Who doesn't like to escape now and then into the weird and inviting worlds of Science Fiction? Dr. Jörg Matthias Determann is an Associate Professor, whose research interests lie in the history of science and scholarship and in the history of the Muslim world. His most recent book is Islam, Science Fiction and Extraterrestrial Life. We were lucky enough to secure an interview with the highly experienced author and Professor.
Jörg please tell us a little about yourself
I grew up in Munich, Germany, and Vienna, Austria. My father worked in finance and my mother in education. My two brothers and I went to state schools close to home. I loved living in imaginary worlds, building spaceships with Lego, watching Star Trek and playing video games.
Below: Jörg, the boy.
How does it feel like to be a Professor in a country other than the one you were brought up in?
Being a teacher in a foreign country is amazing, because I am always a learner too. I am learning from my students at least as much as they are from me.
What do you think are the main differences between Germany and Qatar?
Germany is much bigger than Qatar. The latter can be compared to city-states like Singapore. Germany is also primarily an energy importer, while Qatar is an energy exporter. As such, the two countries complement one another very well. Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Germany has been looking to the small Gulf country as an alternative source of gas.
Do tell us about the King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic studies?
The King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies is a unique institution. It comprises a library, a museum, an archive and a publishing division. It brings scholars from across the world together and enables exchanges on a wide range of social, political, scientific and religious topics. I could not have written my doctoral thesis without its generous support.
When researching for a certain project, where on earth do you start? It must be so daunting!
Learning from people who know more about the topic, whether by reading their work or talking to them. Fortunately, I have access to excellent libraries, such as those of Virginia Commonwealth University and the Qatar National Library. Software like Zoom also allows me to interview experts without needing to travel.
You have presented in quite a few countries across the world. Do you get a different reception at each different country – or do you feel the world is one community learning for the same purpose regardless of where they are from?
Many people from different countries share a love for learning, a constant search for wisdom. I have sought out and found such students and scholars at any conference and university at which I have ever spoken.
Below: A younger Jörg visits Tunisia.
What drives you?
I am driven by insatiable curiosity. I love asking questions and finding out more about areas that I do not fully understand (which includes everything in this universe). I have a special interest in other cultures, other religions and other civilizations (whether on Earth or in outer space). I hope that some of the knowledge I share also contributes to mutual understanding and peace between nations.
In your most recent book, you talk about the writer Umar al-Asghar identifying the Jinn with flying Saucers (page 129), could you please elaborate on this?
Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and Jinn are mysterious entities. Many people strongly believe in their existence, although it has not yet been scientifically proven. There are other similarities, such as stories of abductions by jinn and aliens or sexual relations between humans and these creatures. Although the mythology surrounding the jinn is much older, there have been sufficient parallels for Umar al-Ashqar and other scholars to draw connections between modern spacecraft and ancient demons.
You mention the work of the American – Pakistani data scientist Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmed, whose work is inspired from Islam and Muslim cultures. Do you think Muslim futurism will be shaped by Islam, Arabic language and culture, and if so, to what extent?
Islam and the Arabic language and culture have given rise to innovative forms of art and architecture for centuries. New styles inspired by Arab and Muslim traditions have flourished in places as far apart as Andalusia, India and Indonesia. The Arab and Muslim world is still incredibly vibrant and an endless source for future-oriented aesthetics.
You talk about these influences at various times – is there an appetite for this sort of futurism? What are the barriers?
There is an enormous appetite for futurism. See, for example, the Dubai Expo 2020 in the United Arab Emirates or Neom in Saudi Arabia. The Arab Gulf states in particular have the financial resources for futuristic megaprojects. The main barrier might be questions over the environmental sustainability of the most extravagant and energy-intensive initiatives.
Your book mentions that certain Qatar buildings made you ponder about Muslims and science fiction. Is architecture a key determinant in society? What other buildings make you sense a foreboding of futurism (perhaps the Cologne Central Mosque has been cited as an example of a futuristic building – that is in your native Germany)?
Architecture enables and constrains ways of living, especially in cities. I love futuristic places of worship, whether the Cologne Central Mosque in Germany or the Education City Mosque in Qatar. They show that Islam does not need to be conservative and is unlikely to disappear with scientific, technological and social progress.
To what extent Jörg do you believe that politics is at play in science fiction?
Science fiction is often political. Especially in authoritarian states, novelists can avoid censorship by setting their plots in distant times and places. They can thus mask their social criticism with a veneer of fiction. They can also imagine new political and economic systems that have not been realized on our planet.
What practical steps can people take to create science-fiction from their heritage?
They can learn from some of the masters of speculative fiction like J. R. R. Tolkien and Frank Herbert. Tolkien and Herbert drew on Anglo-Saxon and Arabian heritage for building the fantastic worlds of The Lord of the Rings and Dune respectively.
Is Science-Fiction too heavily influenced by American writers and Hollywood? If so what can be done to stem this tide?
American writers and Hollywood have a huge influence on the imagination of people around the world. However, America itself has been a country of immigrants. Its most successful cultural products, such as Star Wars, have drawn not just on Western, but also on Eastern traditions. Nonetheless, I do encourage people to read speculative fiction in languages other than English.
Thank you so much for the interview, finally, what is your favourite food and what causes are close to your heart?
Revealing my Central European origin, my favourite dish is probably muesli. I subscribe to academic and creative freedom, peace and open borders.
The City Bugle Team agree that Professor Jorg is such a nice and pleasant person. You may want to obtain a copy of his book Islam, Science Fiction and Extraterrestrial Life.
To underline how nice and lovely the Professor is, we have linked below Jörg's heart-warming article about kindness in the classroom. Wouldn't it be so lovely to be taught by a teacher such as Jörg?
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