Religious Reform, Muslim Reform, and the Limits of Historical Consciousness

Featuring Dr. Aziz Al-Azmeh, Professor of History, Central European University

This lecture will focus on the possible senses of “reform” for Muslims in the context of the global modern history of religion, including the Protestant Reformation and its consequences. Professor Al-Azmeh will address the question of why Muslim reform was unable to develop beyond its moment of inception, and how its persistent apologetic character has confined its historical consciousness while enhancing its political adaptability.

This event is initiated by Ebrahim Moosa, the Mirza Family Chair in Islamic Thought and Muslim Societies at the Keough School of Global Affairs, and co-director of the Kroc Institute’s Contending Modernities initiative.