Reflections on Interfaith Relations: A Decade After My Time as Allianz Visiting Professor at LMU: A Journey of Cultural Exchange

In the fall of 2013, I arrived in Germany as the Allianz Visiting Professor for Islamic Studies at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), a position endowed by Allianz AG and housed at the Institute for the Near and Middle East. The Friends of Islamic Art and Culture (Gesellschaft der Freunde islamischer Kunst und Kultur e.V. | Freunde islamischer Kunst) served as the official hosts of the professorship, providing crucial institutional support throughout my tenure. This continuing guest professorship for Jewish and Islamic Studies aimed to bring internationally renowned scholars to Munich to foster intercultural and inter-religious understanding.

As a specialist in the history of interfaith relations and Islamic and Middle Eastern history, I brought a unique perspective to my role, bridging cultures and challenging preconceptions. My tenure was specifically designed to promote greater awareness not only about Islam but also about the intertwined worlds of Muslims, Jews, and Christians, and to foster dialogue between these traditions through public lectures. Notably, I was the only holder of the Allianz chair to focus on Muslim-Jewish-Christian relations, bringing a distinctive emphasis to this position.

The Allianz Visiting Professorship for Islamic and Jewish Studies at LMU Munich was established in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, with the first appointment made in 2003. The goal of this endowed professorship was to promote dialogue between cultures and strengthen understanding of Islamic and Jewish culture. This initiative was rooted in the conviction that many international conflicts are exacerbated by a lack of understanding of cultural differences.

Academic Engagements

During my time at LMU, I led a graduate seminar and a reading course in Arabic texts within the Institute for Near and Middle Eastern Studies (Institut für den Nahen und Mittleren Osten – LMU München). The graduate seminar spanned two semesters: the fall term focused on Middle Eastern pilgrimage in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, highlighting shared notions of the sacred alongside each tradition’s unique aspects. In the spring term, we explored contemporary narratives by reading autobiographical works and memoirs from Arab Muslims, Jews, and Christians. These texts offered students intimate insights into the lived experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering a deeper understanding of intricate interfaith relations in the Middle East.

The Arabic texts reading course enhanced students’ proficiency in analyzing Arabic texts while deepening their understanding of Arabic literature’s cultural context. My students—hailing from Germany, Syria, Morocco, Egypt, Italy, Iran, and even a German Karaite—engaged in rigorous discussions that enriched their perspectives on interfaith dynamics.

Inaugural Lecture

In December 2013, I delivered my inaugural lecture as the Allianz Visiting Professor on “The Sacred and the Secular.” (Allianz Gastprofessor für Islamstudien, Antrittsvorlesung: Prof. Dr. Yousef W. Meri (München) – Institut für den Nahen und Mittleren Osten – LMU München) This lecture was briefly introduced by LMU President Prof. Bernd Huber. The event was supported by both the Institute for Near and Middle Eastern Studies (Institut für den Nahen und Mittleren Osten – LMU München) and the Friends of Islamic Art and Culture (Gesellschaft der Freunde islamischer Kunst und Kultur e.V. | Freunde islamischer Kunst), who as official hosts of the professorship played a vital role in fostering academic discourse on interfaith relations. The lecture was well-received by attendees from diverse faiths. However, an encounter following my lecture underscored ongoing challenges: an elderly gentleman declared that Jerusalem did not “belong” to Muslims or Christians. This moment reminded me how deeply entrenched biases can be—and how crucial respectful communication is when addressing sensitive topics.

Media Narratives and Political Exploitation

The market attack in Magdeburg on 20 December 2024 (German Christmas market latest: Tributes paid to Magdeburg attack victims – BBC News) offers an important case study in how local events can be politicized to serve broader agendas. While initially misreported by Western media as an act of Islamist extremism due to early assumptions about religious motivations, it later became clear that this attack—committed by a radicalized atheist psychiatrist who had previously been Muslim—was rooted more in personal insecurities than religious ideology. Unfortunately, this and other incidents continue to be politically exploited by groups such as Alternative for Germany (AfD) to fuel anti-immigrant sentiment within Germany and anti-Muslim rhetoric abroad.

This example underscores how isolated events can be misrepresented through media narratives and weaponized by political actors to deepen societal divisions. As academics, we must provide nuanced analysis that distinguishes between individual actions and systemic issues while resisting oversimplified narratives that perpetuate “othering.”

Religious Literacy and Academic Study

The Eugen Biser Foundation exemplifies how institutions can contribute meaningfully to interfaith dialogue. Established by an eminent Catholic theologian in Munich, this foundation focuses on fostering interreligious understanding through events such as symposia and publications. Notably, it awarded its prestigious Eugen Biser Award to initiatives like “A Common Word Between Us and You” (www.acommonword.com), which promotes peace between Muslims and Christians. By engaging scholars globally and addressing pressing issues such as religious coexistence and environmental ethics, the Foundation continues to provide valuable platforms for dialogue.

While initiatives like those undertaken by institutions such as the Eugen Biser Foundation (Eugen-Biser-Stiftung) play an important role in promoting interfaith dialogue in Germany and beyond, there remains a pressing need for broader religious literacy—both within society at large and within academia. Religious literacy involves more than just understanding religious traditions. As Diane Moore states, “Religious literacy entails the ability to discern and analyze the fundamental intersections of religious social/political/cultural life through multiple lenses.” (What is Religious Literacy? | Religion and Public Life at Harvard Divinity School) Moreover, it requires recognizing the historical interactions of religious traditions and their influence on contemporary societies.

Academia must take up this challenge by further promoting interfaith studies as a distinct interdisciplinary discipline within the Humanities and Social Sciences. The history of interfaith relations should be taught alongside contemporary studies as part of university curricula. These efforts will ensure that future generations approach interfaith relations with both historical depth and critical insight.

To achieve this:

Universities should develop interdisciplinary methodologies and curricula specific to interfaith studies.

Permanent academic positions dedicated to interfaith relations should be established.

Interdisciplinary approaches combining history, sociology, anthropology, media studies, and other fields should inform research frameworks.

Teaching programs must emphasize empathy alongside rigorous scholarship.

The Centre for Interreligious Studies (CIS) at Bamberg (Centre for Interreligious Studies) provides an excellent example of such initiatives. Its master’s program focuses on Judaism-Christianity-Islam relations while incorporating interdisciplinary methods across theology, political science, sociology, and language studies. By fostering cooperative partnerships with institutions worldwide and organizing public events promoting intellectual discourse on interreligious topics, CIS exemplifies how academia can contribute meaningfully to interfaith understanding.

Campus Discourse on Israel-Palestine

Recent events since October 2023 have highlighted the complexities surrounding discussions about Israel-Palestine relations within academic settings. Universities like Freiburg have responded through structured academic programs designed to promote constructive dialogue while maintaining academic rigor. For instance, Freiburg’s lecture series featured scholars such as renowned German historian Gudrun Krämer examining religious-political identities in the region. Collaborative initiatives like those led by Jouanna Hassoun and Shai Hoffmann (Middle East conflict: teaching in schools) demonstrate how German-Jewish and German-Palestinian perspectives can engage productively.

However, such discussions also reveal challenges faced by universities in balancing academic freedom with respectful discourse. Institutions have developed guidelines addressing discrimination while fostering spaces for meaningful dialogue—a responsibility that aligns with academia’s broader mission to create environments where complex issues can be debated constructively.

Key Takeaways

Comparative historical studies provide invaluable insights into interfaith dynamics.

Personal narratives humanize “the other” while challenging stereotypes.

Academic discourse offers platforms for constructive dialogue on sensitive topics.

Religious literacy is essential—not only for society but also within academia itself.

As Diana Eck eloquently explains: “Pluralism is not diversity alone but the energetic engagement with diversity.” This vision aligns with efforts to build bridges across religious divides through education.

The Vision Moving Forward

The Allianz endowment represented a bold vision for promoting interfaith dialogue through academic study. Although its funding ceased years ago, its mission remains as relevant today as ever. By fostering educational programs that integrate historical perspectives with contemporary applications—and by creating spaces where diverse voices can engage empathetically—we can build societies where pluralism thrives.

Reflecting on my time at LMU reminds me that perseverance is essential when promoting harmony across religious divides. Through education rooted in empathy and shared experiences across cultures lies hope for building inclusive societies that celebrate differences rather than fearing them.