Welcome aboard!“There is No Better Place to Critically Explore Muslim Faith and Its Diverse Expressions Than the University.”Prof. Dr. Ali Ghandour strengthens the Humanities

4 November 2024, by Ghandour /Red.

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Prof. Dr. Ali Ghandour

Every year, the University of Hamburg welcomes numerous new researchers. This series introduces them and their areas of research. This time, it is the Islamic theologian Prof. Dr. Ali Ghandour.

Prof. Dr. Ali Ghandour came to the University of Hamburg from the University of Münster to commence his appointment as a professor of Islamic theology in the Faculty of Humanities in Winter Semester 2024/25.

My research area in 3 sentences:

My research covers 3 broad areas. First of all, I am exploring various aspects of Muslim philosophy, especially metaethics, philosophy of religion, political philosophy, and Sufism, the Muslim mysticism. The second area focuses on religion as practiced in everyday life, particularly its transformation from premodern to modern times. My third focus area is sexuality in Muslim contexts, from a culture-historical as well as from an ethical perspective.

This is how I explain my research to my family:

I examine Muslim faith and its diverse expressions, whether in texts or in practices. On the one hand, I am pursuing abstract questions, for instance: “What makes a deed a good deed?” or “How does the history of Muslim politics influence Muslim beliefs?” On the other hand, I am interested in personal experience, for example in mysticism or lived religion. I am also investigating how faith is shaping various areas of life, for instance through myths.

In Hamburg, the city and the University, I am looking forward to:

First of all, I am very glad to be working at one of Germany’s most renowned universities and look very much forward to an active exchange of thoughts and ideas with colleagues at the University. Exchange is particularly valuable for a young discipline like Islamic theology which will benefit greatly from dialogue.

The University of Hamburg deserves special recognition for its Department of Religions which offers a range of faith communities in research and teaching. This not only fosters interreligious dialogue, it also provides deeper insights into very different traditions which is key to a better understanding of the role of religion in contemporary society.

Last but not least, Hamburg always reminds me of my hometown Casablanca, where I spent the first 18 years of my life. Both cities are port cities and I feel a strong connection with places by the water alive with a special maritime flair thanks to their harbors.

These are my plans at the University of Hamburg (with regard to knowledge exchange, teaching, etc.):

Together with my colleague Prof. Mira Sievers I want to further develop the new Institute of Islamic Theology, including exciting new degree programs and curricula.

My initial research projects at the University of Hamburg address questions of metaethics and Muslim mythologies.

Moreover, I am committed to promoting knowledge transfer between the University and the broader public. I am hence planning a range of formats, such as cooperations with religious communities and institutions in Hamburg. Additionally, I aim to build a digital presence through multimedia and podcasts so that we can reach a wider target audience.

This is why students should attend my courses:

My courses have particularly exciting topics, as they cover areas that are often neglected in Muslim communities, such as questions of political philosophy, metaethics, and everyday religion. These topics are not relevant in theological respect, but also touch upon social and personal questions that are significant to reach an understanding of one’s own religious identity.

I also draw on elements from everyday life and pop culture in my courses, ranging from films, TV shows, anime, or video games. These serve as examples of philosophical and theological discussions or as a means to illustrate certain aspects of the topics covered. By bridging abstract theories and day-to-day experience, I can create a creative and entertaining learning atmosphere. My courses combine facts with fun.

Reaching out to the world: I work with the following international and federal institutions and universities:

I collaborate closely with colleagues from Utrecht University and the University of Leipzig on questions of lived religion. In philosophy, I cooperate with fellow researchers at the Universities of California and the University of Vienna.

Furthermore, I will bring my research network of academics from Tunesia, Morocco, and Egypt to the University of Hamburg. I also plan to further expand collaboration with institutions in North Africa and Southeast Asia, for I am convinced that the insights from Islamic theology gained in the German-speaking world can provide valuable ideas for Muslim countries.

My research is important to society because:

Islam and Muslim people are currently omnipresent in public discourse. In my view, objective, fact-based information as well as new insights can be of great use to the general public as well as to media, politics, and everyone reflecting on these topics. The University of Hamburg trains prospective teachers, who will also be multipliers at the various types of schools. With my research and teaching I aim to provide students with a solid educational foundation to benefit their future school students and hence society as a whole.

Also, my research is significant to intra-Muslim discourse, particularly when considering the principles for understanding and practicing faith in the twenty-first century. I think it is imperative to take a critical look at one’s own tradition and to stay open to insights from other academic disciplines. In the long run, I hope to be able to make a worthwile contribution to this discourse. “There is no better place to critically explore Muslim faith and its diverse expressions than the University.”