Mahmoud M. Shaker
King Faisal Prize in Arabic Language and Literature 1984 Laureate
Topic: "Studies on Arabic Literature During the 4th Century A.H."
Read your history by a sightful Arabian view, not by a European perspective merged with nationalism
Mahmoud Shaker completed his general education in Cairo. Initially, he was attracted to mathematics and English classes but later became more inclined towards Arabic language and literature. He was admitted into the College of Arts in Cairo only to leave two years later as a result of a dispute with his mentor and Dean of College, Dr. Taha Hussein. He traveled to Saudi Arabia where he founded a primary school in Jeddah, and served as its headmaster for some years, then became a full-time writer and researcher.
Shakir was one of the most influential scholars of ancient Arabic literature. His prolific writings on this subject include classical editions of many important early texts and selected anthologies, such as the works of Maqrizi, Ahmad al-Katib, Al-Tobari, Al-Zubair ibn Bakkar, Abu Tammam, and others. Of particular importance are his books Abatil wa Asmar (2 volumes) and Al-Mutanabbi. The latter book is still one of the most authoritative studies on the works of this great Arab poet, and was re-published several times. Shaker also reviewed and verified several other ancient Arabic transcripts and published hundreds of literary articles. He was a co-founder of Dar-al-Uruba, which specializes in publishing Arabic classics.
Shaker was awarded the Egyptian State Prize for Arabic Literature in 1981, and was elected to the Arabic Language academies in Cairo and Damascus, and the International Advisory Council of Al Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation in London.
This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.
Mahmoud Shaker completed his general education in Cairo. Initially, he was attracted to mathematics and English classes but later became more inclined towards Arabic language and literature. He was admitted into the College of Arts in Cairo only to leave two years later as a result of a dispute with his mentor and Dean of College, Dr. Taha Hussein. He traveled to Saudi Arabia where he founded a primary school in Jeddah, and served as its headmaster for some years, then became a full-time writer and researcher.
Shakir was one of the most influential scholars of ancient Arabic literature. His prolific writings on this subject include classical editions of many important early texts and selected anthologies, such as the works of Maqrizi, Ahmad al-Katib, Al-Tobari, Al-Zubair ibn Bakkar, Abu Tammam, and others. Of particular importance are his books Abatil wa Asmar (2 volumes) and Al-Mutanabbi. The latter book is still one of the most authoritative studies on the works of this great Arab poet, and was re-published several times. Shaker also reviewed and verified several other ancient Arabic transcripts and published hundreds of literary articles. He was a co-founder of Dar-al-Uruba, which specializes in publishing Arabic classics.
Shaker was awarded the Egyptian State Prize for Arabic Literature in 1981, and was elected to the Arabic Language academies in Cairo and Damascus, and the International Advisory Council of Al Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation in London.
This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.
- He authored many books that include:
- Qadiyyat Al-Shear Al-Jahili Fi Kitab Ibn Salam (Dar Al-Madani), (1997).
- Madakhil Ea’jaz Al-Quran (Dar Al-Madani), (2002), (published after death).
- Easifee Ya Riyah Wa Qasaeid Okhra (Dar Al-Madani), (2002), (published after death).
- Mahmoud Mohammad Shaker passed away in Cairo on 7/8/1997.
- He authored many books that include:
- Qadiyyat Al-Shear Al-Jahili Fi Kitab Ibn Salam (Dar Al-Madani), (1997).
- Madakhil Ea’jaz Al-Quran (Dar Al-Madani), (2002), (published after death).
- Easifee Ya Riyah Wa Qasaeid Okhra (Dar Al-Madani), (2002), (published after death).
- Mahmoud Mohammad Shaker passed away in Cairo on 7/8/1997.