"… El-Daly states that
the sources show not only a keen interest, but also serious scholarship that seeks to understand and benefit from the study of Ancient Egypt." (p. 4
The author systematically considers the historical approach taken to the study of Egyptology, discussing the currently held view held as well as the previous relevant works with the most recent being carried out in 2001, coming to the conclusion that no substantial work has been put forward analysing Ancient Egypt in the Arabic sources. He discusses in length the approach taken by Arabic writers to the study of Egyptology and how it differed from that of the Western approach. It can be seen that the Muslim observations from the time of first contact with Egypt through trading to the actual association were based on a sincere desire to get to know the culture and customs with major influences from the Qur’an and hadith which exhort appreciation of other nations and advice to establish relationships. The book also describes how Medieval Arab writers produced their works on Egypt through direct observation, discourses with Egyptian savants, classical sources, Jewish sources and other Arabic sources as well as giving background information on the topics discussed.
تم تصغير هذه الصورة ... نقره على هذا الشريط لعرض الصورة بمقاسها الحقيقي علما بأن مقاسات الصورة قبل التصغير هو 775 في 582
Figure 2: Dr. Okasha El Daly with Professors Ekmeleddin Ihsanoǧlu and Salim Al-Hassani in New York on the occasion of the exhibition at the United Nations on Multi-Faith Scientists in Islamic Civilization (12-13 November 2008). © FSTC
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The study clearly shows that the documents produced by the Islamic scholars of the time on Egyptology are still widely referred to today and help to gain a better understanding of the time with many still seeking manuals on treasure hunting in order to realise private gains. The importance of hidden treasures and their hunters to the Islamic state can best be seen in the example of the 9th century ruler of Egypt, Ibn Tulun