Economic Characteristics of The Cattle Breeders of The Surkhan-Sherabad Oasis by Ethnoterritorial Location at The Beginning of the 20th Century

Аннотация

This article examines the major themes, PUBLISHED 31 May 2025 narrative techniques, and historical influences in the VOLUME Vol.05 Issue05 2025 works of Egyptian novelist Jamal al-Ghitani. Through a synthesis of Islamic historiography, Sufi mysticism, and modern literary forms, al-Ghitani reshaped Arabic COPYRIGHT narrative to reflect both historical consciousness and © 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms contemporary political critique. His fiction provides a of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License. unique case study in the adaptation of classical Arabic traditions to modernist literary sensibilities. Keywords: Jamal al-Ghitani, Arabic literature, Sufism, historical narrative, postmodernism, Zayni Barakat. Introduction: Jamal al-Ghitani (1945–2015) was an Egyptian novelist and journalist, widely regarded as one of the most innovative voices in contemporary Arabic literature. His works bridge the gap between Islamic heritage, Sufi mysticism, and postmodern literary techniques, creating a rich tapestry of narratives deeply rooted in both Arabic classical tradition and modern existential inquiry. Historical and Cultural Influences Al-Ghitani’s writing is heavily influenced by: • Islamic historiography (especially works by al-Maqrizi and Ibn Khaldun) • Sufi philosophy (particularly the ideas of Ibn Arabi and al-Hallaj) • Classical Arabic prose (maqama, hadith-style narration) • Political experiences during and after Nasser’s regime, and the trauma of the 1967 Arab- Israeli war These elements are not merely referenced but reimagined, allowing al-Ghitani to create narratives that explore identity, power, and the metaphysical European International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research 127 https://eipublication.com/index.php/eijmrms and Management Studies European International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Management Studies within an Arabic-Islamic framework. soul’s journey toward divine truth Major Themes c. Al-Muqaffa’at (The Notebooks) a. History and Memory • A metafictional work involving fragmented texts, chronicles, and marginalia • Al-Ghitani blurs the line between past and present. His novels often reconstruct historical • Explores the construction of meaning, narratives to comment on contemporary political and historical subjectivity, and textuality itself cultural issues. d. Risalat al-Tajrubah (Letter of the Experience) • Example: In Zayni Barakat (1974), the author • A philosophical prose meditation structured reconstructs a Mamluk-era Cairo to subtly critique the as a letter authoritarianism of Nasser’s Egypt. • Engages with questions of authorship, b. Mysticism and the Search for Truth consciousness, and reality • Many of his works incorporate Sufi Literary Style and Innovations metaphors, spiritual journeys, and the idea of inner • Hybrid narrative: Combines fiction, history, purification. journalism, and religious texts • Example: The Book of Illumination (Kitab al- • Symbolism: Frequent use of allegorical Tajalli) presents a mystical journey through layers of characters, especially the figure of the "scribe," reality and self-discovery. "watcher," or "seer" c. Power and Surveillance • Temporal ambiguity: Past and present are • Themes of control, public manipulation, and often indistinguishable, creating atemporal narratives the erosion of personal freedom recur, particularly • High intertextuality: Quotations and through historical allegory. allusions to classical Arabic works serve both as homage • In Zayni Barakat, surveillance and and critique propaganda techniques reflect modern totalitarian Political and Philosophical Dimensions practices. • Al-Ghitani’s works subtly challenge political d. Language and Form repression and cultural stagnation in the Arab world. • Al-Ghitani experiments with non-linear • His critique is not overt but allegorical, narratives, intertextuality, and archival formats (letters, avoiding censorship while offering profound political chronicles, reports). insights. • His prose often mimics the rhythm and • He also interrogates the limits of knowledge, syntax of classical Arabic, particularly Qur’anic and both rational and mystical, suggesting that truth lies in historical texts, giving his writing a solemn and layered, contradictory experiences. immersive tone. Legacy and Influence Key Works and Their Analysis • Al-Ghitani has inspired a generation of Arab a. Zayni Barakat (1974) postmodernists who draw on classical sources while • Setting: Cairo during the Mamluk period engaging with contemporary themes. (early 16th century) • He has been compared to Umberto Eco and • Narrative Technique: Multiple narrators, Jorge Luis Borges for his erudite fiction and playful historical documents, secret reports engagement with the archive. • Themes: Tyranny, betrayal, identity, • His journalism (notably as editor of Akhbar surveillance al-Adab) also contributed to shaping modern Arabic • Significance: A political allegory of modern