Piously creative: Islam, art, and creativity in Stuttgart, Germany

Abstract Much has been said in recent years about Muslims in Europe. Most debates focus on controversies to do with Islam. Less is written about the creative contributions of pious Muslims to culture and society. This paper examines creative contributions of pious Muslims in Stuttgart, Germany. Over the past half century, Muslims have become creative urban contributors, cultural producers and stakeholders. Analysing exemplary artistic and creative contexts (mosque design, a creative cake-making, modest Islamic fashion), this paper explores artistic work and creative contributions of pious Muslims in Stuttgart. I illustrate how Muslims participate in urban cultural contexts and ingeniously remake urban spaces, materials culture and the broader cultural landscape. I argue that pious Muslims are relevant creative urban cultural producers. Theoretically, this paper situates religion in the realm of urban art and creativity, and inserts instances of faith-based/inspired creative expressions into debates about urban vernacular creative activities and universes.