Arabic translation helpful in reviving rare Greek heritage
House of Wisdom underscored the significant role played by the Arabs and Muslims, backed by Abbasid caliphs, in translating ancient Greek science and knowledge into Arabic
As part of its participation in the 20th Thessaloniki International Book Fair (TIBF) within Sharjah’s Guest of Honour delegation, House of Wisdom (HOW) presented the rich history of the translation movement that flourished at the ancient House of Wisdom in Baghdad during the 8th-10th centuries.
During the four-day international gathering, the Sharjah futuristic library educated the public about the efforts of Arab and Muslim translators in rendering Greek heritage in various disciplines, including philosophy, logic, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, engineering, literature, and music. This movement featured works by prominent Greek thinkers such as Aristotle, Plato, Ptolemy, Euclid, and Galen.
HOW further underscored the significant role played by the Arabs and Muslims, backed by Abbasid caliphs, in translating ancient Greek science and knowledge into Arabic. These endeavours were instrumental in preserving a significant portion of the Greek works ater the fall of the Roman Empire. Arab and Muslim scholars then analysed and interpreted these texts, spawning new ideas and methodologies, nurturing intellectual growth, and igniting the Golden Age of Islamic civilisation.
HOW Executive Director Marwa Al Aqroubi said: “Our participation as part of the first Arab Guest of Honour delegation aligns with the objectives of introducing the Greek audience to the cultural vision championed by the Emirate of Sharjah under the guidance of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. His Highness prioritises the advancement of Arabic translation, driven by a firm conviction that this serves as a vital tool for fostering cultural and human dialogue among diverse societies.
This vision has materialised into groundbreaking initiatives, notably including the Sharjah International Book Fair Translation Grant and the Sharjah Translation Award ‘Turjuman,’ among others. These endeavours underscore Sharjah’s enduring dedication to nurturing translation as a policy embraced for decades.”
She added: “We are pleased to revitalise the profound historical connection between Arabs and Greece, which flourished during the Islamic Golden Age through extensive translation and
Arabisation efforts at the ancient House of Wisdom. By enhancing communication between cultural institutions in the UAE and Greece, we aim to facilitate cultural dialogue between Greece and the Arab and Muslim world.”
In collaboration with the Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage, the HOW booth showcased several ancient Greek books translated into Arabic. Among these were Hunayn ibn Ishaq’s translation of “Aphorisms of Hippocrates” by great Greek philosopher Hippocrates, and Thabit ibn Qurra al-harrani’s translation of “The Virtues of the Soul” by Aristotle.
The booth also featured a short video in Arabic and Greek that introduced the translation movement at the historic House of Wisdom and highlighted key translators from Greek into Arabic, such as Hunayn ibn Ishaq (“Sheikh (Chief) of Translators”), Abu Yaqub al-kindi, Thabit ibn Qurra al-harrani, and Abu Nasr al-farabi.
Recently, Dr. Sultan Sooud Al Qasimi, a member of the Heritage Preservation Commitee in the UAE and member of the American University of Sharjah Board of Trustees, emphasised that a city’s identity extends beyond its physical heritage, cultural expressions, architectural prominence, and historical monuments.
Instead, it is intricately intertwined with the collective memory of its inhabitants, reflecting a shared human identity and cultural legacy.
This insight was shared during a panel discussion titled “City Identity” organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) at the ongoing Thessaloniki International Book Fair 2024. The panel, which also featured Nikos Vatopoulos, Professor at the University of Thessaloniki, a transport engineer, and the President of Thessaloniki City Council, was moderated by Katerina Tsapikidou, Director of the International Relations Service in Thessaloniki, under the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Discussing his book “City Identity”, Al Qasimi stated, “I wanted to explore the history of Sharjah because it encapsulates the broader history of the Gulf region. Many pioneering efforts began in Sharjah, encompassing journalism, municipal infrastructure, establishing the airport, and introducing postal services.