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Conversion to Islam in the Ottoman Balkans initially followed a pattern similar to the one established by Bulliet for the regions incorporated in the course of the seventh and eighth centuries into the Islamic realm. By the early eighteenth century, close to forty percent of the Balkan population belonged to the Muslim community. However, Islamization came to a sudden halt in most of the Balkan lands in the second quarter of the eighteenth century. / I have sought an explanation for this phenomenon in kisve bahasi petitions, which reflect the unique economic and social conditions in the Ottoman Empire during the period 1670s--1730s. The transformation from religious syncretism to religious conservatism in the second part of the seventeenth century changed the nature of conversion by introducing ceremonies and documentation of conversion. I argue that the practice of granting kisve bahasi evolved into an institution of conversion, which substituted to a certain extent for the devsirme institution. For the socially weak, the kisve bahasi institution served as a form of social welfare. Conversion to Islam for the new Muslims converted through the kisve bahasi institution was, therefore, primarily a pragmatic rather than spiritual affair. I also argue that the process of conversion in the Balkans was cut short by a premature "laggards" stage in the period 1670s--1730s. This development, which points to the uniqueness of the process of conversion in the Balkans, may have been due to the rise of a more prosperous class of non-Muslims as a result of the Ottoman Empire's integration into the world economy.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Tübingen. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 673-717).

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‘A da’wah movement in Mauritius: A study of the Jamaat-Ul-Muslimeen’ is based on qualitative research and its objective is to examine the socio-cultural factors that may hinder the processes of da’wah in Mauritius. The study is placed in the context of a well-known national Islamic organisation, the Jamaat-Ul-Muslimeen whose founder is Mr. Muhammad Cehl Fakeemeeah, a Member of the National Parliament. The movement is also associated with a political party, the FSM (Front Solidarité Mauricien) or the Mauritian Solidarity Front. The Jamaat-Ul-Muslimeen seeks to propose an alternative da’wah program in order to promote understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims and to accelerate the progression of conversion in Mauritius. The movement is involved in politics and mass media in order to reach the maximum number of people in the island. Emphasis is put on the urgent need for each individual to understand the concept of God as well as reading the Qur’an in order to avoid falling into the traps of traditional da’wah which has prevailed in Mauritius for decades.The present thesis analyses data provided in face to face interviews with a number of Mauritian converts as well as observation and discussions with other born Muslim members, all adherents of the said organisation. The Mauritian society is well-known for its multi-religious and multi-cultural background, influenced mainly by the majority, the Hindu community which consists of more than 50 % of the whole population. According to Soonita Kistamah 1, the percentage of Muslims is only 17, 3 % of the whole Mauritian population and this demonstrates a large gap concerning the work of da’wah in the island. Therefore the thesis will investigate factors that hinder da’wah by focusing on one particular movement – the Jamaat Ul Muslimeen. After having scanned the available literature, no specific study on da’wah in Mauritius was found. There is therefore a gap in the knowledge of da’wah especially issues such as socio-cultural factors that may affect da’wah progression within the Mauritian context. This thesis is a contribution to filling this gap. Since the thesis wishes to understand the socio-cultural factors which hinder the progress of da‘wah in Mauritius a qualitative approach was deemed most appropriate to explore this issue. The thesis begins providing my motivation for writing on the topic of da‘wah, a statement of the problem, research objectives, significance of the study, and the theory and methodology applied. Chapter II provides an overview of Mauritius and its history. Emphasis is given to the events of the 12th March 1968, that is, the civil war which occurred between Christians and Muslims which led to ethnic tensions. Another communal crisis which occurred in February1999 between Black Creole and the Hindu community is also examined. Chapter III will provide a biography of Cehl Meeah, the founder of Jamaat-Ul-Muslimeen, his broader religious and political outlook and the history and da‘wah methodology of his organization. Chapter IV examines this methodology in the light of certain theoretical considerations with regard to da‘wah. Chapter V discusses and interprets the results and findings that emerge from interviews and discussions with converts belonging to the Jamaat-Ul-Muslimeen. Chapter VI concludes the dissertation and lists recommendations with regard to da‘wah methodology in Mauritius. / Religious Studies & Arabic / M.A. (Islamic Studies)

‘A da’wah movement in Mauritius: A study of the Jamaat-Ul-Muslimeen’ is based on qualitative research and its objective is to examine the socio-cultural factors that may hinder the processes of da’wah in Mauritius. The study is placed in the context of a well-known national Islamic organisation, the Jamaat-Ul-Muslimeen whose founder is Mr. Muhammad Cehl Fakeemeeah, a Member of the National Parliament. The movement is also associated with a political party, the FSM (Front Solidarité Mauricien) or the Mauritian Solidarity Front. The Jamaat-Ul-Muslimeen seeks to propose an alternative da’wah program in order to promote understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims and to accelerate the progression of conversion in Mauritius. The movement is involved in politics and mass media in order to reach the maximum number of people in the island. Emphasis is put on the urgent need for each individual to understand the concept of God as well as reading the Qur’an in order to avoid falling into the traps of traditional da’wah which has prevailed in Mauritius for decades.The present thesis analyses data provided in face to face interviews with a number of Mauritian converts as well as observation and discussions with other born Muslim members, all adherents of the said organisation. The Mauritian society is well-known for its multi-religious and multi-cultural background, influenced mainly by the majority, the Hindu community which consists of more than 50 % of the whole population. According to Soonita Kistamah 1, the percentage of Muslims is only 17, 3 % of the whole Mauritian population and this demonstrates a large gap concerning the work of da’wah in the island. Therefore the thesis will investigate factors that hinder da’wah by focusing on one particular movement – the Jamaat Ul Muslimeen. After having scanned the available literature, no specific study on da’wah in Mauritius was found. There is therefore a gap in the knowledge of da’wah especially issues such as socio-cultural factors that may affect da’wah progression within the Mauritian context. This thesis is a contribution to filling this gap. Since the thesis wishes to understand the socio-cultural factors which hinder the progress of da‘wah in Mauritius a qualitative approach was deemed most appropriate to explore this issue. The thesis begins providing my motivation for writing on the topic of da‘wah, a statement of the problem, research objectives, significance of the study, and the theory and methodology applied. Chapter II provides an overview of Mauritius and its history. Emphasis is given to the events of the 12th March 1968, that is, the civil war which occurred between Christians and Muslims which led to ethnic tensions. Another communal crisis which occurred in February1999 between Black Creole and the Hindu community is also examined. Chapter III will provide a biography of Cehl Meeah, the founder of Jamaat-Ul-Muslimeen, his broader religious and political outlook and the history and da‘wah methodology of his organization. Chapter IV examines this methodology in the light of certain theoretical considerations with regard to da‘wah. Chapter V discusses and interprets the results and findings that emerge from interviews and discussions with converts belonging to the Jamaat-Ul-Muslimeen. Chapter VI concludes the dissertation and lists recommendations with regard to da‘wah methodology in Mauritius. / Religious Studies and Arabic / M.A. (Islamic Studies)

Text in English / The Muslim population in South Africa has its origins in the 17th Century when they were initially brought in as slaves or political exiles by the Dutch colonisers. Christian-Muslim relations have not always been good and especially the topic of 'conversion' has often caused conflict between the members of the two faiths. Additional problems such as the apartheid era has caused many Christians, especially Africans, to question their faith and turn their back on Christianity by converting to Islam. There are other areas which have caused conflict in the relations such as mistrust, misinformation and discrimination. In South Africa's religiously pluralistic society people convert from Christianity to Islam, and vice versa, from a variety of motives. This study first discusses various Christian missiological debates on understandings of conversion and then surveys psychological approaches to the motivational structures of 'decision-making'. The heart of the study is the presentation and analysis of the conversion narratives of 20 converts (10 from Islam to Christianity and 10 from Christianity to Islam). These narratives are analysed in terms of five key conversion motives, as a result of which various patterns of conversion motives emerge. In church practice and missiology, conversion is often understood only in one direction (towards Christianity) and with only one valid motive, namely a strictly religious one. This study reveals, however, that such a view is inadequate. Conversion should rather be understood as a two-way movement and based on combinations of various motives. This study concludes with the presentation of a holistic missiological understanding of conversion which applies more adequately to the South African context. This new understanding of conversion may help to promote better understanding and respect between faith communities. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

Text in English / The Muslim population in South Africa has its origins in the 17th Century when they were initially brought in as slaves or political exiles by the Dutch colonisers. Christian-Muslim relations have not always been good and especially the topic of 'conversion' has often caused conflict between the members of the two faiths. Additional problems such as the apartheid era has caused many Christians, especially Africans, to question their faith and turn their back on Christianity by converting to Islam. There are other areas which have caused conflict in the relations such as mistrust, misinformation and discrimination. In South Africa's religiously pluralistic society people convert from Christianity to Islam, and vice versa, from a variety of motives. This study first discusses various Christian missiological debates on understandings of conversion and then surveys psychological approaches to the motivational structures of 'decision-making'. The heart of the study is the presentation and analysis of the conversion narratives of 20 converts (10 from Islam to Christianity and 10 from Christianity to Islam). These narratives are analysed in terms of five key conversion motives, as a result of which various patterns of conversion motives emerge. In church practice and missiology, conversion is often understood only in one direction (towards Christianity) and with only one valid motive, namely a strictly religious one. This study reveals, however, that such a view is inadequate. Conversion should rather be understood as a two-way movement and based on combinations of various motives. This study concludes with the presentation of a holistic missiological understanding of conversion which applies more adequately to the South African context. This new understanding of conversion may help to promote better understanding and respect between faith communities. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

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DIPLOMOVÁ PRÁCE Komu věří české konvertitky? Zdroje informací mladých pražských konvertitek k islámu Bc. Klára Popovová English Abstract At present, Islam is a hotly debated issue in the Czech society; however, we still know very little about our own Muslim minority and academic studies only started to focus on it in the last few years. Apart from native Muslims, several hundred converts to Islam live in the Czech Republic. These people discovered their religion as adults and have not been brought up with it. Where do women who have decided to become Muslims look for information and on what basis do they trust their sources? Apart from the above-mentioned questions, this thesis discusses other topics related to conversion of women to Islam, be it their motivation to convert or the response of their families and friends. The main contribution of this thesis consists of original quantitative research in which fifteen young women converts to Islam living in Prague took part. This sample provides an interesting insight into the lives of several Czech Muslim women and also a starting point for further, more complex research. From the respondents' answers, it is evident that the Internet, social networks, and information exchange between Czech Muslim women play an important part. More traditional sources, such as...