Jörn Thielmann

Jörn Thielmann serves as the Managing Director of the Erlangen Center for Islam and Law in Europe (FAU EZIRE) at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg since 2009. He is also a Member of the Teaching Faculty of the International Max Planck Research School 'Global Multiplicity' since 2023. Previously, he coordinated the MA program 'Middle Eastern Studies' at FAU from 2013 to 2017 and held lecturing positions at the University of Bern, University of Bonn, and University of Mainz.

Thielmann's research focuses on Islam in Europe, particularly in Germany, with emphasis on Islamic law, contemporary Muslim communities, and religious integration. His work explores Islamic normativity, political Islam, and the intersection of religious and secular legal systems. He has made significant contributions to understanding Muslim organizations in Germany, Islamic governance structures, and the dynamics of Muslim communities in Western societies.

His publications span encyclopedic entries, scholarly articles, and edited volumes, with recent work addressing contemporary issues such as Salafism in Germany, Islamic apocalyptic thought related to ISIS, and the application of Islamic legal concepts like hisba in modern European contexts. His research demonstrates a trend toward increasingly focused studies on specific aspects of Muslim life in Germany, including prayer practices, religious authority, and community organization.

• Choice Magazine, Outstanding Academic Title Award Winner (2008) for 'Islam and Muslims in Germany'

Thielmann has served on numerous scientific advisory boards including 'Danish Mosques – Significance, Use and Influence' (2017-2022), 'Salafismus in der (deutschsprachigen) Schweiz' (2019-2021), and 'PROvention' (state program against religiously motivated extremism in Schleswig-Holstein). He has been an active reviewer for major research organizations including the German Research Foundation, European Research Council, and Austrian Science Fund.

As a former board member (secretary) of the German Middle East Association (DAVO) from 2001-2017 and head of the 'Politics, Economy and Society' section at the German Orientalists' Conference, Thielmann has played a significant role in shaping academic discourse on Middle Eastern and Islamic studies in Germany.