The aim of the conference was to present the current empirical findings in Islamic religious education and to promote dialogue between theory and practice within the discipline. The event provided a platform for exchange between researchers and teachers in the field of Islamic religious education, which has developed significantly in recent years with the help of empirical findings. An "empirical turn" can be observed, with an increased focus on closing the theory-practice gap.

Empirical reviews of theoretical-didactic approaches are highly relevant to determine whether and to what extent they can achieve positive effects in practice. In order to achieve this goal, empirical studies must start directly with teachers and learners and focus on their experiences, attitudes and dispositions. The point is to constructively engage with the realities of life in order to create a solid foundation for theory building.

In addition to lectures and commentaries by Dr Mehmet Hilmi Tuna, Dr Darjusch Bartsch, Jun.-Prof. Dr Naciye Kamcili-Yildiz, Jun.-Prof. Dr Annett Abdel-Rahman, Dr Mevlida Mešanović, Dr Selcen Güzel, Prof. Dr Fahimah Ulfat and Prof. Dr Ednan Aslan, the conference offered the opportunity for constructive exchange and critical discussion.

The focus was on various topics, such as concepts for cooperation between the faith communities and the state, the professionalisation of Islamic religious education teachers, correlation in Islamic religious education from an interreligious perspective, competence orientation in Islamic religious education, the development of interreligious competences among Islamic religious education teachers as well as the self-assessment of Muslim children and young people in Islamic education. The speakers presented their research and presented extraordinarily relevant and innovative findings on religious education and its challenges in a plural society. It became clear that Islamic religious education is increasingly developing its own empirical approaches that take into account theological differences as well as the status of Islam in Western and Central European societies.

In the course of the discussions, practical insights were also discussed, enabling participants to gain concrete ideas and suggestions for their religious education work. The conference showed that an open and interdisciplinary dialogue between theory and practice is necessary to continuously develop Islamic religious education and to adapt it to the reality of Muslim students' lives.

On behalf of the Department of Islamic-Theological Studies, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the presentation of the exciting and highly topical findings and the active participation of those present.