Recently the II International Conference “Islam in the Modern Secular State” was held in Bishkek, which was attended by experts, scientists in the field of theology and religion from 20 countries of the world. Several issues were discussed at the conference: model and practice of religious education, coverage of religion in the media and the Internet, the role of religious women in modern society, and the place of young people in a multicultural society.
A participant from London, Professor Jonas Otterbeck, told Kabar about his visit to Kyrgyzstan and whether the forum was useful to him.
- You have attended the Conference and presented your paper. Could you please tell about the topic of your presentation? What was it about?
I talked about Muslim youth in Scandinavia with the aim to give a realistic understanding of the possibilities of young Muslims to identify themselves as Muslims in a secular state.
- What are the benefits of such events as this Conference?
I love to met people from all over the world and share impressions, research and ideas. I have discussed with people from Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany,Iraq, Iran, Kyrgyzstan and many other places. It makes you question what you take for granted. On a higher level, I think that a conference like this can offer Kyrgyz scholars many impulses how to deal with local situations.
- The world is changing. So do the views of people. Some things which were regarded as normal in the past are considered to be barbaric today. Is therea need to reconsider the "laws" of religion?
As human societies have developed so has the need for the interpretation of religion. Innovations in technologies, social developments, environmental considerations and a host of other areas have necessitated for further reflecting and guidance on how these developments are reconciled with different religious interpretations.
Presently, every religion needs to further define its relationship to religious pluralism both within (internal plurality) and outside the broader religious tradition (interfaith), further, every religion needs to developan advanced theology and ethics in relation to the demands the environmental changes make on society.
- Where did you come from and what was the purpose of your visit to Kyrgyzstan? Is this your first visit?
It is my first visit, I travelled from London where I work for Aga Khan University, Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations. My purpose was to go to the conference but also to meet with some of the representatives of Aga Khan Development Network and the University of Central Asia.
- When did you start studying religion and what caused your interest in Islam?
The first courses I took at Lund University, Sweden, in 1984 was about Islam; I was only 19 years old at that time, so I have studied Islam all mygrown-up life, very soon for 35 years. I find Islam fascinating, its many interpretations, its diverse history, its dynamic present-day manifestations all trigger my curiosity. Even though I have been to quite a few Muslim countries, Islamic practices and ideas can still surprise me, the diversity is so vast, a lifetime is not enough to experience it all. To study something where you already know everything, I think that would be boring.
Interviewed by Tumara Turatbekova
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