Islam 2.0

by Leona Ohsiek

With my series on Pop Islam, I want to offer the viewer a new and unknown view of German Muslims. The new generation of Muslims I consulted interpret Islam in their own way and they deal with the application of the basic and traditional tenets of the religion in an increasingly liberal manner. Like Aybüke Ergündüz, a 22-year-old student from Goslar, many other young adults are adapting their thinking and behaviour to modern, Western society. Women in particular consciously use this kind of rebellion as a sign of their opposition to the cliché of the subjugated woman. They no longer hide their skin behind full-length outfits, they dress up instead. But they still want to maintain connected to their religion. Pop Islam allows Muslim women to bring things together that are usually opposed: freedom, emancipation, self-determination and religion. “I’m both at once: German and Muslim”, Aybüke says proudly. It’s not an either/or situation.

“I never leave the house without make-up on!” 22-year-old Aybüke Ergündüz says. “I don’t feel good without it.”By Leona Ohsiek
For the Muslim holiday Miraç Kandili, the resurrection of the Prophet, mothers and daughters prepare tepside et, a beef dish that is cooked in the oven on a large round tray called a tepsi.By Leona Ohsiek
The small family of Belma (47), her daughters Abyüke (22) and Medine (17) and her son Harun (20), gathers around the table for lunch whenever they have time. Ayran, a salty yoghurt drink that is particularly refreshing in summer, is served By Leona Ohsiek
After eating, mother and daughter enjoy the sun in the adjoining garden. Belma wears her headscarf whenever she leaves the house, without exception. By Leona Ohsiek
In an old-fashioned small town like Goslar, Belma really stands out with her headscarf. She is even occasionally scowled at by the odd passer-by. But the overwhelming majority of people are accepting and tolerant, she explains.By Leona Ohsiek
All members of the Ergündüz family have German citizenship. Belma and Aybüke both happily exercise their right to vote in European elections.By Leona Ohsiek
On special occasions they prepare a sweet desert called Helva out of butter, flour and sugar to give to neighbours, friends and relatives.By Leona Ohsiek
Aybüke likes to dress in modern styles and above all flamboyantly. She can often be found talking with her best friend Tubga about the latest shoes and the most trendy outfits. By Leona Ohsiek
Aybüke, a journalism student, is currently writing her bachelor’s thesis on sexuality and intimacy on Turkish television. Her views about it are well-informed: “We live in the 21st century. You can’t simply try to shield people from that.” By Leona Ohsiek
On religious holidays, all the make-up has to come off again. Even nail polish has to be removed. That’s how Aybüke unifies the two things that are extremely important to her: fashion and religion. By Leona Ohsiek
She doesn’t pray five times a day, as stipulated in the Koran and as her mother does. But on holidays she always takes time to do the ritual washing, puts on a head scarf, long-sleeved shirt and full-length skirt.By Leona Ohsiek