Thursday, November 30, 2006

Arab Philosophers and Sufism: an historic account in São Paulo, Brazil

By Marina Sarruf translated by Silvia Lindsey - ANBA Brazil-Arab News Agency - São Paulo, Brazil
Monday, September 18, 2006

Arab philosophy is the theme of the first class in the course 'Panorama of Arab Culture', which will approach many aspects of the Arab world, like history, current affairs and influences in the West. The philosophy doctor by the University of São Paulo, Miguel Attie, is going to present an historic account of the Arab philosophers of ancient times.

The course is promoted by the Institute of Arab Culture (Icarabe) and has duration of three months. Classes start today (18) and will be held every Monday at the Arab Chamber Space, in São Paulo.

According to the coordinator of today's class, Safa Jubran, who is a professor of Arab literature and language at USP, Attie will present an historic account of Arab philosophers of ancient times, making links to Greek philosophy. He plans on showing also that the philosophical thinking and culture of the West were influenced by the Arabs, like he related in his book "Falsafa - Philosophy Amongst the Arabs".

As well as Attie's class, Safa will also coordinate the ninth lesson, on contemporary Arab poetry, taught by the USP professor, Michel Sleiman, and the eleventh class, on Arab immigration and culture in the novel "The Brothers", by Milton Hatoum, which she translated to Arabic. "As coordinator I will introduce the professors and raise some questions on the theme discussed in class," said Safa.

The course will have three main themes: the Arabs contribution to knowledge, the history and current affairs of the Arab world and the cultural repercussions of the Arabs. According to the president of the Icarabe, Soraya Smaili, there is demand of people interested in knowing more about the Arab world, therefore the institute decided to set up the course. About 80 people are enrolled to participate and there are no more open positions.

The next class of the course will be held on the 25th and will be on Arab philosophers. It will be divided in two parts: "Arabs and Mathematics" and "Arab Philosophers and Sufism". Coordinated by the USP professor, Francisco Miraglia, the first lecture will be by the USP professor Oscar Abdounour and, the second, by Sylvia Leite, also from USP.

Other themes
The course will have 13 classes in all, of two and a half hours each. As well as Arab philosophy, the classes will approach themes like sciences, chemistry, literature, poetry, dance, music, art and architecture, the history of the Crusades, nationalism of the twentieth century, disqualification of Arab culture and its ideological role.

Amongst the lecturers will be the writer Milton Hatoum and the professors Mamede Jarouche, Aziz ab'Saber, José Arbex Jr., Mohamad Habib, amongst other intellectuals.

The Icarabe has the aim of promoting Arab culture in all its historic, social and humanist aspects. Since the beginning of its activities, in 2004, the institute already held many lectures, debates and photography exhibits.

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Thursday, November 30, 2006

Arab Philosophers and Sufism: an historic account in São Paulo, Brazil
By Marina Sarruf translated by Silvia Lindsey - ANBA Brazil-Arab News Agency - São Paulo, Brazil
Monday, September 18, 2006

Arab philosophy is the theme of the first class in the course 'Panorama of Arab Culture', which will approach many aspects of the Arab world, like history, current affairs and influences in the West. The philosophy doctor by the University of São Paulo, Miguel Attie, is going to present an historic account of the Arab philosophers of ancient times.

The course is promoted by the Institute of Arab Culture (Icarabe) and has duration of three months. Classes start today (18) and will be held every Monday at the Arab Chamber Space, in São Paulo.

According to the coordinator of today's class, Safa Jubran, who is a professor of Arab literature and language at USP, Attie will present an historic account of Arab philosophers of ancient times, making links to Greek philosophy. He plans on showing also that the philosophical thinking and culture of the West were influenced by the Arabs, like he related in his book "Falsafa - Philosophy Amongst the Arabs".

As well as Attie's class, Safa will also coordinate the ninth lesson, on contemporary Arab poetry, taught by the USP professor, Michel Sleiman, and the eleventh class, on Arab immigration and culture in the novel "The Brothers", by Milton Hatoum, which she translated to Arabic. "As coordinator I will introduce the professors and raise some questions on the theme discussed in class," said Safa.

The course will have three main themes: the Arabs contribution to knowledge, the history and current affairs of the Arab world and the cultural repercussions of the Arabs. According to the president of the Icarabe, Soraya Smaili, there is demand of people interested in knowing more about the Arab world, therefore the institute decided to set up the course. About 80 people are enrolled to participate and there are no more open positions.

The next class of the course will be held on the 25th and will be on Arab philosophers. It will be divided in two parts: "Arabs and Mathematics" and "Arab Philosophers and Sufism". Coordinated by the USP professor, Francisco Miraglia, the first lecture will be by the USP professor Oscar Abdounour and, the second, by Sylvia Leite, also from USP.

Other themes
The course will have 13 classes in all, of two and a half hours each. As well as Arab philosophy, the classes will approach themes like sciences, chemistry, literature, poetry, dance, music, art and architecture, the history of the Crusades, nationalism of the twentieth century, disqualification of Arab culture and its ideological role.

Amongst the lecturers will be the writer Milton Hatoum and the professors Mamede Jarouche, Aziz ab'Saber, José Arbex Jr., Mohamad Habib, amongst other intellectuals.

The Icarabe has the aim of promoting Arab culture in all its historic, social and humanist aspects. Since the beginning of its activities, in 2004, the institute already held many lectures, debates and photography exhibits.

No comments: