. The discussion nurtured at the sixteenth conference of the International Seminar on Religious Education and Values is here developed further, to stimulate wider reflection and shape good local practice.

The debate on "Islamic feminism" and "gender jihad" is becoming increasingly relevant and growing in intensity in Europe, and especially in recent years in the German-speaking region. Within the context of Western feminism and Western feminist theology, intercultural and/or inter-religious dialogue is growing in importance, above all in the process of political decision-making. The articles in this book provide a comprehensive insight into this discourse focussing on the following main topics: Female Koranic exegesis andtextual hermeneutics - Islamic feminism and the discussion of social and political action strategies - Women''s rights as human rights and the situation of Muslim women with and without a migrant background - Forms, tasks, and problem/conflict zones of intercultural and/or inter-religious dialogue.

The debate on "Islamic feminism" and "gender jihad" is becoming increasingly relevant and growing in intensity in Europe, and especially in recent years in the German-speaking region. Within the context of Western feminism and Western feminist theology, intercultural and/or inter-religious dialogue is growing in importance, above all in the process of political decision-making. The articles in this book provide a comprehensive insight into this discourse focussing on the following main topics: Female Koranic exegesis andtextual hermeneutics - Islamic feminism and the discussion of social and political action strategies - Women''s rights as human rights and the situation of Muslim women with and without a migrant background - Forms, tasks, and problem/conflict zones of intercultural and/or inter-religious dialogue.

The link between the individual and the state or religious community on the other hand, does not occur without tension. The Christian understanding of God is a result of the opinion of understanding man as a person, who turns to good account not because they are forced, but of own conviction and free will. The resulting conscientious and religious freedom resulting thereof was, however, disputed by Christianity for a long time.A Muslim is responsible to constructively contribute towards the societal and political structures in their community. The Koran not only reprimands obedience towards God, but also urges believers to maintain societal order, as well as to constructively contribute towards political and societal structures.A Muslim has a responsibility to help shape the constructive social and political structures of its surroundings. The Koran exhorts not only to obedience to God, but puts the faithful close also to maintain the social order and help shape political and social structures constructively .

The link between the individual and the state or religious community on the other hand, does not occur without tension. The Christian understanding of God is a result of the opinion of understanding man as a person, who turns to good account not because they are forced, but of own conviction and free will. The resulting conscientious and religious freedom resulting thereof was, however, disputed by Christianity for a long time.A Muslim is responsible to constructively contribute towards the societal and political structures in their community. The Koran not only reprimands obedience towards God, but also urges believers to maintain societal order, as well as to constructively contribute towards political and societal structures.A Muslim has a responsibility to help shape the constructive social and political structures of its surroundings. The Koran exhorts not only to obedience to God, but puts the faithful close also to maintain the social order and help shape political and social structures constructively .

Das Spannungsfeld "Glaube und Vernunft" ist eine Kernfrage sowohl christlicher als auch muslimischer Theologie. Bereits in den Offenbarungsschriften selbst wird ansatzweise die Frage diskutiert, inwieweit die Vernunft eine eigenständige Quelle der Gotteserkenntnis und eine kritische Instanz für die Prüfung der Glaubenswahrheiten ist. Beide Weltreligionen rezipieren von ihren Anfängen Werke und Gedanken der griechischen Philosophie. Umstritten bleibt die Reichweite der Vernunft in Glaubensfragen, besonders bei Themen wie Freiheit und Gehorsam, Allmacht Gottes und Wahrheitsansprüche anderer Religionen. In den gegenwärtigen, weltanschaulich pluralen Diskursen sowie im interreligiösen Gespräch eröffnet die Annahme der Vernünftigkeit der Offenbarung eine grundlegende Möglichkeit zur Verständigung.Die Beiträge zu diesem Band sind sowohl in deutscher als auch in türkischer Sprache wiedergegeben. Vorangestellte Abstracts erleichtern einen raschen Zugang. Resümees aus christlicher bzw. islamischer Sicht sind in deutscher, türkischer und englischer Sprache beigegeben. Der Band wird durch ein deutsches und ein türkisches Namens- und Sachregister erschlossen.

Christliche und muslimische Theologen erarbeiten gemeinsam, ausgehend jeweils vom Standpunkt ihrer eigenen Religion, worin der Beitrag der Glaubenstraditionen für das geschichtlich gewordene Verständnis und die zukünftige Entwicklung von Mensch-Sein besteht. Die Grundidee ist, am Leitfaden menschlicher Existenz die Theologie der jeweiligen Religionen zu entfalten und stets darauf zurückzubeziehen. Als Ausgangspunkt dafür dient die verbindende Überzeugung, dass der Glaube die Offenbarung Gottes für den Menschen ist. Im Blick auf diesen gemeinsamen Bezugspunkt lassen sich Gemeinsamkeiten, aber auch Unterschiede gut erkennen, was die Bedingung für Verständnis und Respekt zwischen den Religionen ist.Alle Texte sind sowohl auf Deutsch als auch auf Türkisch im Band enthalten.

This book is a journey into the heart of an Islamic worldview.  It asks challenging questions of far-reaching consequence, addressing matters such as the Qur’an and revelation; rituals and symbols embraced; nature of God, of humans, and of our knowing; dignity of the human, sacredness of life, and more. It precludes easy, prescribed answers, preferring instead thoughtful reflection on two basic questions: What does it mean to love God? What does it mean to be a good person? Carefully crafted responses are presented by a group of scholars from Qur’an Studies, Worldview Studies, Women’s Studies, Cultural Studies and Religious Education.  It uncovers a dynamic understanding of Islam; one that meets challenges of the present, counters harsh criticisms, and breathes new life into a rich and longstanding tradition that continues to impact the lives of billions of people around the world.