The Annemarie Schimmel Memorial Lecture series is a framework for inter-religious dialogue and examining questions of comparative theology. Going forward this annual lecture series will be held at the University of Bonn in the month of June. In this broad forum, prominent international scholars of comparative theology give talks about the latest developments in their research activities. In homage to Annemarie Schimmel, the objectives are to promote excellence in religious scholarship and inter-religious dialogue on the biggest questions concerned in Theology.
The event also marks the official opening of the collaboration platform for the societal transfer of comparative theology, which is to receive approximately two million euros in funding over the next four years from the Ministry of Culture and Science of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, distributed between the University of Paderborn and the University of Bonn. Prof. Dr. Klaus von Stosch, Head of the International Center for Comparative Theology and Social Issues (CTSI) at the University of Bonn, commented: “I am extremely pleased and proud to have such an esteemed speaker from the Muslim world for our inaugural Annemarie Schimmel Lecture, who feels a close personal connection with Annemarie Schimmel as I do, and who, like Schimmel, has done prominent scholarship on the subject of love from a Muslim perspective. I simply could not imagine a better start for our collaboration platform.” Prof. von Stosch is a Catholic theologian and respected scholar of comparative theology specialized in Islam, and was named Schlegel Professor under the University of Excellence initiative. His work is closely tied to the University of Bonn Individuals & Societies Transdisciplinary Research Area.
Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal
Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad is Professor of Philosophy at Jordan University and one of the world’s most eminent actors in Islamic-Christian dialogue. He holds doctoral degrees from Cambridge, England and Al-Azhar University in Cairo, the dissertations for which already concerned the subject of love. In 2007 he penned a widely acclaimed open letter to Pope Benedict XVI. and other church leaders titled “A Common Word Between Us and You”. Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad is also an adviser to the Jordanian King on matters of religion and culture. The titles of the individual talks in this year’s Annemarie Schimmel Memorial Lecture are:
June 12, 2023, 5 pm (Bonn Minster):
What is love?
June 13, 2023, 4 pm (Grand Hall of the University of Bonn):
How does love work?
June 14, 2023, 4 pm (Grand Hall of the University of Bonn):
What is beauty?
To facilitate our planning, please notify us of your attendance via email to: lwiesenh@uni-bonn.de
Bio of the late Annemarie Schimmel
Annemarie Schimmel (1922–2003) was one of the 20th century’s most prominent scholars of Islamic studies. Her works and translations, particularly on Islamic mysticism, have served to build bridges between East and West—between Islam and Christianity. As a longtime professor at Harvard University, she lectured all around the world, and continues posthumously to enjoy a major reputation in Islamic countries, being considered an inspiring figure in the field of academic theology. Annemarie Schimmel is buried in Poppelsdorf Cemetery in Bonn.
The International Center for Comparative Theology and Social Issues
The International Center for Comparative Theology and Social Issues (CTSI) is a hub for interdisciplinary research projects in the field of comparative theology, organized under the Faculty of Catholic Theology at the University of Bonn. For further information visit: https://www.ctsi.uni-bonn.de/en
Collaboration platform for the societal transfer of comparative theology
The CTSI and the Center for Comparative Theology and Cultural Studies (ZeKK) at the University of Paderborn are further expanding their existing partnership in the field of Comparative Theology. The Ministry of Culture and Science for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MKW NRW) is providing roughly 2 million euros in funding for a joint research project on societal transfer of comparative theology. The two partners will be collaborating as well with the Berlin-based House of One foundation in promotion of their research efforts.