The Politics and Poetics of Ameen Rihani: The Humanist Ideology of an Arab-American Intellectual and Activist (Library of Modern Middle East Studies)

Ameen Rihani was a pioneering Arab-American writer and activist, a leading figure in the development of the 'mahjar' literary movement and the most prominent Arab humanist intellectual of the twentieth century. Undertaking a comprehensive and critical reading of Rihani's Arabic and English writings, Nijmeh Hajjar examines the dialectical link between Rihani's life experiences and his ideas and activism. He explores Rihani's secular humanist vision of Arab progress, democracy and social justice, and concern for respectful relations between the Arab world and the West. This fascinating illustration of an Arab-American encounter contributes to post-colonial discourse and provides a balancing counterpoint to the predominant ideological clash of civilizations paradigms. "̀Dr Hajjar's text on Ameen Rihani is the first major work in any language on this leading Arab-American writer, intellectual, political activist and traveller ... [which] brings out Rihani's humanist approaches and his constant endeavours to bridge the gap, be it in the field of cultural misunderstanding or social development, between Western societies and Eastern nations ... Hajjar has skillfully placed Rihani in his particular historical context, while succeeding at the same time in demonstrating the relevance of his ideas and cultural vision to contemporary issues and challenges faced by both the West and the Muslim world.' Professor Youssef Choueiri, Islamic Studies, School of Arts, Histories and Cultures, University of Manchester" "̀This study is a real tour de force of the thought and activism of Ameen Rihani, a prominent Arab-American intellectual of the twentieth century, and a pioneer of the modern Arab literary and intellectual renaissance. With her fine scholarship, Dr Hajjar convincingly demonstrates how Rihani's humanist outlook and intellectual activity were very much concerned with engaging both East and West ... This is a particularly timely [book] in the light of the current search for global peace and cultural dialogue today. It should contribute positively to a better understanding of the difficulties, fears and hopes of our own times, and provide a shift away from the barren paradigms of "clash of civilizations".' Professor Ahmad Shboul, AM, Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, The University of Sydney" "Ameen Rihani (1876-1940) was an influential Arab-American thinker, writer and political activist, and was one of the most prominent humanist intellectuals of the twentieth century. He was born in Freike, Lebanon, and emigrated to the United States at the age of 12. He was recognized in his time as a leading figure in the world of Arab-American literature, a pioneer of the mahjar literary movement (Arabic Lebanese migration literature) and of contemporary Arabic prose poetry. A prolific writer, he published nearly 30 books in English alone. In his writing and political activism, Rihani's prime concern was engagement and mutual respect between the Arab world and the West - a concern which bears striking relevance to global affairs today." "Undertaking a comprehensive reading of Rihani's Arabic and English published works, including his creative writings, essays, correspondence, and historical and travel books, Nijmeh Hajjar examines the dialectical link between Rihani's life experiences in the Arab world, Europe and the USA with his ideas and activism. The book highlights Rihani's progressive secular humanist vision, his concerns about the need for Arab societies to achieve progress, liberal democracy and social justice, and his emphasis upon a mutual respect between the Arab world and the West - particularly the USA, Great Britain and France." "This fascinating illustration of an Arab-America encounter contributes to post- and neo-colonial discourse and provides a balancing counterpoint to the predominant ideological ̀clash of civilisations' paradigms. The Politics and Poetics of Ameen Rihani furthers our understanding of the Arab-Islamic world and its relationship with the West - which remains one of the most important issues of our times."--Jacket Ameen Rihani (1876-1940) was an influential Arab-American thinker, writer and political activist, and was one of the most prominent humanist intellectuals of the twentieth century. He was born in Freike, Lebanon, and emigrated to the United States at the age of 12. He was recognized in his time as a leading figure in the world of Arab-American literature, a pioneer of the mahjar literary movement (Arabic Lebanese migration literature) and of contemporary Arabic prose poetry. A prolific writer, he published nearly 30 books in English alone. In his writing and political activism, Rihani's prime concern was engagement and mutual respect between the Arab world and the West - a concern which bears striking relevance to global affairs today.Undertaking a comprehensive reading of Rihani's Arabic and English published works, including his creative writings, essays, correspondence, and historical and travel books, Nijmeh Hajjar examines the dialectical link between Rihani's life experiences in the Arabworld, Europe and the USA with his ideas and activism. The book highlights Rihani's progressive secular humanist vision, his concerns about the need for Arab societies to achieveprogress, liberal democracy and social justice, and his emphasis upon a mutual respect between the Arab world and the West - particularly the USA, Great Britain and France.This fascinating illustration of an Arab-American encounter contributes to post- and neo-colonial discourse and provides a balancing counterpoint to the predominant ideological'clash of civilisations'paradigms. The Politics and Poetics of Ameen Rihani furthers our understanding of the Arab-Islamic world and its relationship with the West - which remains one of the most important issues of our times. Contents......Page 8 Abbreviations......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 Introduction......Page 18 1. Intellectual Formation: Migration, Travels and Life Experience......Page 38 2. Writer and Political Activist......Page 60 3. Progress, Reform and Revolution......Page 86 4. Justice, Freedom, Democracy and Socialism......Page 113 5. Arabs and Ottomans: Reform, Decentralisation and Independence......Page 137 6. Lebanon and Syria: Between Patriotism and Nationalism......Page 162 7. Arab-French Encounter: The French Mandate in Lebanon and Syria......Page 187 8. Arab Nationalism: Ideals and Endeavours......Page 211 Epilogue......Page 249 Notes......Page 266 Index......Page 310 This fascinating illustration of an Arab-America encounter contributes to post- and neo-colonial discourse and provides a balancing counterpoint to the predominant ideological `clash of civilisations' paradigms. The Politics and Poetics of Ameen Rihani furthers our understanding of the Arab-Islamic world and its relationship with the West - which remains one of the most important issues of our times. --Book Jacket