Lessen over de islam vormen een vanzelfsprekend onderdeel van het vakcurriculum godsdienst/levensbeschouwing. Bij die lessen komen vragen om de hoek kijken die extra aandacht behoeven, omdat ... Show moreLessen over de islam vormen een vanzelfsprekend onderdeel van het vakcurriculum godsdienst/levensbeschouwing. Bij die lessen komen vragen om de hoek kijken die extra aandacht behoeven, omdat (kritisch leren) denken en praten over de islam in de klas niet vanzelfsprekend is in het huidige maatschappelijke en politieke klimaat. Dit brengt specifieke didactische en inhoudelijke vragen met zich mee, waar deze bijdrage in de serie 'Religiekunde in de lespraktijk' op ingaat. Show less
Imams serving in the Netherlands are confronted with diverse expectations. While practising Muslims first of all turn to imams for advice in religious matters, the government expects imams to show... Show moreImams serving in the Netherlands are confronted with diverse expectations. While practising Muslims first of all turn to imams for advice in religious matters, the government expects imams to show believers how to be a good Dutch citizen. But although many Muslims hold their imams in great esteem, the influence of the imam should not be overestimated. Young people in particular are looking in other directions for religious guidance. Show less
In public debate and academic discussions about Islam in Western society, reference is often made to the role of the imam in processes of acculturation of Muslims. Throughout these debates, we come... Show moreIn public debate and academic discussions about Islam in Western society, reference is often made to the role of the imam in processes of acculturation of Muslims. Throughout these debates, we come across the important question of how imams transmit Islamic norms and values to Muslims living in secular, non-Islamic societies. This descriptive-exploratory research considers this question specifically looking at the role of the imam in the local mosque in the Netherlands. This dissertation describes and analyses the external perspective of the views circulating in the public debate on imams between 1993 and 2004. The internal perspective has been brought into focus empirically by describing and exploring his role, authority and influence in two mosque-communities and one Islamic student association. The internal perspective further divides into the perspective of the imam and the perspective of a group practising, mostly young and highly educated Muslims who grew up in the Netherlands. The imam finds himself in a field of tension between expectations from the majority society and expectations of the believers. The indicative findings from the internal perspective have been compared with the external views. The outcome of this comparison is used to clarify the ongoing public __imam-debate__. Show less
In recent years, fiqh al-aqalliyat, or Islamic law for Muslim minorities, has incited a great deal of interest among Muslim scholars. The growth of fiqh al-aqalliyat as a topic of debate is a... Show moreIn recent years, fiqh al-aqalliyat, or Islamic law for Muslim minorities, has incited a great deal of interest among Muslim scholars. The growth of fiqh al-aqalliyat as a topic of debate is a recognition of the relevance of Islamic law for a considerable number of Muslims living in non-Muslim countries, in particular in the West. It has revealed the complexities that Muslims face in reconstructing such laws in the context of migration and post-migration. Traditional Islamic law lacks provisions for Muslims living permanently in non-Muslim countries. Fiqh al-aqalliyat is an attempt to fill this gap and to reconstruct an Islamic legal theory to deal with questions of Islamic law for Muslims living under non-Islamic legal systems. Show less
The title of the international congress held in Leiden from 14 to 16 December 2000, 'Religious Freedom and the Neutrality of the State: The Position of Islam in the European Union', can be said to... Show moreThe title of the international congress held in Leiden from 14 to 16 December 2000, 'Religious Freedom and the Neutrality of the State: The Position of Islam in the European Union', can be said to indicate a challenge. Although all member states of the European Union state the principles of religious freedom and non-discrimination in their constitutions, neutrality appears to be a paradoxical concept. A group of 35 scholars from 11 countries of the European Union discussed the recent developments regarding the position of Islam within the current national legislations, political structures and public discourses in the European Union. Show less
