A New Model for Dialogue


Farish Noor of the German Center for Modern Oriental Studies, has initiated what he calls a new model for dialogue, taking more time and incorporating partners that were previously left to watch from the sidelines. Anna Zwenger reports

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Farish Noor confronts his guests, who in most cases defend the Islamization of their society, with representatives of comparable groups from the secular democracy of Germany | The Center for Modern Oriental Studies was founded in 1996 as a forum for humanities scholarship outside the ivory tower. Taking an interdisciplinary and comparative historical approach, the center focuses primarily on Islamic societies in the Middle East, Africa, and South and Southeast Asia.

As part of his research into the secularization of Islamic institutions, Dr. Farish Noor hosted a study and teaching trip for Islamic activists from Malaysia and Indonesia from November 19 to December 3, 2006.

The new concept for dialogue consists of utilizing the practical problems and conflicts faced by the participants in their role as society-building activists and politicians as a platform for communication. Dialogue is to be sought in particular with the representatives of the Islamic world who are stigmatized in the West as Islamists and thus often have a difficult position to defend themselves.

Broad spectrum of opinions

The classic dialogue between intellectual Islam specialists and moderate Muslims, "like the kind that takes place for two or three days only at five-star hotels," to put it in Dr. Noor's words, should now be replaced by a new model for dialogue, taking more time and incorporating partners that were previously left to watch from the sidelines.



To this end, Dr. Noor confronted his guests – who all vehemently defend the Islamization of their society, whether in terms of the legal system, education or in social matters – with representatives of comparable groups from the secular democracy of Germany. The varied backgrounds of the thirteen participants, from human rights activist to lawyer, from journalist to party functionary, ensured a broad spectrum of opinions.

This became clear in the course of a versatile program of lectures, seminars and public discussions. These were accompanied by meetings with representatives from German political parties including the Social Democrats, the Socialists and the Greens, as well as with journalists and representatives of Christian organizations such as MISSIO.

The complexity of political Islam

Dr. Noor, who describes his own political stance as secular left wing, has dedicated himself for the past ten years to the dialogue between Islam and the western world. From his long and intensive academic work with Islamic activists, human rights defenders and scholars of political Islam, he realized that it was now time to develop a new concept for this dialogue.

"Political Islam is of course a very complex theme," Dr. Noor explains, which involves numerous organizations and parties with divergent goals and visions. Looking at the Islamic Party (PAS) in Malaysia, however, or the Justice Party (PKS) in Indonesia, both of which advocate an Islamic state, "it becomes evident that, on the political level, they are dealing with the same core issues as the European parties." The Islamic parties are likewise committed to social justice and the improvement of the educational and healthcare systems.

Common ground

"In the current dialogue, which is mainly about religion or seemingly irreconcilable differences, this common ground is often overlooked."

For Dr. Noor, one thing was very important during the entire two weeks: "No theme is taboo and there should be no false politeness." In fact, harsh criticism was sometimes voiced on both sides. Nevertheless, the dialogue managed to avoid any hostile connotations.

The subject of the German social state was broached repeatedly in the conversations and discussions. "It was clear," says Dr. Noor, "that the invited guests have a great interest in realizing and maintaining this kind of state system in these days of economic globalization."

According to Dr. Noor and the enthusiastic participants, the new concept is a success. "All of those who took part have profited enormously," the political scientist concluded. "A varied and detailed exchange became possible," he added, a dialogue that went beyond prejudices and stereotypes. The vision behind this event is the goal of building a future network in which this new kind of dialogue can be continued.

And this in turn should ultimately create functioning cooperation between extreme poles that, despite their differences, are able to find understanding and exchange.

Anna Zwenger

© Qantara.de 2006

Translated from the German by Jennifer Taylor-Gaida



To this end, Dr. Noor confronted his guests – who all vehemently defend the Islamization of their society, whether in terms of the legal system, education or in social matters – with representatives of comparable groups from the secular democracy of Germany. The varied backgrounds of the thirteen participants, from human rights activist to lawyer, from journalist to party functionary, ensured a broad spectrum of opinions.

This became clear in the course of a versatile program of lectures, seminars and public discussions. These were accompanied by meetings with representatives from German political parties including the Social Democrats, the Socialists and the Greens, as well as with journalists and representatives of Christian organizations such as MISSIO.

The complexity of political Islam

Dr. Noor, who describes his own political stance as secular left wing, has dedicated himself for the past ten years to the dialogue between Islam and the western world. From his long and intensive academic work with Islamic activists, human rights defenders and scholars of political Islam, he realized that it was now time to develop a new concept for this dialogue.

"Political Islam is of course a very complex theme," Dr. Noor explains, which involves numerous organizations and parties with divergent goals and visions. Looking at the Islamic Party (PAS) in Malaysia, however, or the Justice Party (PKS) in Indonesia, both of which advocate an Islamic state, "it becomes evident that, on the political level, they are dealing with the same core issues as the European parties." The Islamic parties are likewise committed to social justice and the improvement of the educational and healthcare systems.

Common ground

"In the current dialogue, which is mainly about religion or seemingly irreconcilable differences, this common ground is often overlooked."

For Dr. Noor, one thing was very important during the entire two weeks: "No theme is taboo and there should be no false politeness." In fact, harsh criticism was sometimes voiced on both sides. Nevertheless, the dialogue managed to avoid any hostile connotations.

The subject of the German social state was broached repeatedly in the conversations and discussions. "It was clear," says Dr. Noor, "that the invited guests have a great interest in realizing and maintaining this kind of state system in these days of economic globalization."

According to Dr. Noor and the enthusiastic participants, the new concept is a success. "All of those who took part have profited enormously," the political scientist concluded. "A varied and detailed exchange became possible," he added, a dialogue that went beyond prejudices and stereotypes. The vision behind this event is the goal of building a future network in which this new kind of dialogue can be continued.

And this in turn should ultimately create functioning cooperation between extreme poles that, despite their differences, are able to find understanding and exchange.

Anna Zwenger

© Qantara.de 2006

Translated from the German by Jennifer Taylor-Gaida


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