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ON THE IMPACT OF THE DESERT ENVIRONMENT ON ISLAM

Bassam Michael Madany

26 October 2022

On Program 186 of Hamed Abdel-Samad, he dealt with “The Impact of the Desert Milieu on the Rise of Islam.” He added that the Arabian tribal tradition of raids on other tribes, became the Operas Operandi of the Islamic Futuhat (Imperialist Expansions) throughout the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM17KyUqV0k&t=555s

As the German-Egyptian writer expounds his thesis via a journey within the History of Islam on YouTube, several of the viewers/ listeners start sending their comments.

“I’m extremely excited about this series! Keep up the great work, sir”

“Dear Professor, you enlighten us with your rational, logical, and deep thoughts!”

“What a joy to listen to you! It’s become one of my best life experiences. I can hardly find words to describe the internal peace I receive from your guiding light.”

“Glad to have you back, dear Professor Hamed! Your friendliness touches me as well as many Moroccans I know. You have won our hearts. May God protect you!"  

“You are always radiant and convincing. I'm learning a great deal from you. A big thank you!”

“Every Monday, I wait eagerly for the lectures of Dr. Hamed to acquire an accurate information about subjects that were not properly treated at our schools. Ever since I discovered your lectures, I haven’t missed any session.” 

“Greetings Professor Hamed, thank you for the subject you expounded today. As you mentioned, the Arabs are beneficiaries of the world’s cultural treasures, but not its producers. And that has been going on from the very beginnings of Islam.”

Comment

Hamed Abdel-Samad[i] is a well-known German-Egyptian writer who grew up in Egypt. His father, the Imam of the village mosque, saw to it that his son memorized the Qur’an from his earliest days, with the hope that one day, Hamed would take his place.

Hamed went to Cairo and received a regular education. For some time, he became a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. His love for learning took him to Germany where he studied and changed his views about Islam.

Having mastered the German language, Hamed Abdel-Samad taught at German Universities.  He published several books in German, Arabic, English, and other languages.

His interviews in Germany appear on Deutsche Welle (International German public radio and television channel) In the eyes of Muslims, both in Egypt and elsewhere in the Muslim world, he is regarded as a heretic. He lives under the protection of the Federal German Police.

Thanks to the YouTube technology, Hamed Abdel-Samad is heard world-wide. Those watching him send their comments that appear instantly on the screen. Thus, Hamed is in personal contact with an audience consisting mostly of the young generation.

We are witnessing a new phenomenon in the Muslim world. The young Arab generation is being impacted by one whose worldview is diametrically opposed to Islam. Can we expect the Muslim world to be seriously impacted by an “enlightenment” that thousands are receiving from Hamed Abdel-Samad and his colleagues?   

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ⁱ https://www.bookdepository.com/author/Hamed-Abdel-Samad