Newsletter May 2025

A Shared Understanding of Religions IDEO remains steadfast in its conviction that only a patient, rigorous, and shared understanding of religious knowledge can open paths to collaboration and reconciliation. But words alone are not enough—they must be put into action. The “Islam and Religions” certificate program, held this May as part of the Anawati Chair and directed by Aziz Hilal, is a new example of this commitment. Every Friday, our Institute had the honor of hosting three eminent scholars whose work is recognized as authoritative in this field. First, Tunisian professor Faouzi Bedoui, a master of critical analysis of Islamic sources and a specialist in Jewish studies on the Qur’an during the era of Haskalah (the Enlightenment); next, Lebanese philosopher Nayla Abi Nader, a specialist in Mohamed Arkoun. She sought to demonstrate how Arkounian concepts contribute to a renewed reading of the Qur’an and make it possible to fully recognize the place of other religions within Islamic thought. Finally, we welcomed Egyptian thinker Yassin Abdelgawad, whose stimulating contributions always spark passionate debates among our audience. As a sign of growing interest in these topics, we received nearly eighty applications for only forty available spots. In their motivation letters, several candidates expressed their gratitude to IDEO for being a space of free debate, exchange, and reflection. Participants clearly understood that the speakers were presenting the state of a question and opening up avenues for exploration. For us, the goal is not to turn them into disciples of the speakers’ thought, but to give them the opportunity to broaden their intellectual horizons and to discover authors they may have heard of but never truly read. Witnessing these debates, we are delighted to see a young generation engaged and open to the contributions of social sciences in order to better ground, within Islam, the relationship with religious otherness. Anawati Chair Certificate “Islam and Other Religions” The Anawati Chair is organizing a training course for a Certificate in “Islam and Other Religions”. The training took place over four seminars: On May 9, Mr.  Faouzi Bedoui, Professor of Jewish and Arabic Studies at the University of Tunis, gave a lecture entitled “The Impact of the Jewish Haskalah on the Development of Orientalist Studies on Islam”. On May 16, he discussed the topic “How to Approach the Anglo-Saxon Revisionist School in the Field of Islamic Studies?”. On May 23, Ms. Nayla Abi Nader, Lebanese researcher and professor at the Lebanese University, gave two lectures: “The Foundations of the Critical Method in the Approach to Heritage. The Project of Mohammed Arkoun as a Model” and “The Anthropological Triangle and the Deconstruction of Violence in the Thought of Mohammed Arkoun”; On May 30, Mr. Abdelgawad Yassin, Egyptian jurist, researcher, and thinker, gave a talk entitled “Christianity and Islam: Mutual Stereotypes. An Introduction to the Question of Religious Pluralism Lecturer”. Researcher Mobility As part of the researcher mobility grant, the researcher Mahmoud El-Mezayen participated in the second edition of the international conference “Nadwat al-Andalus,” organized by the Institute of Applied Humanities Studies of Sbeïtla, affiliated with the University of Kairouan (Tunisia), from April 22 to 24, 2025. On this occasion, Mr. El-Mezayen presented a scientific paper entitled “Four Arabic Documents Related to the City of Granada in al-Andalus”. Lectures On May 20, Jean Jacques Pérennès, OP gave a lecture in Trévou-Tréguignec for the France-Palestine Solidarity Association, on the topic: “The Archaeology of Gaza, a Heritage in Peril”. On May 22, Emmanuel Pisani, OP gave an online presentation entitled “Why have we forgotten Toumliline”?, during an evening event organized by the al-Mowafaqa Institute in Rabat, focused on the Toumliline Monastery. On May 24, Jean Jacques Pérennès, OP gave a lecture in Metz on the topic: “Christians in a Middle East in Crisis: Situation and Prospects”. Workshop On May 6, Jean Druel, OP gave a talk on the topic: “Collation Marks in the Milan-Kazan codex of Sībawayh’s Kitāb: The Case of ġayn” as part of the 5ᵗʰ International Workshop on Codicology and Critical Edition organized by the Rawafed Center in Fez. Scientific Council From May 15 to 17, Emmanuel Pisani, OP as deputy coordinator, took part in the scientific council of the Academic Platform PLURIEL held in Cordoba, to prepare the upcoming conference “Ethics and Aesthetics in Islamic Heritage”, scheduled for February 2026. Master in Arabic Studies On May 22, Matthieu Palayret, OP completed his Master in Arabic Studies at the American University in Cairo by defending a thesis entitled “Beyond Logic: Ibn al-Sarrāǧ’s (d. 316/928) al-Uṣūl fī al-naḥw and the Formation of the Islamic Disciplines”. Visits On May 6, we had the pleasure of welcoming the “Religion and Diplomacy” Group, whose visit was organized by the Austrian Embassy in Cairo. The delegation was made up of: Mr. Alexander Rieger (Austria), Coordinator and founder of the Vienna Group for Religion & Diplomacy, Head of the Unit Intercultural and interreligious dialogue, Head of the Task Force Dialogue of Cultures and Religions; Mr. Constantinos Alexandris (European External Action Service), advisor for “Religion and Diplomacy” Group; H.E. Mr. Ivan Picukaric (Croatia), advisor for “Religion and Diplomacy” to the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs; H.E. Ms. Nathalia Feinberg (Denmark), Special Representative for Freedom of Religion or Belief; H.E. Mr. Pekka Kosonen (Finland), Ambassador for Peace Mediation; Ms. Anke Oppermann (Germany), Head of the Unit of the Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief; Mr. Theofilos Zafeirakos (Greece), Head of the Directorate for the Council of Europe, Human Rights at the United Nations, Minorities, Migration, and Refugees; Mr. Iarfhlaith Manny (Ireland), Deputy Director in the International Policy and Technology Coordination Unit, in charge of the religion and diplomacy portfolio; H.E. Ms. Ulrika Sundberg (Sweden), Special Envoy to the OIC for Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue. On May 24, Dr. Sameh A. Khadra, director of the “Taqeen” Foundation, visited us to discuss a possible collaboration. On May 26, we welcomed a delegation from the European Parliament as part of the activities of the Political Section of the European Union Delegation in Cairo. Scholars’ House During the month of May, we

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.

It is with great joy that we announce the publication in Arabic of the biography of Father Georges Anawati, written by Jean Jacques Pérennès. A founding figure of IDEO, a man of dialogue and intellectual rigor, Father Anawati has left a lasting impact on generations of researchers far beyond the Christian sphere and continues to inspire our work. This masterful translation by our friend Aziz Hilal is also a bridge between cultures, traditions, and sometimes distant sensitivities. Making the life story of a Dominican religious figure engaged in Christian-Muslim dialogue accessible in Arabic is also a pedagogical challenge. How can we convey the vocabulary of a specific tradition, that of the “Catholic tribe”, to readers unfamiliar with it? How can we express in Arabic concepts such as “convent”, “vows”, or “Dominican province”, and how can we convey the uniqueness of a religious commitment in an academic setting in a way that is understandable to an Arabic-speaking Muslim audience? This translation work has been an opportunity for clarification and contextualization. It was not merely about transposing words but about making this “Dominican” universe intelligible—where the scholar, who is also a preacher, found himself immersed for several years in Rome in the whirlwind of a council. May this translation allow new Arabic-speaking readers to discover the richness of a life dedicated to encounter, dialogue, and knowledge! Anawati Chair Sībawayh Seminar On February 28, Professor Abderrahmane Boudraa, a specialist in Arabic linguistics at the University of Tétouan, delivered a lecture titled “Reflections on the method of reading Sībawayh’s Kitāb” as part of the “Sībawayh Seminar”, coordinated by Jean Druel, OP. Read the report of this session… Talks and lectures On February 10, Mr. Guillaume de Vaulx gave a bilingual lecture at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies on the topic “Facing untranslatability: in Praise of a Multilingual Thinking” On February 13, Mr. Guillaume de Vaulx also participated—through the voice and free interpretation of Frédéric Abécassis—in the event “Animal Condition and Area Studies”, with a presentation entitled “Animalist Issues in Muslim Cosmography”. Board of Directors of the Friends of IDEO On February 13, Emmanuel Pisani, OP remotely participated in the board meeting of the Friends of IDEO association. Networks On February 11, Emmanuel Pisani, OP participated remotely in a meeting of the Scientific Committee of the NCCRM network. On February 19, he also participated remotely in a meeting of the Scientific Committee of the PLURIEL network. Intern Starting February 12, we are welcoming Mr. Hildemar de Cointet for a seven-week internship at the library. His work will focus on authority cataloging and the indexing of old books (published before the 19ᵗʰ century). This internship marks the final stage of his academic program as an archivist paleographer at the École des Chartes. Visits From January 31 to February 4, we welcomed Mr. Bertrand Wallon, Secretary General of the Friends of IDEO association, as well as Mr. Martin de Bartillat and Mr. Guillaume Gorge, board members. On February 4, we received a visit from Shaykh Ibrahim Ibn Rashid al-Marikhi, President of the Islamic court of Bahrain. On February 5, we welcomed Mrs. Mona Sabry, Director of the French Language Teaching Center of al-Azhar. On the same day, we also welcomed Mr. Sadek Beloucif, professor and director of the Advisory Board of the French Foundation « l’Islam de France ». On February 6, we welcomed Mr. Islam Dayeh, a researcher and lecturer in Arabic and Islamic studies at the Department of Languages and Cultures of Ghent University. On February 6, we also received a delegation of major donors from French association Œuvre d’Orient, including: Mr. Philippe Meunier, Vice President of the Rhône-Alpes Region, Mr. Bruno Chiaverini, Director of International Relations, Ms. Christiane Grosjean Cervantes, Mission Officer. Mr. Fabrice Balanche, Lecturer in Geography at Lyon II On February 16, we welcomed Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline and Patriarch Ibrahim Ishaq, Head of the Coptic Catholic Church. Scholars’ House During the month of February, we had the pleasure to receive at the Scholars’ House: Mr. Flavio Canuzzi, beneficiary of the MEAE scholarship in Islamic Studies; Ms. Chloé Bordewich, PhD in History and Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University. Publications Dominique Avon, « Auteurs sunnites syro-libanais face à la problématique de la modernité européenne », Annuaire de l’École Pratique des Hautes Études, 2024, t. 131 (2022-2023), p. 637-654. Jean-Jacques Pérennès, al-Ab Ǧurǧ Qanawātī. Ḥayāt min aǧl ḥiwār al-diyānāt wa al-ṯaqāfāt, al-Qāhira, Dār al-Akwīnī, 2025, 195 p. Upcoming activities From March 17 to 21, Matthieu Palayret, OP will participate in the Spring School “Comparative Analysis of Religious Metaphor”, at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, organized by Dr. Nikita Artemov and Dr. Vicky Ziegler. Learn more…