Protestants, Gender and the Arab Renaissance in Late Ottoman Syria

The Ottoman Syrians in modern Syria and Lebanon established the first Arabic-speaking Evangelical Church, challenging Western-centric historiography and highlighting the agency of Syrian Protestant women and men in their own history. Their encounters with American missionaries, Eastern churches, and Muslims during the Nahda period (1860–1915) led to the establishment of a critical link between evangelical religiosity and the socio-cultural currents of the Nahda, resulting in literary and educational achievements and transforming Syrian society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 424 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2020
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The Ottoman Syrians, who resided in modern-day Syria and Lebanon, played a significant role in the establishment of the first Arabic-speaking Evangelical Church in the region. This book presents a comprehensive account of the interactions between this minority Protestant community and various external forces during the period known as the Nahda, spanning from 1860 to 1915. By drawing upon rare Arabic publications, the author challenges traditional historiography that tends to focus solely on Western male actors. Instead, the book highlights the active role played by Syrian Protestant women and men in shaping their own history and seeking the salvation of Syria while also adapting and challenging missionary teachings. These pioneers established a vital connection between evangelical religiosity and the socio-cultural currents of the Nahda, which in turn facilitated the literary and educational achievements of the American Syrian Mission and brought about lasting transformations in Syrian society.

Weight: 644g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474436724