Institute of Islamic Studies
The protestant “Institute of Islamic Studies” is a network of scholars in Islamic studies and is carried out by the Evangelical Alliance in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Churches, the political arena, and society at large are provided foundational information relating to the topic of ‘Islam’ through research and the presentation thereof via publications, adult education seminars, and democratic political discourse.
International Institute of Islamic Studies
As long as the International Institute of Islamic Studies (IIIS) of the World Evangelical Alliance does not have its own website, this English part of ifi’s website will serve the IIIS as well. The English half of the bilingual journal ‘Islam and Christianity” will serve as the regular publication of IIIS for the moment being.
Research Focus
As far as our work is concerned, the focus is primarily on Islam in Europe, the global development of Islamic theology and of Islamic fundamentalism, as well as a respectful and issue-related meeting of Christians and Muslims. In the process, misunderstandings about Islam and Muslims can be cleared up, and problematic developments in Islamic fundamentalism and political Islam are explained. Through our work we want to contribute to engaging Muslims in an informed and fair manner.
What we do
- Lectures, seminars, and conferences for public authorities, churches, political audiences, and society at large
- Participation in special conferences on the topic of Islam
- The publication of books in German, English, and Spanish
- The preparation of scholarly studies for the general public
- Special publications on current topics
- Production of a German-English journal entitled “Islam and Christianity”
- Regular press releases with commentaries on current events from a scholarly Islamic studies perspective
- Academic surveys and experts’ reports for advisory boards of government
- Regular news provided as summaries of Turkish and Arab language internet publications
- Fatwa archive
- Website with a collection of articles
Statement
The Institute of Islamic Studies thoroughly defends the democratic principles of tolerance and diversity of opinion and rejects every form of extremism, xenophobia, racism as well as defamation and violence against ethnic, social, or religious minorities. The employees and board members are committed to the Christian view of mankind, which respects every individual’s dignity and for that reason advocates mutual respect, fairness, human rights, thoroughgoing freedom of religion and freedom of thought as well as cultural diversity.
The Institute of Islamic Studies operates on the basis of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the World Evangelical Alliance’s Resolution on the Freedom of Religion.
Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads as follows: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”