scharia in Germany

Abstract

The article first outlines the legally defined foundations of a religion‑open secular con­stitutional state in Germany. It then examines the possibilities and limits of apply­ing religious norms of Islamic Sharia that fall under the generally applicable freedom of religion. This is followed by an account of the legal framework – either mandated or permitted in Germany – for applying Sharia‑based legal norms at various levels of private law. The article concludes with remarks on the challenges this poses for academic scholarship.