The reformist and intellectual efforts of Mohamed El-Amin El-Amoudi and Ali Marah and their impact on enriching the national cultural system

Abstract

In an effort to highlight the contributions of reformist thinkers in the Maghreb region, this summary aims to present both Professor Mohamed El-Amin El-Amoudi (1890–1957), Secretary-General of the Association of Algerian Muslim Scholars, and Dr. Ali Marah (1930–2017), a prominent thinker within the contemporary reformist movement. The focus will be on shedding light on the key intellectual milestones of each figure, emphasizing their respective efforts within the broader framework of the reformist movement. This will involve examining, describing, and analyzing their intellectual heritage through a critical review and investigation of their most significant available works. In addition to their deep-rooted immersion in authentic Arab-Islamic culture and active engagement in the Algerian reformist movement, both thinkers also drew from the wellspring of Western (specifically French) intellectual traditions. This dual cultural exposure enriched their perspectives, particularly on concepts such as modernity, democracy, and human rights. It is also worth noting that while the first thinker, El-Amoudi, remained in his homeland throughout his life, the second, Marah, emigrated to France during the 1960s.