Muslim Council of Elders Explores Contemporary Relevance of Sibawayh and Connection to Modern Arabic in a Seminar at the Cairo International Book Fair
The pavilion of the Muslim Council of Elders held its tenth cultural seminar at the 57th Cairo International Book Fair, titled “The Contemporary Relevance of Sibawayh and the Arabic of Our Time,” with the participation of Professor Dr. Abdel Fattah Habib, Professor of Linguistics at Al‑Azhar University. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Rabee’ Al‑Ghafir, also a Professor of Linguistics at Al‑Azhar University.
The seminar explored Sibawayh’s prominent position in the heritage of Arabic linguistics, the impact of his contributions on understanding contemporary Arabic, and the role of linguistic scholarship in preserving the authenticity of the language while enabling it to meet the needs of the modern era.
Professor Dr. Abdel Fattah Habib stated that Sibawayh possessed extraordinary intellect and a powerful, authoritative scholarly reasoning. He noted that his book is a foundational reference for scholars past and present. He emphasized that anyone engaging in any branch of Arabic or Islamic sciences must begin with a thorough study of Sibawayh’s book prior to delving deeper into their chosen field.
He added that everything in Sibawayh’s book is governed by a precise scientific methodology. He stressed that the sequence of examples in the work was not random, but rather reflected a well‑established method for shaping linguistic reasoning. He explained that the intellectual training fostered by the book stems from Sibawayh’s mastery of analogical reasoning, in which he reached an advanced level of scholarly distinction.
Professor Habib also highlighted that the book must be read patiently and deliberately due to the depth and richness of its scholarly content. He noted that interest in the work has never waned since its appearance; it has remained a subject of careful study among scholars and students—both publicly and privately—throughout the centuries. He pointed to two notable critical editions of the book: one by Sheikh Abd al‑Salam Haroun of Egypt, and another by Professor Muhammad Al‑Bakka’ of Iraq.
The Muslim Council of Elders is participating at the 57th Cairo International Book Fair, held from 21 January to 3 February 2026. The pavilion showcases a wide range of the Council’s publications, alongside a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of peace and peaceful coexistence among all people.
The pavilion of the Muslim Council of Elders is located next to the Al‑Azhar Pavilion in Heritage Hall No. 4 at the Egypt International Exhibition and Convention Center in the Fifth Settlement.