Integrative contribution of the doctoral project to Islamic religious education: The maqāṣid concept as a key to values education – An integrative approach to religious education and the exploration of values and norms

This dissertation project focuses on developing an integrative approach to values education for Islamic Religious Education (IRE) in Germany. In a pluralistic society, teachers face the complex challenge of reconciling genuine Islamic theology and normative teachings with socio-political educational mandates. This study addresses the research gap at the intersection of ethics and Islamic religious pedagogy. As a solution, the legal-philosophical concept of maqāṣid (intentions of Sharia) is didactically modeled. Methodologically, the work combines discourse-analytical hermeneutics with a qualitative content analysis of core curricula (North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg). Embedded within a Design-Based Research (DBR) framework, the research aims to construct and test a criteria-oriented guideline as an educational intervention. This theory-driven, real-world approach empowers Muslim students to develop religious dialogue and judgment skills, contributing to peaceful coexistence in a secular constitutional state.