Bibliotheca Alexandria celebrates author Abd al-Rahman al-Kawakibi

CAIRO – 14 September 2017: Bibliotheca Alexandria is organizing an event to celebrate Syrian author Abd al-Rahman al-Kawakibi, in cooperation with his family. The event takes place at “Bayt Al Sinnari” archeological venue in the Sayda Zeinab district in Cairo on September 17 at 6 p.m., the official Facebook page of Bayt Al Sinnari reported on Wednesday.

Director of Bibliotheca Alexandria Mostafa el Feki will give the opening speech at the event, which will receive a number of high-profile characters in the field of culture. There will also be a gallery that includes some pictures of al-Kawakibi, his documents and books.

Abd al-Rahman al-Kawakibi (1855-1902) was one of the most articulate and original proponents of reformist ideas in the Arab world, as well as a precursor to Arab nationalism.

A journalist, political thinker and social activist from Aleppo, Syria, he was a sharp critic of both the scholarly and Sufi religious traditions, as well as of the autocratic Ottoman government of the day.

Undeterred by persecution and arrest, he advocated returning to the model of the forefathers of Islam and was an overt supporter of liberty, an Arab caliphate, and the separation of religion and state, One World Publications reported.

His books “Tabai al-Istibdad” (The Nature of Dictatorship) and “Umm Al-Qura” (Mother of PVillages) are considered to be among the most important books in the 19th century that discuss the phenomena of political tyranny and solutions for the nation.

The books present critiques of Muslim rulers at that time, along with his vision for the unity of Muslim nations. They are counted as important and influential works in the field of Muslim thought.