The Arab world has a vibrant and rich literary scene. At Al Majalla, we highlight some of our favourite weekly picks—from philosophy and history to science, politics and literature.
Let's get right to it.
Tayyib Salih and the Fragmentation of the World: Conversations in Literature and Thought
By: Mahmoud Al-Zahi
Published by: Arab Foundation for Studies and Publishing, Lebanon
In this book, Moroccan author Mahmoud Al-Zahi masterfully examines the transformative impact of Tayyib Salih’s literary and intellectual legacy, presenting it as a formidable challenge to Western dominance.
Al-Zahi argues that Salih’s work represents “a new creative orientation of voices from the Third World,” directly confronting both Western hegemony and the constructed “falsity of reality".
For Al-Zahi, Salih’s achievements resonate with the aspirations of a vast, culturally rich expanse often marginalised as the ‘Third World,’ serving as a beacon of pride for those who see in him a powerful embodiment of their struggles and cultural identity.
The book delves into Salih’s wide-ranging intellectual pursuits and encyclopaedic knowledge, which he integrated into his writing, captivating audiences both within the Arab world and internationally through translations that amplified his influence.
The initial section of the book—titled ‘Selections from Al-Tayeb Salih’s Texts’—reflects on his profound engagement with Sudan and Africa, celebrating their civilisational richness, linguistic diversity, and cultural vibrancy.
Salih’s vision calls for development strategies that genuinely acknowledge the varied lifestyles of nomads and settlers, emphasising the significance of Sudan’s human and natural resources.
In the subsequent section—'Conversations with Tayyib Salih’—readers are introduced to the his perspective on reshaping the Arab world through a critical examination of its historical trajectory, recognising past errors while honouring cultural distinctiveness.
Al-Zahi captures Salih’s incisive critique of colonialism’s enduring distortions and the intellectual crises that continue to afflict contemporary thought.
Through these dialogues, Salih emerges as a persistent voice of resistance, committed to challenging Western superiority, rekindling the collective memory of the Arab-Islamic civilisation, and deconstructing its imposed narratives.
Ultimately, Al-Zahi’s portrayal of Salih is that of a resolute figure in the struggle against cultural subjugation—a writer who not only champions the revival of Arab-Islamic heritage but also confronts the ideological frameworks that define the post-colonial world.
The book positions Salih as a visionary leader whose relentless pursuit of truth and cultural integrity seeks to inspire generations in their quest for dignity and self-determination.
Al-Mushreq Family’s Auntie
By: Umaima Al-Khamis
Published by: Saqi Books
In Al-Mushreq Family’s Auntie, Saudi author Umaima Al-Khamis weaves a complex and captivating narrative that spans a century, blending reality, myth, and imagination.
The novel follows the story of Aljazi, a Saudi woman from the Al-Mashreq family, who falls ill and is sent to Bahrain for treatment at the Mission Hospital in Manama, accompanied by an American nurse, Matthew Eden.
Their journey is bound by a unique arrangement—that Eden will marry Aljazi and convert to Islam as her mahr (dowry.) Yet, the tale does not settle. It morphs and transforms as it is passed down through generations; each retelling alters the events, revealing new layers and concealing others.
Women recount it with sorrow, men with reserved detachment, while young women tell a tale of love that captivates the heart. Even mystical beings—elves and night creatures that gather around campfires—add their own touches to the never-ending narrative.
The novel’s timeline stretches from the initial events of 1918 to its eventual unveiling through a cinematic film by Fawaz, the grandson of Aljazi, who reclaims the story from the shifting interpretations of others, bringing it back to its roots within the family.
Introducing the novel, Al-Khamis talks about the significance of reclaiming one’s narrative, highlighting how Saudi Arabia—represented by Al-Jazi’s tale—seeks to tell its own story in its own voice, untethered from the perspectives of outsiders.
Al-Mushreq Family’s Auntie unfolds primarily in Riyadh, tracing the profound transformation of Saudi society from tribal governance to a modern, prosperous state.
This novel is not just a mystery. It is a sweeping epic that transcends time and place, the author crafting a linguistic tapestry that sustains the narrative across 100 years, infusing the story with a poetic and timeless quality.
Her words shape time like clay, building a world where the past and present intertwine and where the line between legend and reality blurs. Al-Mushreq Family’s Auntie stands as both a tribute to storytelling and a powerful reflection on a nation's evolution.
Al-Farabi’s Musical Thought (plus Glossary of Al-Farabi’s Musical Terms)
Author: Ahmed Aydoun
Publisher: Almutawassit Publishers, Italy
In Al-Farabi’s Musical Thought, Moroccan researcher and music historian Ahmed Aydoun delves into the profound musical philosophy of Al-Farabi, often referred to as the ‘Second Master’ after Aristotle.
Widely regarded as the founder of Arabic-Islamic philosophy, Al-Farabi (874-950) left an indelible mark on both Arabic-Islamic thought and Arabic music. His influence has endured through the centuries, from east to west, shaping the understanding of philosophical, spiritual, and therapeutic music, as well as its technical foundations.
Aydoun’s study aims to underscore Al-Farabi’s originality, directly challenging the Orientalist perspective that reduces him to merely a transmitter or commentator on Greek music theory. Through meticulous comparisons between Greek writings and Al-Farabi’s own texts, Aydoun highlights the philosopher’s innovations, his corrections of existing concepts, and his creation of entirely new ideas, establishing his music as an authentic contribution that transcends Western claims.
To unravel the layers of Al-Farabi’s musical thought, Aydoun draws on a range of his writings, including the seminal opus Kitab al-Musiqa al-Kabir (Grand Book of Music), to explain and interpret Al-Farabi’s dense and intricate work, shedding light on his expansive vision of music.
Aydoun reveals how Al-Farabi’s study of music extended beyond an Arabic context, embracing a universal perspective that sought to explore broader theoretical possibilities and reach beyond the musical knowledge of his time.
Aydoun is careful when dealing with Al-Farabi’s legacy, only considering those interpretations that maintain the coherence of his logical discourse and align with his broader philosophical and theoretical works.
This allows Aydoun to present Farabi’s philosophical system in its entirety, connecting it to Greek philosophy, its influence on Islamic thought, and its far-reaching impact on medieval Europe and beyond.
The book culminates with a comprehensive glossary of 678 musical terms used by Al-Farabi, further illustrating his extensive contributions to the field. Through his careful analysis, Aydoun clarifies Al-Farabi's intricate musical thought, reaffirming his place as a pioneering figure whose influence in music and philosophy continues to resonate across cultures and generations.
From Arabic to the Latin World: The Impact of Arab Civilisation on the West
By: Mashhad al-Allaf
Published by: Dar Al Muheet Publishing House
This book by Mashhad al-Allaf offers a compelling exploration of the profound influence of Arab civilisation on the Western world. Al-Allaf, an Iraqi scholar specialising in philosophy and Islamic studies, asserts that Arab-Islamic culture was not merely a contributor to the fields of science, philosophy, and literature but a cornerstone in the evolution of human civilisation itself. He argues that without the contributions of this civilisation, many of today’s scientific achievements would have been delayed by centuries.
The book provides a well-supported critique of how the vast body of Arab and Muslim knowledge—translated in historical hubs like Toledo, Sicily, and Byzantium—profoundly shaped the Latin West.
Al-Allaf emphasises the impact of Arab-Islamic Sufism on European Christianity and the significant influence of Andalusian Arabic literature on European literary traditions. He details how figures like Copernicus drew from the works of Nasir al-Din al-Tusi and Ibn al-Shatir, while Robert Boyle’s scientific advancements were inspired by Arab chemists through translations made by Thomas Hyde.
One of the most captivating accounts in Al-Allaf’s work is the intellectual friendship between René Descartes and the mathematician Jacob Julius, who introduced Descartes to Arabic manuscripts. Al-Allaf reveals that Descartes’ famous method of doubt was inspired by Al-Ghazali’s philosophical approach, highlighting the deep-seated connections between European thought and Arab intellectual traditions.
He also discusses Al-Farabi's influence on Thomas Aquinas, showcasing how Arab philosophers shaped the theological and philosophical frameworks of medieval Europe.
The author goes beyond science and philosophy, showing how Arab influence permeated literature, poetry, theology, technology, geography, navigation, architecture, music, social customs, love, perfumes, hammams, and furniture. Al-Allaf firmly challenges the misconception that the translation of Arabic works into Latin ceased after the Toledo School of Translation in the 13th century, showing how this cultural and intellectual exchange continued well beyond.
This book, which is an incredibly informative and engaging read, is not just a narrative of historical facts; it is a vigorous response to the tendency to overlook the immense contributions of Arab civilisation. Al-Allaf’s meticulous research and eloquent storytelling underscore the enduring legacy of Arab culture in shaping the foundations of the modern Western world, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the intersection between East and West.
Changing and Becoming: A Reading of a Changing World
By: Abdelillah Belkeziz
Published by: Centre for Arab Unity Studies, Lebanon
Renowned Moroccan intellectual Abdelilah Belkeziz delivers a profound examination of the Arab world’s complex struggles and the forces shaping its destiny in this book. He identifies the 1990s as a pivotal period of decline, marked by stagnation, visionary scarcity, and the ascent of neighbouring powers.
Recently awarded the prestigious Cultural Personality of the Year 2024 by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), Belkeziz analyses the factors behind both the Muslim Brotherhood’s rise and the Arab world’s decline.
Change is not random, he says, but a fundamental law governing human societies, driven by collective human will and action. Belkeziz critiques the Arab world’s inability to adapt, highlighting what he calls a severe “blockage of horizons” and lack of the necessary forces, tools, and visions. Genuine change requires concerted human effort, he says, contrasting this stagnation with the rise of other global south powers.
Changing and Becoming is both a penetrating critique of the contemporary Arab reality and a reflection on societal transformation’s inevitability. Drawing on his vast expertise, Belkeziz explores how past failures and successes shape the Arab world’s present and future, urging a re-evaluation of strategies to navigate this complex landscape.
