Context, focus and new perspectives in the study of Muslim religiosity

Abstract

This paper examines Muslim religiosities by focusing on the variety of Islam classes offered by Muslim organizations in Denmark. More specifically, the paper highlights conditions for studying religiosity among Muslims in Denmark, and suggests new focus areas. The paper argues against an ‘ethnic’ approach to Islam and Muslim institutions in Western societies in favour of a more general analytical and theoretical framework. This perspective involves unwinding common assumptions about Muslim religiosity by examining religious relationships and concepts such as membership in religious organizations, forms of religiosity, religious knowledge, authority and autonomy. By illustrating the complexities of religious memberships and religiosities, the paper dissolves the distinction between organized and individual or private and collective religiosities, suggesting new perspectives that contribute to a more generalized framework for studying Muslim religiosities.