Lena Larsen

Director The Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief
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Phone 22842045
Mobile phone 91624823
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I am an historian of religion by education from the University of Oslo, Cand. Mag (first cycle degree) with the subjects Spanish, Arabic and art history (1987), Cand Philol (Second cycle degree) with history of religion and Arabic, and with the thesis Welcome to a large family. Islam and conversion in the Norwegian context (1995). I defended my PhD dissertation in 2011. The dissertation is the basis for How Muftis Think. Islamic Legal Thought and Muslim Women in Western Europe (BRILL 2018). The focus of the book is how muftis think when they give fatwas to questions from Muslim women in Western Europe.

In the capacity of being the director of the Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief since 1999, I have contributed to the development of a principled thinking on the promotion of freedom of religion and belief: That freedom of religion and belief is a good for all, and that no one should be discriminated against or exposed to harmful practices because of religion or belief; that the right to freedom of religion and belief is connected with other rights in many and hitherto unexplored fields, including freedom of religion and gender justice, freedom of religion and freedom of expression and freedom of religion and children's rights. Experience from the Oslo Coalition's work has also taught me the importance and role of academia in promoting freedom of religion and belief through knowledge building, publishing and competence building.

I have been coordinating the project New Directions in Islamic Thought with esteemed colleagues since 2003, and co-edited the publications New Directions in Islamic Thought. Exploring Reform and Muslim Tradition (2009), Gender and Equality in Muslim Family Law. Justice and Ethics in the Islamic Legal Tradition (2013), and Freedom of Expression in Islam. Challenging Blasphemy and Apostasy Laws (2021). I am currently working with the project: New Directions in Islamic Thought. The best Interest of the Child.

Research interests

  • Islam in Europe
  • Islamic jurisprudence with focus on fatwas
  • Islam and gender
  • Freedom of religion or belief
  • Islamic art

Member of

  • editorial board, Journal of Muslims in Europe
  • the advisory committee for a continuing education program for religious leaders with a foreign background, Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo,.

Selected Lectures

25.-26.06.18 ‘Islam and Marriage in the West. The case of France’ at the conference Reformulating Matrimony in Islamic law. New Questions and Responses among Muslims in Europe. The Oxford Research Centre for Humanities, University of Oxford.

20.08.15: ‘Islam, Reform and Modernity. Religious Reasoning and common modern Morality’. Key note lecture in Muslim and Islam in European Modernity, research seminar at Durham university, UK.

18.12.10 ‘Muslim and European Values: Is there a real Incompatibility?’ Conference in Barcelona by CEOM (Conseil Européen des Ouléma Marocains), Brussels, in partnership with the Union of Cultural and Islamic centres in Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain

03.12.10 Panellist with Leyla Ahmed, presented ‘The Muslim Woman and Feminism: A Voice of her own’, Feminist Forum, MIRA-senteret, Resource Centre for Migrant Women

08.09.10 ‘Hijab: A Human Right, a Symbol of Religious Identity or Suppression?’ IMDI-seminar at the launch of the report of At Home in Europe: Muslims in Europe: A Report on 11 EU Cities

26.05.10 ‘Does Religion have to be Respected?’ Cultural Complexity in the New Norway seminar, University of Oslo, House of Literature

27.03.07 ‘Fiqh Facing Everyday Challenges: The Contemporary Discourse on Islam and Women in a Historical Perspective’ at ‘Problems of the Muslim World and their Treatment within the Context of Globalization’, The XIX Conference of the The Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Ministry of Endowment, Egypt

 

 

Tags: Human Rights, Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), The Oslo Coalition

Publications

  • Larsen, Lena; Masud, Muhammad Khalid; Vogt, Kari & Moe, Christian (2023). Pendahuluan. In Larsen, Lena; Masud, Muhammad Khalid; Vogt, Kari & Moe, Christian (Ed.), Kebebebasan Berekspresi Dalam Islam: Menggugat Hukum Kemurtadan dan Penodaan Agama. Mizan. ISSN 978-602-441-317-0. p. 17–38.
  • Larsen, Lena; Masud, Muhammad Khalid; Vogt, Kari & Moe, Christian (2022). Uvod. In Larsen, Lena; Masud, Muhammad Khalid; Vogt, Kari & Moe, Christian (Ed.), Sloboda Izrazavanja u Islamu: Opsproavnje zakona o apostasziji i blasfemiji. Center for Advanced Studies. ISSN 978-9926-471-47-7. p. 15–30.
  • Larsen, Lena (2018). Mekka. Universets sentrum, lengslenes by. In Butenschøn, Nils A (Eds.), Brennpunkt Midtøsten. Byene som prisme. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 978-82-15-02812-5. p. 111–129.
  • Larsen, Lena (2017). Religionsvitenskap som metodisk tilnærming til fremme av retten til tros- og livssynsfrihet. In Lothe, Jakob (Eds.), Forsking og menneskerettar. Novus Forlag. ISSN 978-82-7099-884-5. p. 131–141.
  • Vogt, Kari; Larsen, Lena; Moe, Christian & Mir-Hosseini, Ziba (2013). Introduction: Muslim Family Law and the Question of Equality. In Vogt, Kari; Larsen, Lena; Moe, Christian & Mir-Hosseini, Ziba (Ed.), Gender and Equality in Muslim Family Law. I.B. Tauris. ISSN 978 1 84885 922 7. p. 1–6. doi: 10.5040/9780755609277.0005.
  • Larsen, Lena (2010). Islamic jurisprudence and transnational flows: exploring the European Council for Fatwa and Research. In Hellum, Anne; Ali, Shaheen Sardar & Griffiths, Anne (Ed.), From Transnational Relations to Transnational Laws. Northern European Laws at the Cross Roads. Ashgate. ISSN 978-1-4094-1896-2. p. 139–165.
  • Larsen, Lena (2009). The Muslim Brothers in Europe: Roots and Discourse. By Brigitte Marechal. Leiden: Brill, 2008. Yearbook of Muslims in Europe. ISSN 1877-1432. p. 550–553.
  • Vogt, Kari; Larsen, Lena & Moe, Christian (2009). Can the State enforce Shari'a? A discussion in Yogyakarta. In Vogt, Kari; Larsen, Lena & Moe, Christian (Ed.), New Directions in Islamic Thought. Exploring Reform and Muslim Tradition. I.B. Tauris. ISSN 9781845117399. p. 209–219.
  • Vogt, Kari; Larsen, Lena & Moe, Christian (2008). Introduction. In Vogt, Kari; Larsen, Lena & Moe, Christian (Ed.), New Directions in Islamic Thought. Exploring Reform and Muslim Tradition. I.B. Tauris. ISSN 978-1-84511-739-9. p. 1–6.
  • Vogt, Kari; Larsen, Lena & Moe, Christian (2008). Can the state enforce Shari'a? - A discussion in Yogyakarta. In Vogt, Kari; Larsen, Lena & Moe, Christian (Ed.), New Directions in Islamic Thought. Exploring Reform and Muslim Tradition. I.B. Tauris. ISSN 978-1-84511-739-9. p. 209–219.
  • Larsen, Lena (2004). Tekst, tolkning og sosial endring. In Høstmælingen, Njål (Eds.), Hijab i Norge Trussel eller menneskerett?. Abstrakt forlag. ISSN 8279351558. p. 52–65.
  • Larsen, Lena (2003). Norsk eller muslim - eller begge deler? Norsk Tidsskrift for Misjon. ISSN 0029-2214.

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  • Larsen, Lena; Masud, Muhammad Khalid; Vogt, Kari & Moe, Christian (2023). Kebebebasan Berekspresi Dalam Islam: Menggugat Hukum Kemurtadan dan Penodaan Agama. Mizan. ISBN 978-602-441-317-0. 374 p.
  • Larsen, Lena; Masud, Muhammad Khalid; Vogt, Kari & Moe, Christian (2022). Sloboda Izrazavanja u Islamu: Opsproavnje zakona o apostasziji i blasfemiji. Center for Advanced Studies. ISBN 978-9926-471-47-7. 298 p.
  • Larsen, Lena; Pratiwi, Cekli S.; Scharffs, Brett G. & Lindholm, Tore (2022). "Ham Syariat: Sebuah Kajian" "Sharia and Human Rights: A Courseboook" . Mizan. ISBN 978-602-441-167-1. 880 p.
  • Larsen, Lena; Masud, Muhammad Khalid; Vogt, Kari & Moe, Christian (2021). Freedom of Expression in Islam. Challenging Blasphemy and Apostasy Laws. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 978-1-78453-857-6. 253 p.
  • Larsen, Lena (2018). How Muftis Think. Islamic Legal Thought and Muslim Women in Western Europe. Brill Academic Publishers. ISBN 978-90-04-36779-1.
  • Vogt, Kari; Larsen, Lena; Moe, Christian & Mir-Hosseini, Ziba (2013). Gender and Equality in Muslim Family Law. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 978 1 84885 922 7. 279 p.
  • Vogt, Kari; Larsen, Lena & Moe, Christian (2009). New Directions in Islamic Thought. Exploring Reform and Muslim Tradition. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 9781845117399. 276 p.
  • Vogt, Kari; Larsen, Lena & Moe, Christian (2008). New Directions in Islamic Thought. Exploring Reform and Muslim Tradition. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 978-1-84511-739-9. 276 p.
  • Lindholm, Tore; Durham, W. Cole; Tahzib-Lie, Bahia; Sewell, Elizabeth A. & Larsen, Lena (2004). Facilitating Freedom of Religion or Belief: A Deskbook. Kluwer Academic Publishers. ISBN 90-04-13783-1. 1103 p.
  • Rasmussen, Lissi & Larsen, Lena (2004). Islam, kristendom og det moderne: en antologi. Tiderne Skifter. ISBN 87-7973-082-5. 224 p.
  • Eidsvåg, Inge & Larsen, Lena (1997). Religion, livssyn og menneskerettigheter i Norge. Universitetsforlaget. ISBN 82-00-12779-6.

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  • Larsen, Lena (2022). "Islam, Kebebasan Beragama atau Berkeyakinan, dan Kesetaraan Gender" "Islam, Freedom of Religion or Belief and Gender Equality" . In Larsen, Lena; Pratiwi, Cekli S.; Scharffs, Brett G. & Lindholm, Tore (Ed.), "Ham Syariat: Sebuah Kajian" "Sharia and Human Rights: A Courseboook" . Mizan. ISSN 978-602-441-167-1. p. 66 (523)–89 (543).
  • Larsen, Lena; Pratiwi, Cekli S.; Scharffs, Brett G. & Lindholm, Tore (2022). Pengantar dan Ucapan Termia Kasih Foreword and Aknowledgements . In Larsen, Lena; Pratiwi, Cekli S.; Scharffs, Brett G. & Lindholm, Tore (Ed.), "Ham Syariat: Sebuah Kajian" "Sharia and Human Rights: A Courseboook" . Mizan. ISSN 978-602-441-167-1. p. XIV (455)–XX (461).
  • Larsen, Lena (2021). "Pisk eller gulrot til moskeene?". Avisa Vårt land.
  • Larsen, Lena (2021). Marianne Hafnor Bøe "Feminisme i islam". Nordic Journal of Religion and Society. ISSN 0809-7291. doi: 10.18261/issn.1890-7008.2021-01-05.
  • Larsen, Lena & Raadim, Kathrine (2020). Religionsfrihet som skalkeskjul for diskriminering. Aftenposten (morgenutg. : trykt utg.). ISSN 0804-3116.
  • Larsen, Lena (2015). Key note lecture: Islam, Reform and Modernity: Religious Reasoning and Modern Common Morality.
  • Larsen, Lena (2015). Fatwas on Spousal Roles and Rights.
  • Larsen, Lena (2015). 'Men are the protectors and maintainers of women...': Three fatwas on spousal roles and rights. In Mir-Hosseini, Ziba; Al-Sharmani, Mulki & Rumminger, Jana (Ed.), Men in charge? Rethinking authority in Muslim legal tradition. Oneworld publisher. ISSN 9781780747163. p. 197–218.
  • Larsen, Lena (2014). The New Religious Intolerance. Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age. Nordic Journal of Human Rights. ISSN 1891-8131. 32(4), p. 406–408. doi: 10.1080/18918131.2015.957474.
  • Larsen, Lena (2013). Interpretation facing Everyday Challenges: Economy and Gender in Marriage in Islam.
  • Larsen, Lena (2012). Et paradis for alle? Klassekampen. ISSN 0805-3839. p. 3–3.
  • Larsen, Lena (2012). Sharia og ekteskap. Et innblikk gjennom kvinnerelaterte fatwaer.
  • Larsen, Lena (2012). A fatwa on marriage: French style.
  • Larsen, Lena (2011). Islam og utvikling av kvinners rettigheter.
  • Larsen, Lena (2011). Islam and Freedom of Religion and Belief in a Gender Perspective.
  • Larsen, Lena (2011). Mine, dine, våre verdier. Klassekampen. ISSN 0805-3839. p. 3–3.
  • Larsen, Lena (2006). Intervu om fatwaer og kvinner rettigheter i magasinartikkelen "Fatwafabrikken" (s. 32-39). [Newspaper]. Dagens Næringsliv.
  • Larsen, Lena (2006). Paneldeltagelse: Religion/livssyn og statsmakten i framtidens norske samfunn.
  • Plesner, Ingvill Thorsen & Larsen, Lena (2004). Intervju i Vårt Land med tittel 'Provoseres til å bære skaut', basert på innledninger på SMR-seminaret 'Bruk av Hijab i Norge' på Folkets Hus i Oslo 2.mars 2004. [Newspaper]. Vårt Land.
  • Moe, Christian; Masud, Muhammad Khalid; Vogt, Kari & Larsen, Lena (2021). Religion without Compulsion: Knowledge to Challenge Blasphemy and Apostasy Laws. 7Letras.
  • Larsen, Lena (2011). Islamsk rettstenkning i møte med dagliglivets utfordringer. Fatwaer som løsningsforslag for muslimske kvinner i Vest-Europa. Nauka.
  • Plesner, Ingvill Thorsen & Larsen, Lena (2003). Teaching for Tolerance and Freedom of Religion or Belief. Report from the preparatory Seminar held in Oslo December 7.-9. 2002. The Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religon.

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Published Jan. 20, 2009 9:28 AM - Last modified Mar. 27, 2023 11:02 AM

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