For the Common Points

SB/HG MNA, "Chittick looks for common points of world religions: academic" - Mehr News - Tehran, Iran
Wednesday, June 11, 2008

“Chittick looks for the common points of world religions and denominations and does not highlight their differences in his works,” academic Majdeddin Keyvani said during a session reviewing William C. Chittick’s latest book.

The book by prominent American translator and interpreter of Islamic texts William C. Chittick entitled Science of the Cosmos, Science of the Soul: The Pertinence of Islamic Cosmology in the Modern World was discussed during a session at the main branch of Book City in Tehran on June 10.

Chittick, distinguished from other authors and scholars by his vast knowledge of various religions, has produced revolutionary work on Islamic scholars including Rumi and Ibn Arabi, Keyvani noted.

Keyvani, who has translated a number of Chittick’s works, said that the translator knows the author better than others.

The translator recognizes the author’s mental order and proficiency in the subject and also the harmony of form and content of the text during the process of translation, he added.

Chittick introduces Islamic mysticism and philosophy through his sublime, clear, flowing verse, which is free of circumlocution, he added.

In his seven-chapter book, Chittick said that the problems of the modern world could be solved by applying the wisdom of Islamic thinkers and the Quran, Keyvani said.

Chittick had been scheduled to attend the review session but had to cancel his appearance due to certain circumstances.

Born and raised in Connecticut, William C. Chittick obtained a Ph.D. in Persian literature from the University of Tehran in 1974.

He is the author and translator of twenty-five books and one hundred articles on Islamic thought, Sufism, Shiism, and Persian literature.

Chittick also gave a lecture in Tehran on Wednesday at the Iran Institute of Wisdom and Philosophy.