Egyptian Philosopher Murad Wahba Dies at 100, Leaving a Legacy of Enlightenment and Resistance to Extremism
Dr. Murad Wahba, the esteemed Egyptian philosopher, passed away on Thursday at the age of 100, leaving behind a substantial intellectual legacy that has shaped contemporary Arab thought.
Dr. Wahba served as a professor of philosophy at Ain Shams University and was the president of the International Ibn Rushd Association. He was recognized as a leading proponent of enlightenment and secularism in Egypt and the broader Arab region.
The Egyptian Minister of Culture, Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hano, expressed his condolences, highlighting that Dr. Wahba's extensive philosophical contributions have significantly advanced a culture of dialogue and scientific inquiry over many decades.
Known for his outspoken opposition to extremist ideologies and political Islam, Dr. Wahba established a philosophical framework that has served as a defense against fundamentalism for over seventy years.
His intellectual pursuits centered on the revival of Rationalism, inspired by the philosopher Ibn Rushd, emphasizing that critical thinking and enlightened perspectives are essential for the future of humanity.
Dr. Wahba was a strong advocate for secularism, arguing that it does not oppose religion but rather seeks to delineate the sacred from the political to prevent the misuse of religious beliefs in political disputes.
His influential book, The Angel of Absolute Truth, critiques the notion of possessing absolute truth as a root cause of terrorism and extremism, addressing the conflict between reason and fundamentalism that he passionately debated throughout his life.
Born in Asyut, southern Egypt, in 1926, Dr. Wahba earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Fouad I University in 1947 and a PhD in contemporary philosophy from Alexandria University in 1959.
He held various academic roles at Ain Shams University and lectured at several universities in Russia and the West. He also led the human studies unit at the Middle East Research Center.
The death of Dr. Wahba signifies the conclusion of an era of enlightened thought and heralds a lasting legacy of intellectual resistance against extremism, ensuring his status as a symbol of secularism and rationality in the Arab world.
