Disputes over symbols such as the cross or the headscarf, the protection of religious minorities, or sexual and reproductive autonomy – conflicts over religion often end up in court, and not just in Germany. At the Cluster of Excellence “Religion and Politics”, political scientists Svenja Ahlhaus and Iman Al Nassre are investigating so-called strategic litigation – legal proceedings intended to bring about political or societal changes beyond the individual case. In this interview, project leader Ahlhaus and PhD student Al Nassre explain whether, from the perspective of political theory, religious strategic litigation is democratically legitimate.  Read more

The Cluster of Excellence ‘Religion and Politics’ invites you to the open-air lecture theatre ‘Religions, Peace and Violence’ at the North Rhein-Westphalia Day 2026. As part of the ‘Dialogue and Diversity’ theme, researchers from the University of Münster will present case studies from the past and present on 29 August 2026, from 5.30 to 7.45 pm. These case studies range from the world’s oldest peace treaty and inter-religious conflicts in the Middle Ages to religious policy, Islamism and the war in Ukraine – Contributions from Egyptology, Catholic, Protestant and Islamic theology, as well as religious studies and history.  Read more
 

An insight into the institutions that the Campus of Theology and Religious Studies will bring together from 2027 will be provided by the University of Münster at the North Rhein-Westphalia Day from 28 to 30 August. These include Protestant, Catholic and Islamic theology, religious studies, Jewish studies, a Cluster of Excellence, and other institutions engaged in research on religion. The multimedia presentation featuring a quiz will showcase the diversity of degree programmes and findings from interdisciplinary research on religion: from ancient shrines and religious parodies to the future of religious education in schools and online spiritual communities.  Read more