13.04.2023
Museum für Islamische Kunst
The hybrid mix of content offered at the Digital Learning Educational Platform Against Prejudice and Racism of the Museum für Islamische Kunst’s (Museum for Islamic Art) has been selected from a total of 140 submitted projects in the Hybrid Offer category (linked online and offline content) for the Shortlist of the DigAMus Award 2023.
Presenting Islam in the classroom as a diverse subject rather than a stereotype is not easy. Teaching about Islam often overwhelms teachers and is burdened with many stereotypes. The Museum für Islamische Kunst’s new digital education portal changes that!
Its free materials bring a multifaceted image of Islam into the classroom and make it possible for students to gain insight into the historically evolved transcultural interconnections between Europe and the Islamic world. The digital content is supplemented by analog and digital workshops for school classes, training courses, a historical adventure game and the Common Future toolbox.
In this way, the museum wants to contribute to a respectful, inclusive society and to counter populist and extremist narratives. With the collaboration of teachers, artists, and partners, including the Leibniz Institute for Educational Media | Eckert Institute, various formats have been created for different participants in the field of education. They are available in the Digital Learning section of the Islamic·Art Online Portal.
The project, entitled Common Past, Common Future was funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, and Alwaleed Philanthropies.
The award ceremony, where the winning projects will be announced, takes place at the annual conference of the Deutscher Museumsbund (German Museum Association) on 9 May 2023 in Osnabrück. Attendance at the award ceremony is free of charge and can also be watched virtually via streaming.
The DigAMus Award recognises particularly successful digital services and content offered by museums in German-speaking countries. It is an important source of inspiration and food for thought. These services and content include all those aimed at visitors who use digital or hybrid (digital and analog) outreach tools while visiting museums and other GLAM institutions.
Europe in one corner, with the Islamic world far off in another one? This perception does not apply today and was already false centuries ago. Nonetheless, it remains stubbornly rooted in people’s minds, serving as a breeding ground for discrimination. This is precisely where the Museum für Islamische Kunst’s (Museum for Islamic Art) educational project Common Past – Common Future comes in. Its teaching materials increase awareness of transcultural interconnections, challenge misconceptions of foreignness and belonging, and help to dismantle discriminatory attitudes.
FFerda Ataman, Independent Federal Anti-Discrimination Commissioner
For many teachers, dealing with the topic of Islam in the classroom is a challenge. Academically sound, practical teaching materials that can be easily used digitally and in various subjects – this is exactly what we need as educators so that we can confidently address topics burdened with stereotypes.
Abdurrahman Kulaç, teacher of history, political science, geography, ethics and biology at the Wolfgang-Borchert School in Berlin-Spandau
When it comes to the subject of Islam, the schoolbooks focus mainly on extremism and terrorism. Yet for a successful coexistence, it is important that children and young people also learn about normal life in Islamic culture, about everyday activities and about the arts and sciences. Knowledge regarding such things can counter dangerous polarisation and serves as the basis for a peaceful life together.
Professor Riem Spielhaus, director of the Knowledge in Transition department at the Leibniz Institute for Educational Media | Georg Eckert Institute