Kari Vogt (1934—2024)

Kari Vogt has passed away peacefully after a long and rich life.

She was an outstanding scholar of religion and a profound researcher, with particular expertise in Islam and the Coptic church. She introduced new and original approaches to the field, especially concerning religion and human rights.

As early as 1992, she collaborated with Tore Lindholm (now emeritus) on the research program «The Cross-Cultural Foundations of Human Rights and Their Implementation in Multi-Cultural Social Contexts» at the Norwegian Institute of Human Rights. This work resulted in the book Islamic Law Reform and Human Rights in 1993, which shaped her contribution to and the establishment of the Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief in 1999. The Oslo Coalition found a home at Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, University of Oslo, and has ever since been an important collaboration between academia, the Church of Norway, and the Council for Religious and Life Stance Communities.

Kari Vogt became a member of the Oslo Coalition's board and at one point also its leader. She used her extensive expertise to develop innovative approaches in the field of religion and human rights. As part of her work, she was instrumental in ensuring access to texts by Yusuf Eshkevari (Iran) on Islam and democracy, and promoted the idea of reform of Islamic thought from within. This led to the establishment of the project “New Directions in Islamic Thought”, in collaboration with Tore Lindholm (NCHR), Ziba Mir-Hosseini (UK), the late Fikret Karcic (University of Sarajevo), and Lena Larsen.

Kari facilitated discussions and contributions from Muslims engaged in various topics related to Islam and human rights, and co-edited the volumes New Directions in Islamic Thought: Exploring Islamic Reform and Tradition, Gender and Equality in Muslim Family Law: Islamic Ethics in the Legal Process, and Freedom of Expression in Islam: Challenging Blasphemy and Apostasy Laws. She also contributed greatly to the project «New Directions in Christian Orthodox Thought», creating a unique platform for academics and clergy from different church communities. Among the topics addressed by this project were canonical territory; gender, sexuality, and pastoral care; and the Orthodox church and democracy.

Kari was also an outstanding mentor showing great care for her students. Among her students was Lena Larsen, director of the Oslo Coalition on freedom of religion or belief, whom she supervised to a doctoral degree and the volume How Muftis Think: Islamic Legal Thinking and Muslim Women in Western Europe.

Kari Vogt leaves behind an important legacy: deep insight into the core of religions and world views combined with sober scientific objectivity. We shall miss her sharp wit, adventurous nature, and never-ending appetite for knowledge. The Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief will strive to uphold her legacy.

Rest in peace.

Tore Lindholm

Lena Larsen