Islamic-themed pop, creativity and ethics

Over the last twenty-five years, Professor Jonas Otterbeck has engaged in research about contemporary Islam, often with political relevance. His most recent research is on Islamic pop music and especially the media company Awakening and its artists like Maher Zain, Harris J and Raef. He also has an interest in research on music censorship and an engagement for artists’ right to expression.
Professor Otterbeck has, among other things, published on the situation of Muslim pupils in Swedish schools, the identity constructions of Muslim youth and their understanding of Islam, the representation of Islam and Muslims in Sweden, Islamic revivalist discourse, active citizenship among Muslims, and the relation between European states and Muslim organizations.

Experience
Before moving to AKU–ISMC in September 2018, Professor Otterbeck was professor of Islamic studies at Lund University, Sweden. Prior to that he was working as lecturer at International Migration and Ethnic Relations at Malmö University, Sweden.

Current areas of teaching
Creativity and Islam, gender, Muslims in Europe, methodology and culture studies.