Аспекти на европейската идентичност през погледа на Навид Кермани
Aspects of European Identity Through the Eyes of Navid Kermani

Author(s): Daniela Decheva
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Politics and Identity
Published by: Университет за национално и световно стопанство (УНСС)
Keywords: Navid Kermani; European Identity; Islam; Europe; Refugee Crisis
Summary/Abstract: Navid Kermani is one of the most influential contemporary intellectuals in Germany, an active participant in the public debate on Europe. The aim of the report is to reveal his perspective on crises inside and outside Europe, which directly affect the debate on the pan-European identity. Through a content analysis of two collections of reportage-essay texts, speeches and journalistic texts, Kermani's reaction to these crises is derived. Results: the author sees fundamental European values as threatened not only by some external enemy, but by double standards and insufficient determination of the European policies. Special emphasis and persuasiveness in his public presence are expressed through his advocacy of Christian-Islamic reconciliation, his criticism of the growing persecution and killing of Christians in Islamic countries, and the perversion of Islamic religious thought and practice, which undermines not only peace and democratic rights but also the Islam itself. Conclusions: according to Kermani, European identity is possible only in the humanistic and cosmopolitan tradition, to which the respect for religion inseparably belongs. European societies need to redefine their perception of themselves, upholding their own values through self-criticism, unity and political responsibility.

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