On April 16, 2026, PRIF hosted the book launch for the German-language anthology “Islamismus als gesellschaftliche Herausforderung. Ursachen, Wirkungen, Handlungsoptionen” (“Islamism as a Social Challenge: Causes, Effects, and Policy Options”), published by Shaimaa Abdellah, Sina Tultschinetski, Julian Junk and Manuela Freiheit. It focused on the findings of the funding program “Social Causes and Effects of Radical Islam in Germany and Europe” by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMBF/BMFTR) as well as their place in current research debates and future perspectives.
Hakan Çelik (Violence Prevention Network Hesse) provided key insights from prevention practice in his contribution to the discussion. He was joined by Prof. Dr. Andreas Zick (Institute for Interdisciplinary Conflict and Violence Research, University of Bielefeld), who spoke about societal developments in the context of Islamism; Prof. Dr. Riem Spielhaus (GEI – Leibniz Institute for Educational Media) on perspectives in Islamic studies and the role of schools, and Dr. Jonatan Kurzwelly (PRIF) on the transnational dimensions of the phenomenon and its place in international debates.
The book launch took place at the PRIF offices in Frankfurt am Main as well as online, providing a forum for interdisciplinary exchange among academics, practitioners, and interested professionals.
It was then followed by the premiere screening of the short documentary film “Islamism in Germany: Facts. Causes. Responses.” (Producer: Ute Seitz). Designed for a broad audience with no prior knowledge, the film explores how Islamism manifests itself in Germany today and what responses society, politics, and academia offer. It is available online.
