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Muslim Public Spheres in German Cities
Abstract by Dr. Petra Y. Kuppinger On Session 190  (Claiming Space and Place)

On Saturday, October 12 at 2:30 pm

2013 Annual Meeting

Abstract
The public sphere is a vital element of urban life. In recent years Muslim individuals and groups have entered and demanded their place and equal participation in German urban public spheres. Results have been mixed. In some cases, Muslims are considered proponents of non-liberal ideas and perspectives and hence declared unfit for full-fledged participation in liberal debate and cities. In other contexts, pious Muslim individuals and groups have long since become ordinary urban actors and participants. Based on anthropological fieldwork conducted in Stuttgart, Germany, I introduce concrete examples of Muslim participation and interventions that have made individuals and groups integral parts of the urban public sphere. Analyzing contributions of individuals and associations (e.g. public lectures, debates, open houses in mosques, or religious dialogue events), I argue that Muslims are constructive members of German urban public spheres. I illustrate how what might seem to be distinctly Muslim public platforms often work to ease the way of Muslim citizens into larger arenas of public participation and debates. Topics debated in particular Muslim contexts frequently serve to connect internal debates to larger public debates. Muslims interventions and public activities do not occur in opposition to the mainstream urban public sphere, but increasingly form one dynamic element of German urban public spheres.
Discipline
Anthropology
Geographic Area
Europe
Sub Area
Diaspora/Refugee Studies