Ostour

 

LIST OF ABSTRACTS

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"Subaltern Studies and Postcolonial Historiography", by Dipesh Chakrabarty

"The Uses of Biography", by Giovanni Levi

Lecture “The History of Islamic Civilization: Orientalism versus the View from Within”, by Hichem Djait

"Observations on the Climate of the Ancient Maghreb", by Samir Ait Oumghar

"The Constitution of Medina: The History of the Reception of a Text", by Amr Osman

“Units of Measurement in Islamic Societies: the Finger, the Fist, and Large and Small Spans”, by ‪Mohammed Amrani Zerrifi

“Urban Space Management in Cordoba”, by Youssef Ngadi

“Wheat and Mohammad Ali Pasha’s Independence Project during the Continental Blockade Crisis (1807 - 1815)”, by Nasser Suleiman

“The Justice Discourse in Sultanic Literature by Ibrahim Al-Qadri Boutshish”, a book review by Chamseddin Alkilani

"Prison and Prisoners: Examples from the Middle Ages in the Maghreb by Mustafa Nashat", a book review by Yahya Boulahya

“When a Nation Awakens by Sadek Hadjeres”, a book review by Noureddine Teniou

“The Birth Pangs of Ottoman Rule in Arab Lands at the End of the Reign of Sulieman the Magnificent: a Reading of Released Documents”, by Abderrahim Benhadda

“Ottoman Census of Damascus in the Year 1086 Hijri (1675 - 1676)”, by Mustafa Ozturk

Periodization in Arab Islamic History, an Ostour symposium

Masarat: Arab Scholars and their Contributions to the Writing of History: A Conversation with Egyptian Historian Mahmoud Ismail

"Subaltern Studies and Postcolonial Historiography", by Dipesh Chakrabarty

The author focuses on Subaltern Studies, and pays particular attention to Neo-Marxist Ranajit Guha, widely credited with establishing this field. The author further argues that subaltern studies has escaped the confines of Marxism and finds itself inescapably linked with post-colonial studies. This, suggests the paper, means that subaltern studies in fact surpassed a tradition of writing “history from below”, which had been pioneered by British Marxist writers. It instead had a post-colonial view, linked to Edward Said’s critique of orientalism, as well as to Homi Bhabha’s discourse analysis and the writings of Gayatri Spivak’s. From the outset, Subaltern Studies has asked questions about the methods of writing history, and inevitably distinguished itself from the traditional English Marxist method of chronicling working-class history. While Subaltern Studies indeed descended from this tradition, it quickly became a critique of academic history.

Keywords: capitalism, peasant rebellions, ruling classes, history from below, Cambridge School, Marxism, History of India

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"The Uses of Biography", by Giovanni Levi

Biography shares a number of the same pressing, essential methodological questions which are raised in contemporary historiography. These questions concern its relations with social sciences, the question of the relations between norms and behavior and between groups and individuals, as well as the issue of the limits of human freedom and rationality. This article stresses the unexplored complexity of the biographical perspective, offering a typology and an analysis of the implications of biographies that break with the linear and factual tradition.

Keywords: biography, annals, prosopography, history of the individual, context, microhistory, macro history, New History, historicism, narration, pattern, positivism, functionalism

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Lecture “The History of Islamic Civilization: Orientalism versus the View from Within”, by Hichem Djait

This text is the summary of a lecture titled “The History of Islamic Civilization: Orientalism versus the View from Within”, delivered by noted Arab historian Hichem Djaiet on the sidelines of the Ostour symposium for historical studies.  The symposium was dedicated to periodization of Arab-Islamic history, and Djaiet’s lecture focuses specifically on his work on the biography of the Prophet Mohammed, the Sira, and discussed some of the most complex issues he faced while writing his book on the topic. Introduced to the audience by Azmi Bishara, Djaiet was described as “one of the most influential Arab historians” for his “brave work” on the personal biography of the Prophet Mohammed by an Arab, Muslim historian who asserted a narrative that challenged the dominance of Western Orientalists.

Keywords: Prophet Mohammed, Medina, Makkah, Quraysh, Muslim tithes, tribal coalitions, sacred, pilgrimage, the First Fitna

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"Observations on the Climate of the Ancient Maghreb", by Samir Ait Oumghar

Research on climatic history has gained increased attention lately, and fits into an overall trend which sees “microhistory” and social history replace an older, Rankian-empirical school which focused solely on official documents and diplomatic writings. In this regard, the latter are replaced by evidence based on the observations of the daily life of citizens who lived in the past. This work has not been free from controversy, especially concerning the Maghreb. Controversy surrounds the methods used and the quality of the sources referenced, as well as the ideologies informing the research published during the protectorate era in Morocco. This study consists of a historiographical overview of research on the Maghreb climate in ancient times. It monitors the field’s methodological and documentation shortcomings, reveals its ideological background (primarily connected to the colonial era), and critiques its sources (Greek, Roman, and Archaeological). Its goal is to establish a new history of climate which can then be used in the context of closely related issues such as the history of agriculture, water, water conflicts, and migration and settling patterns around water sources. The paper confirms the existence of a humid climate in ancient Maghreb, compared to today’s climate which is marked by aridity and drought. This is based on evidence taken from a number of literary, archaeological, and geological sources.

Keywords: Ancient Maghreb, weather, climate, drought, humidity, rainfall, Libya, African elephant, Ancient Greeks

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"The Constitution of Medina: The History of the Reception of a Text", by Amr Osman

This study concerns the history of a document (Sahifat al-Madinah) that was often cited in Islamic works during the early and middle periods. Modern and contemporary writers, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, refer to this charter as the "Constitution of Medina". Its drafting is believed to have begun after the Hijra of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D. Muslim writers in the Early Islamic and Middle Islamic periods vary in the extent to which they include details on the text itself; but  it has undoubtedly taken on great importance in the modern era. The analysis presented in this paper focuses on the evolving history of how Muslims received the text over 14 centuries, and attempts to explain that evolution with reference to changing historical contexts, intellectual trends, forces and developing interests. That is, the paper investigates not just the way the text was read, but also the way it was “manufactured” into a founding historical document for modern and contemporary literature.

Keywords: citizenship, equality, constitution, Jews of Medina, Ibn Ishaq, Arab tribes, Banu Aws, Banu Khazraj

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“Units of Measurement in Islamic Societies: the Finger, the Fist, and Large and Small Spans”, by ‪Mohammed Amrani Zerrifi ‬‬

An understanding of the measurement units used in Islamic societies in the medieval era would provide an insight to the distances travelled in the middle ages and the volume of trade in their economies. Measurements have always been important tools used in daily life: in trade, in travel, in the use of water, and in construction. It was therefore essential for scientists to devise units of measurement, such as large and small “spans”, a “palm length”, and the finger, and to use formulas which relate them to each other accurately. This paper attempts to explain how such ancient units of measurement can be converted to metric units, demonstrating many ways in which this knowledge can be used to inform extensive research into medieval Islamic societies. Interestingly, research shows that the large span, which was the base for commercial and social transactions in Islamic countries and was roughly equivalent to 23.1 centimeters, was possibly used in ages after the middle ages.

Keywords: Maghreb, al-Andalus, rituals, cubit, pace, rod

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“Urban Space Management in Cordoba”, by Youssef Ngadi

Islamic theological works have not traditionally been reliable resources for research on the architecture and urban development of Andalusian cities. In this paper, a number of these books have been used in researching urban planning in Cordoba, particularly Diwan of Grand Judgments by Abi Al-Asbagh Issa bin Sahel (d. 486 of the Hijri Calender), which provides a rich resource on the study of the experience in the medieval cities of Al Andalus. This and similar works reveal various features of Cordoba’s urban development, such as the gradual loss of the tribal dimension in urban planning, the importance of spatial centralization, the lack of clear boundaries between private and public property in the communal use of the urban space, and the significance of religion in the organization of residential units. Based on the material in Issa bin Sahel’s work, one may conclude that a large amount of planning and rationality was present in the organization of urban space in Cordoba, despite various flaws. This thesis debunks the commonly-held argument, promoted by Western researchers, that rationality was absent and that urban planning was weak in the development of Cordoba and Islamic cities in general.

Keywords: gardens, Kairouan, Fes, fatwas, urban quarters, souks, hamams, bakeries, alleys

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“Wheat and Mohammad Ali Pasha’s Independence Project during the Continental Blockade Crisis (1807 - 1815)”, by Nasser Suleiman

Napoleonic France established a continental blockade on the British economy at the end of 1806, before expanding that blockade to maritime lanes the following year, whence ships were prevented from reaching British ports. The crisis underscored the importance of wheat as a strategic commodity. Russia, one of the most important exporters of wheat, and the Ottoman Empire joined the siege, leading to the closure of almost all ports and shipping routes for British trade. Egypt was the alternative wheat exporter on the Mediterranean. It was ruled by an ambitious ruler, Mohammad Ali Pasha, who knew how to take advantage of the strategic value of wheat, especially when the imperial forces’ demand for wheat was on the rise. Mohammad Ali approached the British forces, asking them to support his ambitions for independence from the Ottoman Empire. Egyptian wheat thus entered the imperial struggle for power and became one of the factors that tilted the balance in favor of the British Empire. Napoleon was defeated and the French Empire collapsed, changing the path of modern European history. Equally, the large profits from wheat sales played an unmistakable role in enabling Mohammed Ali’s reform and modernization plans to go forward.

Keywords: France, England, Alexandria, Al Hejaz, Suez, Ottoman Empire, Wahhabism, Sublime Porte, Napoleon

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“The Justice Discourse in Sultanic Literature by Ibrahim Al-Qadri Boutshish”, a book review by Chamseddin Alkilani

The author explores the concept of justice in the “literature of sultanic ethics” (adaab sultania), writings which reflect the political views of the political structures that governed Muslim societies. This is done by framing the argument in three main categories: by clarifying the definition of justice in Sult discourse, identifying the references that formed the foundation of that discourse, and investigating the seeds of human rights in it. He concludes his study by attempting to find the influence of that discourse on our current political thought and experience. He focuses on four texts in depth: The Counseling Kings by Abu Hassan Ali bin Mohammad al-Mawardi, The Forged Sword in Counseling Kings by Imam al-Ghazali, The Symbols of Ruling an Emirate by Abu Bakr al-Maradi al-Hadrami, and Bright Stars of Beneficial Policy by Abu Qasem bin Radwan al-Maliqi. The discourse of justice is built on three pillars: the narrator (that is, the writer or advisor), the receiver (the Sultan, with whom the Ummah rises or falls), and the topic of the discourse (the specific form of justice for which advice is sought and directions are given). The author discusses these three pillars and the relationship between the Sultan and his subjects, as well as the ways he promotes justice in accordance to this discourse, based on the responsibility of the ruler and the obedience of the ruled.

Keywords: juristic politics, Caliphate, Ibn al-Muqaffa, Al-Ghazali, Asiatic mode of production

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"Prison and Prisoners: Examples from the Middle Ages in the Maghreb by Mustafa Nashat", a book review by Yahya Boulahya

This is a critique of Prison and Prisoners: Examples from the Middle Ages in the Maghreb by Mustafa Nashat. It introduces the book, discusses its major areas of focus, and presents its academic context. Special attention is paid to the term “prison,” the kinds of crimes that lead to imprisonment, and the types of prisoners and their characteristics. The review points out some of the issues missing from the book such as women, dhimmis, and mercenaries. It makes use of comparisons with similar writings, such as The Penal System and Prison in Middle Age Maghreb by Al Hussein Bouleqteeb and Prison in the Medieval Maghreb by Najmeddine Al-Hentati, in addition to Western studies. It also makes reference to various sources in order to investigate the roots of the terms used in the book and to clarify some missing details. The review intends to call attention to some of the polemics concerning the history of prisons and prisoners in the Maghreb in the middle ages, encouraging researchers and historians to continue their investigative efforts to extend our knowledge of these issues.

Keywords: judiciary, Muslim treatment of non-Muslims, Dar al-Kufr, Rabat, the Arab Maghreb

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“When a Nation Awakens by Sadek Hadjeres”, a book review by Noureddine Teniou

The memoirs of Sadek Hadjeres have long been awaited, not only for what they reveal about his life and the history of Algeria, but also for the ability of the author, one of the authors of the nationalist movement’s. Born in 1928, in the Kabylie, Hadjeres attended medical school at the University of Algiers in the late 1940s. In 1944 he joined the Algerian People’s Party and was elected in 1948 as head of the university branch of the Movement for the Victory of Democratic Freedoms, which was the legal cover for the People’s Party. He left the party in 1949, during what was then known as the Berber Crisis. In 1951, he was elected president of the Muslim Student Association of North Africa before changing allegiances in the very same year and joining the ranks of the Algerian Communist Party, eventually becoming a member of the central committee. During the War of Liberation, the political bureau in the party put him in charge of organizing and coordinating the Algerian Fighters for Liberation movement. After independence, Hadjeres remained a leftist and remained in the political opposition within his new party, the Socialist Vanguard Party. Hadjeres’ memoire, especially the first part depicting the 1940s, portray a period that represented an awakening for Algerians, one that got them involved in social and political work toward self-determination.

Keywords: Algeria, France, Liberation Movements, National Movement.

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“The Birth Pangs of Ottoman Rule in Arab Lands at the End of the Reign of Sulieman the Magnificent: a Reading of Released Documents”, by Abderrahim Benhadda

This review aims to provide an overview of a series of documents which were released as part of a publications series by the Istanbul Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture, specifically, a series of Ottoman documents on the Arab regions during the reign of Sulieman I (“the Magnificent”). These documents highlight the special nature of that specific era, when Ottoman rule in the Arab domains was centralized. The specific documents considered here were chosen primarily for their relation to the variety of geographical topics which they address. The author’s aim in focusing on this point is to underscore the importance of such areas of study to the Ottoman Empire, by understanding the importance which the Sublime Porte attached to various domains of study.

Keywords: Baghdad, basra, Al Hassa, Mecca, Medina, Aleppo, Tunis, Tripoli (Libya), Algiers, Algeria, Fas (Morroco), Sulieman the Magnificent (the First), Portugal, the Red Sea

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“Ottoman Census of Damascus in the Year 1086 Hijri (1675 - 1676)”, by Mustafa Ozturk

This document presents a translation of “Records of a Syrian Household”, with a Foreword by Mustafa Öztürk and which appeared in Turkish in 2004. “Records of a Syrian Household” investigates an Ottoman census of Damascus carried out in the year 1086 Hijri (1675 - 1676), which is recorded in the Ottoman archives and which provides a snapshot of the Syrian capital at a time when it had 10,000 households with an estimated total population of 50,000 individuals. Öztürk presents an overview of the registry books used for this household census, and looks closely at the survey features and the methodology used by the Ottoman state of the time. The historical significance of this document lies in the way it reflects an accurate picture of the demographic reality of the Ottoman realm, and in particular in its Arab regions. The text explored here also explores the economic significance of this census, which allowed for a more efficient and reliable tax collection. Öztürk also illustrates this document of economic and social history with a number of charts and tables.

Keywords: the Ottoman Empire, Damascus (City), Ottoman archive, survey records

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Periodization in Arab Islamic History, an Ostour symposium

Periodization is central to the social sciences and humanities, where it is often the cite of multidisciplinary debate. Interest in the question of periodization among Western academics predates that among Arab scholars, despite the centrality of the question. Ostour highlighted this issue at a symposium on December 20, 2015. The proceedings were divided into three main sessions: “Periodization and the Forms Taken by Periodization”; “Periodization in Various Domains: Experiences and Approaches”; and “Periodization in the Social Sciences and Humanities”.

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Masarat: Arab Scholars and their Contributions to the Writing of History: A Conversation with Egyptian Historian Mahmoud Ismail

Masarat introduces Arab scholars who have made distinguished contributions through their historical writings, and reveals their relationships with their subjects as well as the material, methodological and practical difficulties they encountered. This section also reflects on the extent to which these researchers have benefited from contemporary historiographical schools of thought and their openness to the other social sciences. In this edition, Ostour introduces its readers to Mahmoud Ismail, an Egyptian historian who uses his personal experience to illustration his involvement with Islamic history, particularly that of the Maghreb and the Islamic Andalus.

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