DOCUMENTARY

#DOCUMENTATION #PROJECTS #RESEARCH

The Legacy of al-Qurtubi: An Andalusi in Egypt

In this short biopic, we explore the life and writings of al-Qurtubi (‘the Cordoban’). Al-Qurtubi (d. 1273) lived in a time of great turbulence: from the fall of Cordoba in 1236, the fall of the Ayyubid dynasty in 1250, the rise of the Mamluk regime the same year, the Crusades (1095–1291), to the fall of the Caliphate in 1258. The historian Justin Benavidez highlights the biographie of one of the most important Islamic scholars. More about the film here

EGYlandscape Project

Exploring the historical landscapes of Egypt throughout the thirteenth and eighteenth centuries.

The EGYlandscape Project is an inter-disciplinary program that combines Islamic Studies, archaeological methods and research about climate and sustainability. One of the great results of the project was the birth of an interactive map of Egypt. The Geo Information System is available on the official website:

egylandscape.org

InTerNATIONAL COURSE - recognition of qualifications -

This film explains an course in Berlin, that helps foreign social workers to be recognized in their profession. We portrait Adam from Poland and Agustina from Argentinia.

The aim of the film is to explain to people with foreign degrees that with this course they can receive recognition that allows them to be treated and paid as if they had completed their degree in Germany. The course is called APALE.

Research PROJECTS

MIDA - PROGRAM

Mediating Islam in the Digital Age

Mediating Islam in the Digital Age

Understanding how a religion appears or transmutes is one of the ultimate challenges in history. MIDA project’s hypothesis is that we are witnessing a radical change in Islam. Indeed, the MIDA project rests on the premise that digitisation and technological innovation are having a tremendous influence on Islam that deserves to be studied from a variety of perspectives: on modes of expression and communication of religious messages and traditions, and on modes of engagement with society.

The overall aim of the project is to draw a complex picture of the ceaselessly repeated invention of new traditions, as a new means of expressing the sense of belonging to Islam (identity, community, political, social and religious practices, beliefs and representations). This will contribute new knowledge on the mechanisms underpinning the social and political transformation of societies, in the Muslim commonwealth and in the world, which will be used for the political and social benefit of the EU. It will raise public awareness of human sciences and their uses by institutions.

EGYLandscape Project

Historical Landscapes in Egypt

EGYLandscape Project

Exploring the historical landscapes of Egypt throughout the thirteenth and eighteenth centuries.

The EGYlandscape Project is an inter-disciplinary program that combines Islamic Studies, archaeological methods and research about climate and sustainability. One of the great results of the project was the birth of an interactive map of Egypt. The Geo Information System is available on the official website.

Research Films

#PHD_RESEARCH #ACADEMIC_BRANDING

ATHEISM in TUNISIA

Lena Richter's research is about non-religious everyday activism in Morocco and the Moroccan diaspora in Europe. Already in 2018 she compared atheism in Morocco and Tunisia. During a conference in Tunis she met an old interview partner in order to discuss what has changed since her last visit. More information here:

Research in COVID TIMES

In August 2020, during a Network Analysis Workshop in Marburg, Ramal al-Rammal is asking some of her ESR colleagues about how they are coping with the COVID19 crisis concerning their work and research. It had been the first offline meeting of the MIDA researchers after 8 months of trying to understand how to deal with the Pandemic and the program schedule.

Mohamed EL-Moursi in PAris

Mohamed El-Moursi is an Early Stage Researcher (ESR), working at EHESS in Paris. His research focuses on Kitāb al-Tibyān or The Memoir of ʿAbd Allāh ibn Buluggīn (1073-1090), the last Zirid ruler of the Taifa of Granada. The film documents his research life in the French capital and reflects the importance of offline meetings these days. Mohamed met his MIDA colleagues during the Networkwide Activity week in Paris, in the end of September 2021.

The TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE

Justin Benavidez works on the transfer of knowledge, in particular from Al-Andalus to the Islamic East. In his research he focus on the Islamic scholar Abu 'Abdullah Al-Qurtubi who brought Andalusian tradition to Egypt in the 13th century. Benavidez studies at the Escuela de Estudios Árabes, Universidad de Granada (Spain). More information about his research:

NEW WAYS OF JOURNALISM - QATAR

Lena Richter's research is about non-religious everyday activism in Morocco and the Moroccan diaspora in Europe. Already in 2018 she compared atheism in Morocco and Tunisia. During a conference in Tunis she met an old interview partner in order to discuss what has changed since her last visit. More information here:

HALF TIME OF THE PROJECT

Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) met in Paris in September 2021 to hold workshops, initiate and continue discussions and maintain the MIDA network. In this film they summerize the first half of the project.

WAR PHOTOGRAPHY IN IRAN

Researcher Elahe Habibi about her reesarch: “This video offers a glimpse into the central themes of my research from the University of Pantheon-Sorbonne, focusing on the profound impact of photography during Iran's transformative years. By spotlighting the works of key photographers, we chart a journey that captures the essence of a nation in flux.”

Traveling Books - Traveling Scholars

Mahdieh Tavakol researches on the library of Bahāʾ al-Dīn Muḥammad al-ʿĀmilī (1547-1621). The manuscripts of this collection are spread all over the world. Tavakol travels after the books and collects hints and clues in order to understand what happened to the books. Who read it and how was the knowledge communicated and passed on. More Information about Mahdieh Tavakol and her work, you find here:

Reflections about Research AND Crisis

The International Forum for Humanities and Social Science INSANIYYAT took place in Tunis this year. Also MIDA researchers participated and organized panels. Eleonora Landucci and presented a workshop about research and crisis. Together with her colleague ESR Lena Richter, she explore new ways and methods how to deal with crisis in and around research. In this film Eleonora explain the aims of the workshop and she reflects on her own research life, networks and traveling.

MORE STORIES

#PORTRAITS #EVENTS #REPORTS

ZEINA NASSAR - ABOUT BOXING

#SHORT PORTRAIT The three-time Berlin boxing champion Zeina Nassar is not only very successful in the ring, but also fights against the prejudice that boxing is purely a male sport. The devout Muslim woman is lobbying the German Boxing Association to allow her to enter the ring with a headscarf.

PS MEDIA did a TV documentary about Zeina when she was just 15. Two years later Philipp visit her in her old gym again and this film came out of it. Another two years later, the international competition rules were changed thanks to Zeina - so that women are now allowed to box in the hijab.

EUROPEAN MENTORING SUMMIT

#CONFERENCE The European Mentoring Summit is a biennial event that aims at connecting people and projects in the mentoring sector in order to establish connections and share research, best practices, and learning-bearing experiences of mentoring programs across Europe. Every event has a mentoring-related theme and highlights special keynote speakers and activities. More about the Mentoring Summit here

despite a learning disability

#IMAGEFILM The GGS organization helps people with learning disabilities complete vocational training. The film introduces three young people who manage to participate in the German job market.

GERMAN TV

Eddy, rbb 2018, by Philipp Rückriem

TEAM