Newsletter — May 2021

Dear friends,

The year 2021 will definitely be a year of changes in our team in Cairo. After twenty-four years as director of the IDEO’s library, René-Vincent du Grandlaunay, OP passes the torch to Mateus Domingues Da Silva, OP (photo) and takes a few sabbatical months. Through his efforts and uninterrupted work, René-Vincent has not only opened up the library’s acquisition policy to the Arab World in general, but he has also developed a cataloguing application capable of honoring the genius of the Arab-Muslim heritage and has built a working team of more than fifteen persons today.

Mateus is Brazilian. He has just defended his doctoral thesis on the mystical philosopher Šihāb al-Dīn al-Suhrawardī (d. 587/1191) at McGill University, Montreal under the supervision of Robert Wisnovsky. We wish him all the best in the task ahead and we assure him of the support of the whole team. To help him in his responsibilities, he will be assisted by Ms. Engy Elgammal, who will succeed Mr. Mohamed Malchouch in September as cataloging director.

Lectures

On May 12ᵗʰ, Emmanuel Pisani, OP participated in the Popular Digital University organized by the Foundation of Islam in France (FIF) with Mr. Omero Marongiu and Mr. Ghaleb Bencheikh, on the topic of “Spiritualties facing the ecological question”. Click here to watch the video on the FIF Facebook page (in French)…

On May 17ᵗʰ, Mr. Dominique Avon gave a lecture entitled “Freedom of conscience in Egypt and in the whole Arab World”, organized by the Friends of the IDEO. Click here to watch the lecture on YouTube (in French)…

On May 21ˢᵗ, Emilio Platti, OP gave an online lecture entitled “An assessment of Llull’s interreligious endeavors from a contemporary perspective”, during the conference organized by the KU Leuven university on Ramon Llull.

Research seminar

On May 21ˢᵗ, as part of the research seminar ”Representations of Islam: views and panchronic experiences” organized at the University of Strasbourg, Ms. Anne-Sylvie Boisliveau and Ms. Salomé Deboos invited Mr. Pierre Lory from the École pratique des Hautes-Études to speak on the topic of “Origins and development of Islamic mysticism (2ⁿᵈ‒4ᵗʰ/8ᵗʰ‒10ᵗʰ centuries)”.

IFAO-IDEO (pre-)doctoral scholarship 2021‒2022

We are pleased to announce the grant of the third edition of the joint IFAO-IDEO (pre-)doctoral scholarship to Mr. Mickael Massey, from the University of Strasbourg. His research project focuses on 6ᵗʰ/12ᵗʰ-century Andalusian literature (adab): methods of compiling knowledge, collections of prose and anthologies.

Workshop

On May 19ᵗʰ, Mr. Emad Habib, head of the manuscript cataloging team at the Arab Manuscripts Institute, Mr. Magdy Yackoub, developer of the Diamond cataloging application, and Jean Druel, OP led a workshop at the IFAO on manuscripts cataloging for a group of Coptic Orthodox monks.

Publications

  • Guillaume de Vaulx et Nibras Chehayed, La destructivité en œuvres, essai sur l’art syrien contemporain, Beyrouth : Presses de l’Ifpo, 2021, 208 pages.
  • Jean Jacques Pérennès, « Pierre Claverie et Christian de Chergé, deux regards sur le mystère de l’islam », Islamochristiana, 45 (2018), pages 191‒203.
  • Jean Jacques Pérennès, « Jacques Jomier (1914‒2018), Dialog über das Kennen und Verstehen der muslimischen Kultur vor Ort », Wegbereiter des Interreligiösen Dialogs, Band III (Petrus Bsteh, Brigitte Procksch ed.), Wien, LIT Verlag, 2020, pages 163‒172.

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Newsletter February 2025

“In the beginning was the Word”: this is the topic of the 56ᵗʰ edition of the Cairo International Book Fair, which this year honored the Sultanate of Oman. As every year, our teams gathered with enthusiasm. By 6 a.m., the cataloguers were hard at work recording the titles and authors of the books acquired the previous day. At 9:30 a.m., under the direction of Brother Mateus, accompanied by Mr. Magdi Azab, reference cataloguers, and storeroom staff, a team embarked on the methodical exploration of the aisles, scrutinizing the new publications from each publishing house. This year, the Fair brought together 80 countries, 1,345 publishing houses, and over 6,150 exhibitors. Brother Mateus, more than in previous years, selected numerous studies that will enrich our documentary collection. Among the pleasant discoveries, we found an old edition of the Rasāʾil Iḫwān al-ṣafā by ʿĀrif Tāmer. This acquisition complements our collection dedicated to this philosophical encyclopedia, the importance of which for the transmission of knowledge in Islamic intellectual history continues to be confirmed. We also purchased Arabic translations of Turkish and Iranian texts and studies of remarkable quality. All these works will gradually be integrated into Diamond throughout the year, and the first integrations are already available for consultation on our website. Anawati Chair Sībawayh Seminar On January 25ᵗʰ, Jean Druel, OP inaugurated the first session of the “Sībawayh Seminar” by inviting Professor Ramzi Baalbaki from the American University of Beirut to present his latest book, Muqawwimāt al-naẓariyya al-luġawiyya al-ʿarabiyya (“Foundations of Arabic Linguistic Theory”, AUB Press, 2025). The aim of this monthly seminar is to invite researchers from the Arab world and occidental world to present their research on Sībawayh (d. ca. 180/796) and his grammar treatise. The seminar was held in partnership with the Institute for the Study of Islam and Societies of the Muslim World (IISMM). Seminar al-Azhar Center for French Language Teaching (CEF) On January 30ᵗʰ, we welcomed about thirty students and faculty members from al-Azhar in the seminar room at IDEO, who came to attend a seminar led by Mr. Grégory Vandamme, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chester and beneficiary of the IFI-IDEO-IFAO research scholarship. His talk was on the following topic: “Current Western Studies on Ibn ʿArabī: What Topics, What Methods, What Debates?”. Researcher Mobility Assistance The scientific council of IDEO granted mobility assistance to researcher Mr. Khaled Mustafa for his work on the historical, economic, and political relations between Sweden and Novgorod during the 13ᵗʰ and 14ᵗʰ centuries. Academic Talks Emmanuel Pisani, OP was invited to participate in the conference entitled “Environmental Challenges in Premodern Eurasian and Mediterranean Narratives”, directed by Ms. Ines Peta, which was held at the University of Bologna on January 14ᵗʰ and 15ᵗʰ. He presented the following lecture: “Sobriety (zuhd) and Hunger (ǧuʿ) as Ethical Responses to Natural Disasters in al-Ġazālī’s (d. 505/1111) Theology of Creation”. On January 22ⁿᵈ, at the invitation of the Faculty of Fiqh at the University of Kufa in Najaf, Amir Jajé, OP gave two lectures: the first, entitled “History of Religions and Its Intersections with the Humanities”, and the second, “The Challenges of Christian-Muslim Dialogue Today”. Islamic-Christian Dialogue On January 13ᵗʰ, Jean Druel, OP participated in an Islamic-Christian meeting organized between the Language Center of al-Azhar, chaired by Mr. Abd al-Dayim Nusseir, and the Woodberry Intercultural Institute, chaired by Mr. Joseph Cumming. The topic of the meeting was al-Azhar’s document on fundamental freedoms. The six speakers, three Muslims and three Christians, discussed the following topics: religious freedom, freedom of scientific research, and freedom of expression. On January 17ᵗʰ, Jean Jacques Pérennès, OP gave a talk in Orsay during the annual session of the diocesan delegates for relations with Muslims of the SNRM on the topic of “Israel-Palestine: Points of Reference and Analytical Elements on the Ongoing Conflict”. Teachings On January 24ᵗʰ, Emmanuel Pisani, OP taught an online session on the topic of “The Coptic Church and Identity Strategy”, as part of the continuing education program of Catholic education in the Diocese of Toulon. On January 30, Emmanuel Pisani, OP, also taught an online session on “Suicide in Islam” as part of the Suicidology Diploma program at the Faculty of Medicine, Paris-Saclay University, under the direction of Professor Fabrice Jollant. MIDEO The 39ᵗʰ issue of MIDEO (2024), entitled “The Cairo Edition of the Qurʾān 1924: Texts, Histories, and challenges”, has been published. This volume was directed by Mrs. Asma Hilali. All the articles in the volume, as well as the Varia, are available on the OpenEdition website. 2025 Research Scholarship The jury, composed of a member from IDEO, IFAO, and IFI, met in January and awarded the research scholarship to Mr. Gheorghe Pașcalău for his project “The Theory of the Soul of Abū Yaʿqūb as-Siǧistānī and Its Roots in the Philosophy of Plotinus”. Ali al-Samman Award On January 30ᵗʰ, Emmanuel Pisani, OP and Jean Druel, OP participated in the presentation of the Ali al-Samman Award at the Anglican Cathedral of All Saints, in the presence of Sheikh ʿAlī Gomʿa, former Grand Mufti of Egypt from 2003 to 2013 and President of the Religious Committee in Parliament. Emmanuel Pisani, OP was part of the jury. The award was given to: Pastor Asaad Talaat, pastor of the Evangelical Church and founder of the al-Safina Center for Culture, Arts, and Psychological Support in Minya. Sameh Nessim, development and training consultant at the Ibrahimia Center for Media, for his project aimed at promoting the culture of acceptance of others in Aswan. The third award was given jointly to the artist Rola, singer and teacher al-Alsun School, for producing the song “Ahl al-Kitab”. She shares this award with Dr. Dalia Ihab Younis, an artist and activist for dialogue and building peace bridges between religious communities, through her project “Sacred Music”. Call for Papers – Córdoba Conference (2026) IDEO, a member of PLURIEL, informs researchers that the call for papers is now open for the conference “Ethics and Aesthetics in Islamic Heritage”, which will take place from February 10ᵗʰ to 14ᵗʰ, 2026. You can access the call for papers and submit your application

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Newsletter January 2025

It was twenty years ago, in the light of the summer of 2004, that Catherine Mayeur-Jaouen already offered us a fascinating account: the history of a legendary pilgrimage in Islam-the moulid of Tanta in Upper Egypt, which in medieval times attracted crowds sometimes larger than those heading to Mecca for the Hajj. Today, she returns to us with her latest book, a monumental work: the history of the cult of Muslim saints. A history that embraces centuries and horizons, from sub-Saharan Africa to China, from India to Southeast Asia, and, of course, through Egypt-a country she knows intimately, down to its deepest whispers, whether Muslim or Coptic. Catherine Mayeur-Jaouen is one of those mediators between worlds. A professor at the Sorbonne and a member of IDEO, she journeys between disciplines and hearts. In her book, history engages in dialogue with sociology, anthropology, and theology. Through these lenses, she paints a vibrant picture of the bonds woven day by day, century by century, between Muslims and their saints. These saints, these friends of God, are lights in the darkness, bridges between the visible and the invisible. Their cult, rooted in both lands and souls, tells of a lived piety where the everyday becomes sacred. Here, everything intertwines: local Islam and universal Islam, the living and the dead, men and women-so present in these devotions-and the infinite. It is a story of encounters. A solidarity of intercession that transcends time and space, connecting believers to the Prophet, his family, the Imams for Shiites, and to these saints whose light still reaches us today. Even now, this cult seeks its place in modernity, like a river constantly carving its path. We are proud and delighted to share the announcement of this remarkable publication by our friend Catherine Mayeur-Jaouen. She offers it to us as a treasure, a key to entering the mystery and living reality that pulse at the heart of Islam. Anawati Chair Promoting Humanist Heritage On December 5ᵗʰ, Emmanuel Pisani, OP and Jean Druel, OP met with the new director of the Institute of Arabic Manuscripts, Dr. Ali Abdallah al-Naïm, to discuss cooperation and the promotion of the Islamic humanist heritage within the framework of the Anawati Chair. Support for Mobility Professor Oussama Nabil, from the Faculty of Languages and Translation at al-Azhar University, received a mobility grant to participate in a thesis defense jury in Paris and give a lecture on December 17ᵗʰ at the French Institute of Muslim Civilization in Lyon on the topic of “The Prophet as Seen by French Orientalists”. During this lecture, he presented “a historical, critical, and comparative analysis highlighting impartial and nuanced perspectives”. His contributions were documented in reports shared on social media, particularly on Facebook. Call for papers – Conference “The Authority of Silence” As part of the conference “The Authority of Silence: Constructing the Figure of the Salafs (7ᵗʰ-15ᵗʰ Centuries)” to be held on May 2ⁿᵈ and 3ʳᵈ, 2025, in Cairo, we invite researchers wishing to participate to submit an abstract of their proposal before the deadline of January 15ᵗʰ, 2025. For more information, please visit our website… Lectures On December 4ᵗʰ, Michel Cuypers, OP gave a video conference entitled “A Review of Thirty Years of Research on the Rhetoric of the Qurʾān”, at the 9ᵗʰ RBS (Retorica Biblica e Semitica) conference, which took place at the Gregorian University in Rome. Watch the video in French… On December 13ᵗʰ, Jean Druel, OP gave a lecture at the Faculty of Historical Sciences at the University of Strasbourg on the topic: “Networking Manuscripts and Printed Works: New Cataloging Standards for a Mapping of Knowledge”. During the lecture, he highlighted the significance of the IFLA/RDA model for showcasing the circulation of texts, using two manuscripts from the National and University Library of Strasbourg as examples. Scientific Councils On December 10ᵗʰ, Emmanuel Pisani, OP participated in the scientific council of NCCRM (Network for Centers of Christian-Muslim Relations) to prepare for the Amman conference on the topic of “The Future of Christian-Muslim Relations: Prospects and Challenges”, which will take place from June 16 to 18, 2025. On December 13ᵗʰ and 14ᵗʰ, Emmanuel Pisani, OP, and Claudio Monge, OP, participated in the academic platform PLURIEL Board meeting held in Lyon. The meeting aimed to prepare for the Cordoba conference scheduled for February 2026 on the topic of “Ethics and Aesthetics in Islamic Heritage”. Thesis Defense On December 17ᵗʰ, Emmanuel Pisani, OP participated in the thesis jury of Mr. Khaled Ezzat Abdelfadeel. His thesis, entitled “The Sunna as a Referential Source in Qurʾānic Interpretation at the Beginning of the 20ᵗʰ Century: The Case of the al-Manār Movement. Discussions and Debate with Contemporary Western Approaches”, was assessed by a jury composed of the following members: Emmanuel Pisani, OP, Associate Professor at the Vice-Rectorate for Research at the Catholic Institute of Paris and Director of the Dominican Institute of Oriental Studies (Cairo). Mr. Oussama Nabil, Professor and Honorary Head of the French Department, as well as Director of Research in Islamic Studies in French at the Faculty of Languages and Translation, al-Azhar University (rapporteur). Mr. Nasser Gabryel, Research Director at the Montpensier Institute, accredited to supervise research (HDR) in political science (rapporteur). Mr. Steven Duarte, Lecturer in Arabic and Islamic Studies at Sorbonne Paris North University. Radio Broadcast On November 10ᵗʰ, Ms. Anne-Sylvie Boisliveau participated in the program “Questions d’Islam” on France Culture, discussing the topic “The Canonization of the Qurʾān”. Listen to the program in French… Video: “The ABCs of Islam” ON January 2ⁿᵈ, Adrien Candiard, OP contributed to the production of a video for “The ABCs of Islam” on the topic of “Salaf”. Watch the video in French… Visits On December 18ᵗʰ, we welcomed for lunch Mr. Frédéric Lagrange, Director of CEDEJ, and Ms. Alya el Hosseini, Head of Documentation and Research Assistance. On December 22ⁿᵈ, we welcomed Mr. Emile Ameen, Private Secretary to His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al-Saoud. On the same day, we also welcomed Dr. Ismaël Abdullah, Senior Director of the Department of Islamic Studies at

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Newsletter December 2024

Kalidou Kassé, Porte de l’espoir (Dakar). Although geographically situated at the crossroads of the Near East, bordering Israel and the Gaza Strip, Egypt remains on the African continent. Inspired by this unique position, we wanted to offer and share our expertise in Islamic studies, hoping to enrich research and deepen its implications for Islamic-Christian dialogue. It was in this spirit that IDEO organized an international seminar on this topic in the Diocese of Dakar last November, at the invitation of Mgr André Gueye, Bishop of Thiès and with the support of Aid to the Church in Need (AED) Representatives from fifteen nations attended, with several academic institutions and research centers dedicated to dialogue affirming their mutual commitment. The event was significant for the participation of numerous former students from the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI) and the Institute of Science and Theology of Religions (ISTR) in Paris, who shared with their peers the fruits of their reflections and field experiences. Discussions included the Akbarian doctrine of waḥdat al-wuǧūd (the unity of being) as a potential foundation for building ontological fraternity, while Surah 112, al-Iḫlāṣ (The Pure Sincerity), revealed its potential as a basis for dialogue. In her contribution, “Religion, Religions, and Conflicts”, philosopher Ramatoulaye Diagne Mbengue, Rector of Iba Der Thiam University in Thiès, drew upon the Qurʾān, invoking the thought of Léopold Sédar Senghor and Leibniz’s conception of universality. African religious traditions were also highlighted as a common cultural foundation beyond religious differences. However, the discussions also revealed the impact of modernity, which often marginalizes or dissolves traditional legacies. The debate on the role of women as a vector for conflict resolution revealed, in this regard, the clash of perspectives between male and female participants. The seminar fostered fruitful exchanges and a heartening encounter with Sheikh Omar Tall. Idéo is pleased with this modest yet essential contribution to the pursuit of sincere dialogue and peacebuilding on a continent beset by too much violence. Lectures and talks On November 5ᵗʰ, Dennis Halft, OP gave a lecture entitled “Jewish-Muslim Encounter in Iran at the Beginning of the Early Modern Period: A Jewish Translation of the Psalms into Persian”, at the Society for the Study of Religions at Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. On November 8ᵗʰ, Emmanuel Pisani, OP gave a lecture at the Lebret Center in Dakar on the topic of “The Current state of Dominican Presence in the Muslim East”, in partnership with the Center for Education, Training, and Documentation on Islamic-Christian Dialogue and Integral Development. From November 11ᵗʰ to 13ᵗʰ, Emmanuel Pisani, OP led the scientific direction of the international conference “Islamic-Christian Dialogue: An Opportunity for Africa”, held at the invitation of the Diocese of Thiès. He presented the main topic and delivered the final synthesis. On November 15ᵗʰ, Jean Jacques Pérennès, OP gave a lecture entitled “Christians and Muslims: What Paths to Encounter?”, at Saint-Pierre in Vieux-Lille. Then, on November 26ᵗʰ, he gave a lecture on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in Paris during the plenary session of the National Service for Relations with Muslims (SNRM) of the French Bishops’ Conference. On November 16ᵗʰ, Emmanuel Pisani, OP gave a lecture in Arabic at the conference “Islamic Studies in Catholic Education”, organized by the Franciscan Cultural Center in Cairo, in partnership with PISAI (Rome), Al-Mesbar Studies and Research Centre (Dubai), and the IDEO. His lecture was entitled “Ḥuḍūr al-dūminīkan fī al-Qāhira : muqārabāt tārīḫiyya wa-rihānāt lāhūtīyya  [The Dominican Presence in Cairo: Historical Approaches and Theological Challenges]”. During the conference, Mina-Athanase Abdelmeseh, OP gave a presentation on Brother Emilio Platti, while Adrien Candiard, OP discussed the importance and relevance of studying Ibn Taymiyya for a Dominican brother. On November 28ᵗʰ, Emmanuel Pisani, OP participated in the webinar organized by the Faculty of Theology at UCLy on the 60ᵗʰ anniversary of the encyclical Ecclesiam Suam. He gave the following lecture: “Pope Francis, a Key Player in Ecclesiam Suam”. Scientific workshop On November 6ᵗʰ and 7ᵗʰ, Matthieu Palayret, OP participated in an English-language scientific workshop on Arabic codicology, entitled Arabic Manuscripts and How to Read Them. The workshop was organized by Dr. Olly Akkerman and Professor Petra Sijpesteijn at the Flemish Institute in Cairo (Netherlands-Flemish Institute). Interreligious dialogue From November 21ˢᵗ to 23ʳᵈ, Dennis Halft, OP participated in Rome at the 50ᵗʰ meeting of the Sub-Commission for Interreligious Dialogue of the German Bishops’ Conference, where he contributed to discussions on a new working tool for Christian-Muslim dialogue in Germany. Thesis jury On November 4ᵗʰ, Emmanuel Pisani, OP participated as a jury member and first rapporteur in the defense of Mr. Benjamin Kabongo’s thesis entitled “The Evaluation of Theological Issues in the ‘Substitution-Compassion’ Concept in Louis Massignon’s Christian-Muslim Dialogue Theology”. The thesis, directed by Mr. Joseph Ellul, was defended in the presence of Ms. Évelyne Maurice, jury president, and Ms. Claire Reggio, second rapporteur. The candidate was awarded the grade of “very good” for the Doctorate in Religious Studies at the University of Domuni. Visit On November 20ᵗʰ, we welcomed Mr. Ali Abdelhakim, Director of the Islamic Sciences Department at the Faculty of Languages and Translation of Al-Azhar University. He was accompanied by seven other professors. Scholars’ House During the month of November, we had the pleasure of welcoming to the Scholars’ House: Gyöngyi Oroszi and M. Levente Teklovics, PhD students at the Avicenna Institute of Middle Eastern Studies in Piliscsaba, Hungary; Gianluca Parolin, professor of law at the Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations at the Aga Khan University; Angeliki Ziaka, professor of the history of religions and interreligious dialogue at the Faculty of Theology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as well as the interreligious dialogue coordinator for the World Council of Churches in Geneva. Publication Dominique Avon, The Paradigm of “Integral Islam” in Prescriptive Religious Discourse, Trends Researcher & Advisor, October 2024, 31 pages.

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