![University employee Recep Aktas and teacher Mariam Sarwary report on their professional careers after studying at ZIT<address>© WWU - Heiner Witte</address>](http://www.uni-muenster.de/news/data/img/2022/10/12881-BB72P45Q-webL.jpg)
Career prospects as a researcher and as a teacher
“I like being able to think freely”
Islamic Theology contains many subsections, enabling students to acquire a variety of competences during their studies. The focus is on academic work because, as faith-led researchers, we wish to understand our faith in the context of the reality of our lives. The course of study not only provides opportunities to undertake practical work but also offers interdisciplinary teaching, with the focus on individual interests. Looking back, I have many positive memories of my studies. What I particularly like is that ZIT provides opportunities to think freely. Questions, or even criticisms, which other Muslim institutions are not fond of, are a matter of course at ZIT. As a result of taking a critical look at some aspects of my faith, I have been able to develop a stronger religious identity.
Recep Aktas has been working as a research associate at ZIT since 2022 and is currently engaged on his PhD.
“I learned how multi-faceted and diverse Islam is”
Before I began my studies, I was certain that I already knew a lot about my religion. After my studies, however, I realised how little I actually knew. This realisation that we are in a continuous learning process is also with me in my work. I learn both with and from my students. It was not until I started my studies that I realised how multi-faceted and diverse Islam is. What I particularly liked was reflecting, discussing and arguing together with others. This both challenged me and helped me advance – which is why I always think back with pleasure to my student days. My studies had an impact on me and on my career in that I learned one fundamental thing: humility. My studies sparked in me the aim to provide children and young people with a similar access to Islam and show them its diversity. Studying at ZIT was one of the best decisions I ever made, and it was a time I look back on with gratitude.
Mariam Sarwary was one of the first students at ZIT, beginning her studies in the winter semester 2012/13.
These contributions come from the university newspaper wissen|leben No. 6, 12 October 2022