HAMED ABDEL-SAMAD

"With God On Their Side. The Ominous Alliance of Politics and Religion" book premiere

Hamed Abdel-Samad writes about his fear that the separation of power and religion is not only on the retreat, but is coming to an end. His new book is a disturbing stocktaking. Book premiere and discussion.

Authoritarian governments around the world are joining forces with fundamentalist movements. This is not a new development in the Islamic world. What is more surprising is the extent to which Putin's regime is supported by the Russian Orthodox Church. The development in the USA is shocking. Xi Jinping secures his power in Beijing with the help of Confucianism, Netanyahu governs with the support of Orthodox members of parliament. Right-wing populists and anti-liberal faiths are also making common cause in Europe. Hamed Abdel-Samad's book is a disturbing stocktaking. He fears that the enlightenment project, the separation of power and religion, is not only on the retreat, but is coming to an end.

"With God On Their Side" will be published in October 2026, dtv Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG.