The Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient (ZMO) conducts interdisciplinary research on the histories and societies of Islamic regions across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Drawing on years of experience, diverse approaches, and extensive fieldwork, ZMO’s researchers examine cultural, social, political, and economic processes from the 18th century to the present, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of ongoing global crises and the challenges they pose. Special attention is paid to colonial and post-colonial experiences and perspectives, as well as to overcoming Eurocentrism in scholarly discourse. The transfer of research findings to German society and politics is a central component of ZMO’s mission. Furthermore, the centre fosters a close connection between theory and practice and promotes a nuanced view of the Muslim world through a variety of high-impact public formats.

ZMO's research is cooperative in nature. This applies, on the one hand, to the cooperation between different disciplines – especially history, Islamic studies, sociology, and social and cultural anthropology, but also religious, cultural, and regional studies. On the other hand, it reflects the varied linguistic expertise of ZMO's researchers and the diversity of the team, which includes scholars from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. These aspects facilitate both rigorous research and the effective dissemination of research results within the target regions and across the Western research landscape. International cooperation – with academics in particular, but also with civil society actors from the regions of interest – is essential to ZMO’s work.