In secular countries like Germany, sermons in Muslim immigrant communities play a crucial role in shaping religious identity. However, they often rely on traditional interpretations of Islam that do not reflect the diverse needs of these communities, particularly regarding women's issues. The role and rights of women receive little attention, leaving those who challenge patriarchal norms marginalized, and their concerns unaddressed in the sermons of imams.
This article explores Islamic reformist thought and Islamic feminism as foundations for dialogue between imams and reformist religious thinkers. Such discussions can help imams better understand the challenges faced by Muslim women and engage with new interpretations of religious texts. While religious reform has long been debated beyond Sunni-Shia divisions, many imams remain unfamiliar with these movements. Therefore, this article proposes initiatives to familiarize imams with reformist and feminist perspectives. By incorporating modern hermeneutical approaches, reformist scholars and Islamic feminism challenge rigid religious readings and advocate for a gender-just interpretation of Islamic texts. In this context, Islamic feminists emphasize the necessity of reinterpreting traditional perspectives to promote gender equality within the religious framework.
Creating dialogue spaces through seminars and workshops would provide imams with deeper insights into contemporary theories and the struggles faced by Muslim women, particularly in immigrant communities. These discussions, facilitated through seminars, workshops, and open forums, would help imams engage with new religious perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of the issues facing Muslim women today. Such engagement would not only raise awareness but also pave the way for practical solutions to address women's issues, especially in immigrant Islamic communities.