The award is presented by Deutschen Morgenländischen Gesellschaft (Sektion Islamwissenschaft) [The German Oriental Society -- Section Islamic Studies], for particularly outstanding academic research and was based on the research work of the last 5 years.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. Kara! 

In the committee's announcement, it says (here our translation of the German statement): "In his impressive work, Cem Kara offers a differentiated new history of the Sufi order of the Bektashiya and their diverse geographical and cultural ties. In doing so, he makes an important contribution to the history of interconnectedness. Based on archival material from Turkey, Albania and the USA, for example, he traces processes of Islamisation, demarcation from non-Muslim religions as well as Alevi Bektashiisation within the framework of Turkish nationalism and discusses how the Bektashis become a figurehead in Western Oriental studies, among missionaries, but also among new religious movements. In the process, he clearly identifies the limits of his source material and points out the differences between history and historical narratives, discusses representations, transfer and adaptation of thought patterns and delves into spheres of contact and their effects on the actors."

Dr. Kara's publication is available from Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.

You can also find the award on the DMG website (in German).