Islamic Ecumenism in the 20th Century

This survey of more than one century of inner-Islamic ecumenical activities in modern times concentrates on the role of the Cairo-based Azhar University and its relations to Shiite scholars. Particular emphasis is laid on the mutual dependency of theology and politics in the modern Islamic discourse.
The present volume describes the various phases of the inner-Islamic ecumenical dialogue in the 20th century between Sunnis and Shiites, the short-lived periods of success it achieved, but also the fierce mutual polemics it inevitably engendered.
The examination focuses on the role of the Cairene Azhar University as the most important representative of Sunni Islam and its relations with Shiite scholars. Particular importance is attached to the interdependency of theological arguments and the political motivations of the interlocutors, and especially to the significance of Islamic ecumenism for Egyptian foreign policy in the 1950s.
Although the main part of the study is confined to the time before 1979, in an epilogue the course of events is followed until most recent developments.