Islam of the street religion in modern Arabic literature

Author's name: Mohsen Jassim Al-Mosawi Publisher: The National Center for Translation Year of publication: 2024 Literary classification: Literature Book overview: The book clarifies the close relationship that links religion with the street as depicted by modern Arabic literature, and at the same time monitors the rupture between the elite and the general public, which allowed reactionary currents to appear at the expense of the Renaissance thought. The book deals with the popular side of Islam, as explained not only in traditional religious books but also in writings of thinkers who influenced public opinion. Dr. Mohsen Al-Mosawi explains the escalating gap that developed between intellectuals, who led Arab and Islamic modernity since the late 19th century, and the rise of Islamic fervor among the grassroots level in the street, and what intellectuals can offer to reconnect with the masses again and confront reactionary currents. The author's final advice was the necessity of reformulating the culture of the Renaissance era discourse to be more capable of enriching awareness among these audiences. Dr. Mohsen Jassim Al-Mosawi, writer, novelist, critic, professor of Arabic and Comparative Studies at Columbia University, New York. He has published numerous works in both Arabic and English, and received the Al-Owais Award for Literary Criticism in 2002, the Kuwait Award for Arabic Language and Literature in 2018, and the King Faisal Prize for Arabic Language and Literature in 2022.