AhlulBayt News Agency

source : IBNA
Thursday

18 April 2013

7:30:00 PM
410826

Mentioned during a session

Islamic studies hold a glorious heritage in Germany

The library of Iranian parliament held a session on studying and researching Islamology in contemporary Germany on Tuesday which was attended by a group of the library’s officials and German scholars.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - During the session, German Islamologist Albrecht Hofheinz said: “Germany differs with the U.S., U.K, and other English language countries in terms of Islamic studies; its difference exists in studying the Islamic texts, their interpretation and language.”

Since the 20th century, the mentioned countries have mostly concentrated on studying and researching social sciences. However during the past 30 years, considering the latest developments in the world of Islam including Iran’s developments due to the Islamic Revolution, the number of German scholars interested in studying societies and sociology also increased and they learned the methods from the British, he added.

Now the main challenge is preserving Islamology according to texts, popular in Germany, against new trends, he noted.

Furthermore Günter, a German scholar and Arabic translator talked about Islamic studies researches in contemporary Germany saying: “Learning the translation of Arabic language, I somehow entered the world of Islam. It seems that the world of Islam and Europe have more agreements in terms of writers rather than politicians.”

I have tried to compare the literature of German with the Islamic world in different sessions and literary meetings, and I have indeed been very successful in the field while I also love to learn about Persian literature, the scholar added.

In other news, the representative of Islamic Theology in Germany Elhakam Sukhni said: “In Germany, religions should be legally recognized to become official. Nowadays only Judaism and Christianity are official in Germany.”

The recognition holds advantages for the religions. In order to develop theology in Germany, Islam should become official in it, the expert added.

Moreover Günter also had been asked that “In German universities, does the Arabic literature concentrate more on classic religious texts or modern Arabic literature?” he said that it depends on the university we are talking about.

Most of the students of Islamic studies study within the framework of texts which are based on Islam but starting the studies is equal to become interested in Arabic. Islamic sciences are useful in translation and effective in modern literature developments.

Elhakam Sukhni was then asked about the recognition of religions which was replied so: “The issue is based on political and historical issues. One of the reasons can refer to the lack of a single representative.”

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