Paderborn University celebrates anniversary with multi-religious panel discussion
The Centre for Comparative Theology and Cultural Studies (ZeKK) at Paderborn University celebrated its 15th anniversary on Wednesday, 4 December. A multi-religious panel discussion on peace in religions formed the centrepiece of the event, which was attended by guests from academia, politics, culture and society.
The President of Paderborn University, Prof. Dr. Birgitt Riegraf, highlighted the valuable work of all those involved in the centre. "The various initiatives of the ZeKK, such as research collaborations, conferences, study trips, public lecture series and the development of educational materials and dialogue projects, are enormously important for us as a university in times of numerous social divisions," praised Riegraf. Prof. Dr. Zishan Ghaffar, Chairman of the ZeKK, recalled key milestones in the centre's history, including the founding of the Paderborn Institute for Islamic Theology and the Seminar for Jewish Studies. "These steps have created sustainable structures for the academic discipline of comparative theology in research and teaching," said Ghaffar. "A central concern of comparative theology is to contribute to strengthening social cohesion through a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diversity of religious beliefs."
Prof. Dr. Johannes Süßmann, who moderated the multi-religious panel discussion as a historian, also emphasised the pioneering achievements of the ZeKK for the German university landscape. The establishment of a research network from the theologies and cultural studies, which is dedicated to social challenges in interdisciplinary cooperation, is unique in Germany, he said. On Wednesday evening, Rabbi Prof. Dr Elisa Klapheck, Catholic theologian Dr Johannes Grössl (both from Paderborn University) and Islam and political scientist Dr Sameer Murtaza discussed the role of religions for peace in globally unpeaceful times. One important aspect was the relationship between inner and outer peace, i.e. the attitude of an individual or a society towards peace work with regard to actual conflicts. The theologians also shed light on various levels of relationships, such as peace with God or peace with people of other faiths.
This text has been translated automatically.
