In 2002, nearly 70 years after its completion, a long essay by the celebrated Iraqi poet Maaruf Rusafi on the nature of prophecy in Islam was published in Germany. His reading of early Islamic... Show moreIn 2002, nearly 70 years after its completion, a long essay by the celebrated Iraqi poet Maaruf Rusafi on the nature of prophecy in Islam was published in Germany. His reading of early Islamic history, in particular of the accomplishments of the Prophet Muhammad, roughly coincided with another new reading; that by the Egyptian Ali Abd al-Raziq. Rusafi’s admiration for Muhammad is enormous and he credits him with inspiring the Arabs to initiate a new order, taking humanity from the reign of tribal customs to the vision of communities built on shared ethics and beliefs. Show less
The ‘Islam and secularism’ debate began a century ago and does not seem to have progressed. Prevailing attitudes, both ‘pro’ and ‘con’, are apparently locked in a stalemate and an endless ‘war of... Show moreThe ‘Islam and secularism’ debate began a century ago and does not seem to have progressed. Prevailing attitudes, both ‘pro’ and ‘con’, are apparently locked in a stalemate and an endless ‘war of positions’. Why are the actors of different trends restating more or less the same formulations on this issue? Is it possible to find a likely interpretation for such a phenomenon? Show less