The Arctic Muslim

Abstract

Our project “The Arctic Muslim” aims at taking the study of Islam in the West in new directions. This applies in particular with regard to the current focus of this field of research on the construction of pietistic and Salafi Muslim identities in the metropolitan areas of Europe and North America. Empirically, we explore the role of Islamic traditions in the subjectivity formation of contemporary Muslims in the socially and ecologically distinct environment of Arctic towns in Norway and Canada. Theoretically, we take up discussions on the historicity of religious concepts and the study of religion as everyday practice. To these theories the Arctic adds a novel analytical prism through which we can expand and critically reflect upon our understanding of the modern interpretation of Islamic traditions. How do Muslims in Arctic environments practice Islam in everyday life? In which ways do they negotiate their religious subject positions under the condition of remoteness in Arctic Norway and Canada? Answering these questions, we want to make original contributions to core debates at the disciplinary crossroads of Islamic and Religious Studies. The project is part of the research programme on Modern Muslim Subjectivities that has been directed by Dietrich Jung at the Center for Modern Middle East and Muslim Studies since 2013 and which has received external funding from Denmark’s Independent Research Fund, the VELUX Foundation and Carlsberg Foundation. The new Arctic Muslim project also received funding by the Independent Research Fund for the Humanities in Denmark and it will run from 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2025.