ISMC Discusses Muslim Historical Novels

History as Entertainment, as Identity or as Politics?

Exploring Muslim cultures and the experiences of Muslims, AKU Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (ISMC) held its first cultural event in January 2006 on the historical novels of Jurji Zaydan: History as entertainment, as identity or as politics?

Thomas Philipp, Professor of Politics and Contemporary History of the Near East and the Middle East, Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen-Nürnberg, spoke about the famed Egyptian historical novelist and biographer Jurji Zaydan's work (1861-1914), considered to be the pioneer of historical novels in the Arabic language.

The second event in the series The Novel Eye: Historical Novels and Muslim Settings continued with leading Arab novelist and editor of Cairo's Akhbar el-adab, Gamal al-Ghitani in May 2006.

Held jointly with the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, the lecture was given in Arabic with simultaneous English translation. The session included a short reading by al-Ghitani from his acclaimed novel, Zayni Barakat (Penguin Books, 1998), followed by a discussion of his writing and philosophy - especially the notions of time and space. The event concluded with a stimulating discussion. In the audience were leading novelists and literary critics, members of the Arab press and journalists from the BBC World Service and other leading networks.

Gamal al-Ghitani is a pioneer of innovation in Arabic storytelling. His singular style integrates classical historical writings and narrative techniques into modern forms. He is the author of several novels, including Zayni Barakat, which has captivated the imagination of a generation of readers and put the question of history at the forefront of intellectual inquiry. Zayni Barakat was first published in serial form by the independent weekly Rose El-Youssef between 1970-71. In1990, it became the first Arabic novel to be published in English translation by Penguin.

This historical novel is set in early 17th century Mamluke Cairo.It traces the career of Zayni Barakat ibn Mousa as Cairo's puritanically moral and severe wali or governor, who employs several corps of spies and informers to rule the city. The author has used various narrative devices including diary extracts, police reports, legal decrees, first-person narratives and religious discourses which together with oblique references to the Cairo of Nasser, serve to give the novel the dimensions of a political and historical fable.

The next event in the series The Novel Eye: Historical Novels and Muslim Settings will take place in November 2006.

More information on cultural events at AKU-ISMC http://www.aku.edu/ismc/activities.shtml