Newsletter March 2025

A hundred years ago, L’Islam et les fondements du pouvoir by Ali Abdelrazek was published, a landmark work in the history of Islamic political thought. Through a methodical and well-argued approach, the author examined scriptural and historical sources to demonstrate that the caliphate was not a religious necessity but a political construct. His analysis, based on a critical reading of texts, took place at a pivotal moment in contemporary history, as the Muslim world was redefining its institutions following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the abolition of the caliphate by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1924. Even today, this book remains an essential reference for those interested in the relationship between religion and power. Revisiting Abdelrazek’s work means returning to the foundations of a debate that transcends the controversies of his time, rigorously and thoughtfully questioning the historical dynamics of governance in Muslim countries. This month, IDEO will have the pleasure of hosting six renowned scholars for a study day dedicated to the scientific analysis of this work and an examination of its impact on contemporary political thought. Scientific communication On March 20, Emmanuel Pisani, OP delivered a presentation titled “Did al-Ghazālī consider himself a Mutakallim?”, as part of the “Thinkers’ View on Theology” conference at the Arabic Classical Philosophy & Philosophy of Sciences Center of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Ben Guerir, organized by Ms. Amal Belkamel and Ms. Lucie Tardy. Research seminar On March 22, Emmanuel Pisani, OP delivered a seminar titled “Contemporary Quranic Hermeneutics and the Question of Violence in the Quran: A Critical Presentation of Jawdat Saʿid’s Thought”, at the Fondazione Accademia, Casa di Popoli, Culture e Religioni in Sassari, as part of the research seminar “Religions and Sacred Texts: Interdisciplinary Analysis and Study – Understanding the Processes Leading to the Theological/Religious Legitimization of Religious Violence”. Islamic studies course From March 21 to 23, Jean Druel, OP led a twelve-hour session on the history of the Arabic language at the Catholic University of the West in Thiès, Senegal, as part of the Domuni Islamic studies certificate Interreligious dialogue On March 15, Jean Jacques Pérennès, OP gave an online lecture for the Dominican Centre for Ethics and Spiritual Life in Montreal, on the topic: “Pierre Claverie, Hope at the Heart of Violence”. On March 22, Emmanuel Pisani, OP took part in a roundtable discussion on the topic: “Live Testimonies of Dialogue”, alongside the Imam of Sassari, Abdellaoui Salaheddine, and Professor Afsaneh Seyed, from the Bahaï community of Sassari. On March 24, Jean Druel, OP gave a lecture at the Saint Dominic University Parish in Dakar on the topic: “Christians and Muslims, Why is it So Difficult to Understand Each Other?”. On March 26, Emmanuel Pisani, OP gave a lecture at IDEO on “The Role of Islamic studies in Interreligious Dialogue in Egypt”, for students from the IHEDN (Institute for Advanced Studies in National Defense). Iftar As part of the Anawati Chair project and on the occasion of the publication of the Arabic translation of the book by Jean Jacques Pérennès, OP titled “Father Georges Anawati: A Life for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue”, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Emil Ameen for a lecture titled “Father Anawati and the Dialogue of Cultures”. The lecture was followed by an Iftar bringing together the partners of the Anawati Chair project. Visit On March 29, we welcomed Mrs. Asma Elzeiny, Director of the Tatweer Center of al-Azhar, and Mr. Jakob Wiren, Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Lund, Sweden, along with 17 students. Scholars’ House During the month of March, we had the pleasure to receive at the Scholars’ House Mr. Francesco Antonini, a PhD student in medieval Arabic and Latin philosophy at the École Pratique des Hautes Études. Upcoming – Activities of the Anawati Chair On May 2 and 3, IDEO, in partnership with the American University in Cairo and as part of the Anawati Chair project, will organize a conference in English titled “The Authority of Silence: Constructing the Figure of the Salafs (7ᵗʰ-15ᵗʰ centuries)”. Registration is required before April 30 at the following email address: inscr-salafs@ideo-cairo.org. The “Religions and Human Sciences” Certificate from the Anawati Chair will focus this year on “Islam and Other Religions”. It will take place over four sessions on Fridays, May 9ᵗʰ, 16ᵗʰ, 23ʳᵈ, and 30ᵗʰ, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. As the number of seats is limited, applications must be submitted before April 20 to the following email address: certificate.anawati-2025@ideo-cairo.org. For the program and application details, please visit the IDEO website. Upcoming research workshop On May 6, 7, and 8, Jean Druel, OP will participate in the 5ᵗʰ International Workshop on Manuscript Studies, organized in Fez, Morocco, by the Rawafed Center for Studies and Research, in partnership with the German project Corpus Coranicum and the IDEO.

“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). Read the report of this session… 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

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