Islam and Its Impact on French Orientalism: The Case of Roger Garaudy as a model

Abstract

This research sheds light on one of the phenomena that emerged after the scientific and intellectual flourishing following the spread of Islam in Andalusia, which is Orientalism. Orientalism paid great attention to studying Islamic heritage in all its aspects and the history of Islam in general, and the history of Andalusia in particular. The French school of Orientalism was the first to highlight this topic due to its direct contact with Muslims. Additionally, this study focuses on a significant philosophical figure in our contemporary history whose life underwent many transformations between communism, Marxism, and Islam, and examines the impact of Islam on French Orientalism, particularly Roger Garaudy. Islam had a clear impact on Garaudy, culminating in his conversion to Islam. He portrayed Islam as it was eight centuries ago, contrasting the image portrayed by Western media to their people, which depicts Islam as merely violence and destruction. What the West conveys today is a falsehood driven by fear of their people converting to Islam