A printed Muslim 'lighthouse' in Cairo al-Manār's early years, religious aspiration and reception (1898-1903)

Abstract

On the basis of fresh documents the article tried to reconstruct a historical description of the establishment of the most well-known reformist magazine al-Manār. The personal papers of its founder Muhcombining dot belowammad Rašīd Ridcombining dot belowā uncover new information about the background of his journalistic plans and religious aspirations after his arrival in Egypt in 1897. The paper reconsiders Ridcombining dot belowā's early religious formation and apprenticeship in his homeland Syria; his position in the printing press in Egypt; the early funding of his magazine; his early integration in the Egyptian life; the early circulation of al-Manār; and his perspectives on the craft of printing in serving religious sciences. © Koninklijke Brill NV, 2009.