Professor Saleh Ahmed Al-Ali

Saleh Al-Ali received his Ph.D. from Oxford University in 1945, and was a research fellow at Harvard in the 1950s. For several decades, he was a Professor and a Professor Emeritus of Islamic History at the College of Arts and Sciences in Baghdad University, and an active participant in the cultural and intellectual life of his country. He was also Dean of the Institute for Higher Islamic Studies, member of Baghdad University Council and Acting President of the Center for Revival of Arab Scientific Heritage. He was also an honorary member, an associate member, and a corresponding member of the Arabic language academies of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, the Islamic Academy in Aligarh (India), the Jordanian Royal Academy for Islamic Civilization Research, and the Spanish Islamic Institute in Madrid. He was the President of the Iraqi Academy from 1978 to 1996.

Professor Saleh Ahmed Al-Ali was an accomplished scholar of Islamic history. He authored, edited and translated more than 25 books in addition to 170 articles, research papers and review articles dealing with different aspects of Islamic history and thought. His authoritative texts: The Social and Economic Structure of Basra During the First Century AH and Plans of Basra Region encompass a detailed characterization of Islamic cities during the early post-Islamic era and are examples of Al-Ali’s distinction. Other major books by Al-Ali, all of which testify to his exceptional erudition, include: Baghdad Layout of the 5th Hejira Century; Architectural Features of Baghdad; and Baghdad, City of Peace. Professor Al-Ali also wrote on governance and affairs of the Islamic State and translated Rosenthal’s: A History of Muslim Historiography and other books in his field.

Professor Al-Ali received the Jalal Sadiq Prize in Cairo in 1945.

This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.