SIBF 2025: Understanding the Dynamics of Greek-Arab Knowledge Sharing in Ancient Times

The integration of Greek into Islamic intellectual traditions was the subject of a panel discussion titled “Greek Knowledge in Arabic: Why, What and How” at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). Held as part of Greece’s guest of honour programme at SIBF 2025, and organised by the Centre of Arab Studies and Islamic Civilizations (CASIC) at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), the session explored the early Islamic world's interest in Greek learning, focusing on the motives behind the translation movement, and the intercultural dynamics it fostered. The panel delved into the early Abbasid period, and how Greek knowledge was adapted across different cultural and scholarly contexts.

Dr. Said Faiq, Professor of International Studies and Translation at AUS, stated that “translation is inherently linked to culture; it is not just about converting words but adapting them to a specific social, political and historical context”. He highlighted that the early Islamic period placed strong emphasis on the pursuit of knowledge, which gave rise to structured translation efforts thousands of years ago. He underscored the Abbasid era as a particularly significant period, during which the translation especially from Greek into Arabic flourished and contributed to building a robust intellectual and cultural foundation for the wider community.

“Greek and Greece were the biggest donors of information and the echoes of Greece are still with us today thanks to the translation into Arabic”, further noted Faiq, who is also a teacher and researcher on intercultural studies.

Dr. Marco Zuccato, Associate Professor of History at the International Studies Department in AUS, shared that the very first translations were from Persian to Arabic but when Alexander the Great defeated the Persian Empire, he had all the books translated to Greek and destroyed the original. Greek knowledge became a tool for maintaining administrative identity and power in the caliphates.

He also noted how the Greek inventions of the astrolabe, celestial globe, mechanical clocks and new instruments for surgical operations were perfected in the Islamic world. “The Arabs dedicated considerable time and studies in shaping the astrolabe to perfection,” he noted.

Dr. Nuha Alshaar, director of Arabic Studies and Islamic Civilisations at AUS, who moderated the session, spoke about the assimilation of Greek knowledge into Arabic culture, and how Muslim scholars played a role in shaping and assimilating it by adding their own interpretations. “The framework of friendship introduced by the scholars contributed to morality and societal harmony”, she said.

Sharjah International Book Fair 2025 is organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) under the theme ‘Between You and a Book’, and runs for 12 days until November 16 at Expo Centre Sharjah, welcoming authors, publishers and readers from 118 countries.