1994                            Habilitation (German post-doctoral degree), University of Bamberg

1988                            Ph.D. Thesis topic „Islamization in Pakistan“ (magna cum laude)

1986 - 1988                Post-Graduate study, University of Heidelberg

1984 - 1986                Research in Pakistan

1983                            Post-Graduate study, University of Heidelberg (South Asian History,
                                    Indology, Islamic Studies)

1982                            M.A. (The Khaksar Movement), University of Bonn

1977 - 1982                Study at the University of Bonn (Islamic Studies and Political Science)

1966 - 1977                Friedrich-Ebert Gymnasium, Bonn, Germany. Abitur

1963 - 1966                Primary education, Bonn, Germany

1999 -                         Chair of Religious Studies – Islamic Studies, University of Erfurt

1998 - 1999                Professor, Head & Chair of Religious Studies, School of Education

                                    and Social Science,   University of Derby

1996 - 1997                Officiating Professor, Orientalisches Seminar, University of Bonn

1995 - 1998                Associate Professor, University of Bamberg

1993 - 1996                Assistant Professor; research project „Transformation of European Colonialism:
                                   Islamic Scholars between Qasbah and Colonial Rulers“, Universities of Heidelberg
                                   and Berlin, Grant from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG),
                                   app. amounting DM 300.000

1990 - 1992                Research Fellow at the South Asia Institute, University of Heidelberg;
                                    research: „Lucknow, Centre of Islamic Scholarship in Northern India“,

                                    Grant from DFG, app. amounting DM 220.000

1990 - 1996                Lecturer at Orientalisches Seminar, University of Bonn

1988 - 1989                Tutor Seminar für Sprachen und Kulturen des Vorderen Orients,
                                    University of Heidelberg

1986 - 1989                PhD student, University of Heidelberg, Grant from Konrad-Adenauer

                                   Foundation (KAS), app. amounting DM 36.000

1984 - 1986                Field trip and research, Grant from the KAS, app. amounting

                                    DM 39.000

1983 - 1984                PhD student, University of Heidelberg, Grant from KAS,

                                    app. amounting DM 15.000

1977 - 1982                Student University of Bonn, Grants from German Government
                                    (BAFöG), app. amounting DM 50.000

2009 -                         Member Working Group Ständige Perspektiv-AG zu gesellschaftspolitischen
                                   Fragen der Integration von Menschen aus islamischen Ländern of the
                                   George Anawati Foundation and catholic Academy Wolfsburg (Mühlheim a.d.R.)

2009 -                         Editorial Advisor Yearbook of Muslims in Europe (Leiden)

2009 -                         Reviewer Migrations and Identities (Liverpool)

2007 -                         Reviewer Pakistan Journal of History and Culture (Karachi)

2006 -                         Foreign Expert Social Sciences to Higher Education Commission, Islamabad

2006 - 2008                Member Working Group of German Islam Conference (DIK)

2005 - 2009                Member Working Group of
                                   Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) on Christians and Muslims”

2005 –                         Chairman Scientific Board of Muslimische Akademie in Deutschland,  2003 - 2007
                                    Editorial Board to Fikrun wa Fann, Inter Nationes / Goethe Institute

2003                            Founding Member Annemarie Schimmel Forum, Bonn

2000 - 2001                Visiting Professor, University of Derby

1998 - 2000                Member of the Scientific Board of the Asia-Foundation (Essen)

1998 - 2004                Member British Association of South Asian Studies (BASAS)

1998 - 2004                MultiFaithNet Consultant on Muslim communities, University of Derby

1997 - 1998                Faculty member: The German-American Academic Council (GAAC),
                                    Wissenschaftskolleg Berlin & The Social Science Research Council,

download publications list

Islamic Religion and History, Social History of Muslim South Asia, Political Islam, Islamic Mysticism, Is­lamic Reform Movements, Cultural Representations, Colonialism and Islam, Fundamentalism, Communal­ism, The `Islamic´ City, Malfuzat, History of Urdu Literature, Urdu Language, Islam in the West, Muslim Organisations in Germany, Indian Film, Religion and Space, Jerusalem, Crusades, Migration in Films, Religious Pluralism and Dialogue, Public Policy in Muslim Context, Media and Religion, Literature and Migration  (see also appendix 6)

University portfolios such as faculty, senate, foreign relations committee
Development and conceptualization of teaching programs and curricula (B.A. and M.A.)
Director Religious Studies University of Erfurt
Consultant to different national and international organizations, including media and publishing houses
Co-Editor of Islam im Lebenskontext Europa, Münster: LIT Verlag
Co-Editor of Vorlesungen des interdisziplinären Forums Religion, Münster: Aschendorff

Languages:

German, English, French, Urdu, Persian, Arabic