Overview

The role of Islam in the modern state and the interpretation and implementation of Shari'a law are widely debated. The concept of Liberalism, as taken from the ideological writings of Ahmad Amin (1886-1954) and Husayn Amin (1932-), offers a unique view on the development and reception of these issues in 20th century Egyptian thought. Makoto Mizutani here assesses the roles and contributions of these influential thinkers, and shows how together they can be seen as representative of the 'journey of liberalism' in the contemporary Arab world. Through their writings, the change in their respective times can be seen, thus presenting a paradigm shift: Ahmad Amin's Arab-Islamic perspective from the beginning of the 20th century and Husayn Amin's one nation perspective which emerged in the latter half of the century. Against the backdrop of recent developments in the region, the author places Liberalism against a broader socio-political context, and offers an original perspective - that in understanding the intellectual origins of Liberalism in Egypt, an insight can be gained into the future of contemporary Islamic thought, both within and outside the Arab world. Drawing on historical Arabic source materials and contemporary articles, the author analyses the ideological roots of the struggle towards Arab democratization and argues that, although recent movements appear innovative at first, they really derive from a century-old framework of Arab Islamic political notions and traditions. This book will prove essential reading for students and specialists of Middle Eastern history and politics, and especially to readers grappling to understand the elements of current upheavals in the region.

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9781780767277

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Liberalism in 20th Century Egyptian Thought: The Ideologies of Ahmad Amin and Husayn Amin is a study of the cultural and intellectual contribution made by two well-known figures, Ahmad Amin (1886-1954) and his son Husayn, born in 1932. Ahmad Amin is probably best known for his series of books on Islamic intellectual history beginning with Fajr al-Islam (1928), which has been translated into Persian, Uighur and Urdu and into most major European languages, and for his autobiography, Hayati. He also wrote several hundred short articles and essays in order to be able to communicate with a wider public. His son Husayn, born in 1932, has followed in his father's footsteps, using the article and essay to put forward his views on a range of topics in the fields of religion, history, politics and culture in the context of a Middle East that has radically changed since his father's day. Both men could be described as 'liberals' in the sense conveyed by Albert Hourani's Arabic Thought in the Liberal Age. Since the question of the 'proper' role of Islam in the modern state has been a major focus of the writings of both Ahmad and Husayn Amin, Dr Mizutani's study is of particular relevance at a moment when long-established 'secular' dictatorships have been overthrown and Islamist parties have been voted into power. - Professor Peter Sluglett, Visiting Research Professor, Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore Makoto Mizutani's book is original, learned, and it can hardly be more timely. The world is eager to see how the repressed Islamic movement now in power can merge its expectations with those who shared a nonviolent revolution that brought down the symbol of sixty years of an increasingly callous dictatorship. It is profoundly competent. The legacy of Ahmad and Husayn Amin is unique, and there is no better expert, including in Egypt, than Dr Mizutani, a distinguished Arabist scholar from Japan, to introduce them. It is highly original: there isu

Liberalism in 20th Century Egyptian Thought: The Ideologies of Ahmad Amin and Husayn Amin is a study of the cultural and intellectual contribution made by two well-known figures, Ahmad Amin (1886-1954) and his son Husayn, born in 1932. Ahmad Amin is probably best known for his series of books on Islamic intellectual history beginning with Fajr al-Islam (1928), which has been translated into Persian, Uighur and Urdu and into most major European languages, and for his autobiography, Hayati. He also wrote several hundred short articles and essays in order to be able to communicate with a wider public. His son Husayn, born in 1932, has followed in his father's footsteps, using the article and essay to put forward his views on a range of topics in the fields of religion, history, politics and culture in the context of a Middle East that has radically changed since his father's day. Both men could be described as 'liberals' in the sense conveyed by Albert Hourani's Arabic Thought in the Liberal Age. Since the question of the 'proper' role of Islam in the modern state has been a major focus of the writings of both Ahmad and Husayn Amin, Dr Mizutani's study is of particular relevance at a moment when long-established 'secular' dictatorships have been overthrown and Islamist parties have been voted into power. - Professor Peter Sluglett, Visiting Research Professor, Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore Makoto Mizutani's book is original, learned, and it can hardly be more timely. The world is eager to see how the repressed Islamic movement now in power can merge its expectations with those who shared a nonviolent revolution that brought down the symbol of sixty years of an increasingly callous dictatorship. It is profoundly competent. The legacy of Ahmad and Husayn Amin is unique, and there is no better expert, including in Egypt, than Dr Mizutani, a distinguished Arabist scholar from Japan, to introduce them. It is highly original: there isa

Author Information

Makoto Mizutani is an expert on Islamic and Middle Eastern affairs. He has published works in English, Arabic and Japanese. He is Academic Adviser to the Arabic and Islamic Institute in Tokyo, and holds a PhD in Middle East History from the University of Utah, USA.

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