Babès Leïla

Leïla BABÈS

s	University Professor in Sociology of Religions Catholic University of Lille & Inter-university Institute for the History of Religions, Lille, France PhD in Political Science, Authorized to supervise research Specialties: Sociology of Religions, Political Science, Contemporary Islam

Origins & Education

Leïla Babès was born on March 22, 1953, in Guelma, Algeria, into a family she describes as "both liberal and versed in religious knowledge." This family origin profoundly shapes her intellectual trajectory: "A family where much tolerance reigned," she specifies, emphasizing the determining influence of this environment on her nuanced vision of religious issues.

Her academic journey leads her to political science, a field in which she obtains her doctorate. She then continues her research in sociology of religions, a discipline that becomes her main field of expertise. This multidisciplinary training allows her to approach religious phenomena with both a political and sociological approach, particularly relevant for analyzing contemporary Islam in France.

Her authorization to supervise research in sociology of religions confirms her academic stature and opens the way to higher education and research supervision. This thorough training constitutes the foundation of her future career as a recognized researcher and teacher.

Scientific Career

Leïla Babès holds the position of University Professor at the Catholic University of Lille, where she teaches sociology of religions. Simultaneously, she also works at the Inter-university Institute for the History of Religions in Lille, an institution that testifies to the interdisciplinary approach she favors in her research.

As director of the department of religious studies, she plays a pioneering role by initiating training in "History and Social Sciences of Islam." This pedagogical innovation responds to a growing need for academic understanding of Islam in the French and European context, demonstrating her ability to anticipate contemporary societal issues.

Her research work covers several interconnected domains: religion and female devotions, Islam and secularization in France, human rights and women, as well as political power and violence. This last theme finds its culmination in her major work "The Utopia of Islam. Religion against the State" (2011), which analyzes tensions between religious aspirations and political realities.

Currently, her research focuses on the theologico-political and the question of salvation, with a particular focus on the status of Jesus in Islam. This orientation testifies to her constant interest in complex theological questions and their impact on interreligious relations.

Her research method is characterized by an empirical and field approach, seeking to understand contemporary religious practices rather than limiting herself to classical texts. This approach allows her to grasp the evolutions and adaptations of Islam in the French context.

Distinctions & Recognition

Leïla Babès' work is distinguished by a rich and diversified scientific production, testifying to her recognition in the French and international academic field. Her publications cover more than two decades of in-depth research on contemporary Islam.

Main Works:

• "New Ways of Believing. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, New Religiosities" (edited by Leila Babès), Éditions de l'Atelier, 1996 - A pioneering comparative analysis of contemporary religious evolutions.
• "Positive Islam, the Religion of Young French Muslims", Éditions de l'Atelier, 1997 - A groundbreaking study on the religious practice of young Muslim generations in France.
• "Interior Islam. Passion and Disenchantment", Éditions Al-Bouracq, Paris, 2000 - An exploration of contemporary Muslim spirituality and its transformations.
• "Allah's Law, Men's Law. Freedom, Equality, and Women in Islam" (with T. Oubrou), Albin Michel, 2002 - An analysis of gender issues in contemporary Islam, written in collaboration with Imam Tareq Oubrou.
• "The Veil Demystified", Bayard, 2004 - A deconstruction of representations around veil wearing, a major contribution to French public debate.
• "The Utopia of Islam. Religion against the State", Armand Colin, 2011 - Her most recognized work, analyzing tensions between religious ideal and political reality.

These publications, translated into several languages, testify to the international recognition of her work. She is regularly invited to international conferences and her analyses are cited by numerous European and North American researchers.

Her position as University Professor and her authorization to supervise research constitute institutional recognition of her expertise. She has trained numerous doctoral students and continues to supervise theses on contemporary Islam issues.

Impact & Influence

Leïla Babès' influence extends far beyond the academic framework to the French public debate on Islam. Her nuanced analyses contribute to a finer understanding of Muslim realities in France, far from the usual media simplifications.

In the academic field, she has contributed to legitimizing the sociological study of Islam in France, paving the way for a new generation of researchers. Her methodological approach, combining scientific rigor and empathy for the actors studied, has become influential and impacts numerous contemporary works.

Her impact on public policies manifests through her regular expertise with French and European institutions. Her in-depth knowledge of French Muslim communities makes her a privileged interlocutor for political decision-makers seeking to understand contemporary issues.

At the international level, her work contributes to debates on Islam in Europe and participates in scientific exchanges between European, North American, and Muslim world researchers. She represents an original French voice in these global debates.

Her pedagogical influence is also measured through the training in "History and Social Sciences of Islam" that she initiated, training future specialists capable of analyzing contemporary religious phenomena with social science tools.

Finally, her work of intellectual mediation, notably through her collaborations with religious figures like Tareq Oubrou, demonstrates her ability to create bridges between the academic world and communities of believers, thus contributing to interreligious dialogue and mutual understanding.

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Biography compiled from public sources - Last updated: 2025