Wikipedia

Muhammad al-Mukhtar al-Shinqiti

Muhammad al-Mukhtar al-Shinqiti (Arabic: محمد المختار الشنقيطي; born 1966) is a Mauritanian political activist, author, and academic. He currently works at Hamad Bin Khalifa University as an associate professor of political ethics and history of religion.[1][2] In addition, he writes Arabic articles in Al Jazeera, which, as of February 2020, had exceeded 400 articles.[3][4]

Dr.
Muhammad al-Mukhtar al-Shinqiti
محمد المختار الشنقيطي
Born1966 (age 57–58)
Nouakchott, Mauritania
Education
OccupationAssociate professor
SpouseOumoul Sidahmed
Children6

Al-Shinqiti has acquired degrees in different fields of both religious sciences and social sciences. These include fiqh, translation studies, business administration, and the history of religion.[5] He is a strong critic of Arab regimes and writes extensively about the Arab Spring, the Muslim world, and Islamic modernism.

Biography edit

Bearing one of the most common trinomials given names in Mauritania, al-Shinqiti was born in Nouakchott to a businessman and scholar. He memorized the Qur'an at the age of 11 and expanded his scholarship of religion by taking extra schooling years during high school. He then took an undergraduate double major in both religious sciences and translation studies.[6]

Along with translation in journalism, he first worked as a secondary school teacher. Then, due to his perceived conservative background, he was assigned a tutoring position in a salafi university in Yemen. He resigned two years later, stating that his views conflicted with their mainstream ideology, like, for example, denying the religious retribution of Ridda.[6]

During his scholarship in Texas, he volunteered to serve as an imam in the Islamic Center of South Plains in Lubbock.[6]

Political views edit

Shinqiti is a strong proponent of Islamism and considers himself "a brother of the Muslim Brotherhood". He emphasizes a compatibility between Shari'a and political freedom, claiming that any purported conflict between the two is a result of an unclear theory of religion. Also, he thinks the Islamic world suffers from a schism between Islamic and secular factions, which necessitates the emphasis on such compatibility.[7]

He has spoken against the Iranian-funded proxy conflict in the Middle East, which he says was facilitated by the United States.[8]

In 2008, responding to Yahya Jammeh's announcement of his intention to execute all homosexuals,[9] al-Shinqiti issued a fatwa about LGBT people and Islam in which he denied a scriptural ground for punishment of homosexuals.[10] However, he assured that it is strongly condemned and is considered by Islam to be immoral and "anti-life".[11][12]

Al-Shinqiti also expressed wide support for Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War. According to him, it is a sign of an Islamic awakening in which "Arabs and Turks fight against the oppressive regimes".[13]

Personal life edit

Al-Shinqiti has six children and lives in Doha, Qatar. His youngest daughter, Iman, is an American citizen by birth.[6]

Bibliography edit

Arabic edit

  • — (2013), الخلافات السياسية بين الصحابة [The Political Disputes Between Companions of the Prophet], Beirut: Arab Network for Research and Publishing, ISBN 9786144310151
  • — (2016), أثر الحروب الصليبية على العلاقات السنية الشيعية [The Crusaders' Impact on Suni-Shi'a Relations], Beirut: Arab Network for Research and Publishing, ISBN 9786144311196

Turkish edit

  • — (2005), Sahabe Arasindaki Siyasi Ihtilaflar [The Political Disputes Between Companions of the Prophet], Istanbul: Cira Yayinlar, ISBN 9789756353257
  • — (2012), Hacli Savaslarinin Etkisi Altinda Sunni-Sii Iliskileri [The Crusaders' Impact on Suni-Shi'a Relations], Istanbul: İlimyurdu Yayıncılık, ISBN 9786055793692

References edit

  1. ^ "Mohamed El-Moctar El-Shinqiti - Academia.edu". independent.academia.edu. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
  2. ^ "Muhammad bin Mukhtar Al-Shanqiti". Middle East Monitor. 2016-12-19. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
  3. ^ "محمد بن المختار الشنقيطي". www.aljazeera.net. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
  4. ^ "Dr. Mohamed El-Moctar Shinqiti | CILE - Research Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics". www.cilecenter.org. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
  5. ^ "Mohamed El-Moctar El-Shinqiti". Islam Online Archive. Retrieved Feb 1, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d Pratt, Beth (27 January 2007). "El-Moctar is a writer, student and father in addition to serving as a religious leader | Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal". Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  7. ^ "Qatar Foundation | Prominent Islamic Scholar Emphasizes Harmony Between Freedom And Shari'a". 9 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2018-03-08. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  8. ^ Schreck, Adam; Keath, Lee (15 July 2015). "Arab world worried boosted Iran will further bloody region". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  9. ^ President Jammeh Gives Ultimatum for Homosexuals to Leave Archived 15 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Gambia News, 19 May 2008.
  10. ^ Zaharin, Aisya Aymanee M. (August 2022). "Reconsidering Homosexual Unification in Islam: A Revisionist Analysis of Post-Colonialism, Constructivism and Essentialism". Religions. 13 (8): 702. doi:10.3390/rel13080702.
  11. ^ "Threats to Behead Homosexuals: Shari'ah or Politics? - Disciplinary Penalties (ta'zir) - counsels - OnIslam.net". 9 June 2008. Archived from the original on 2013-03-02. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  12. ^ Kutty, Faisal (2014-03-27). "Why Gay Marriage May Not Be Contrary To Islam". HuffPost Canada. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  13. ^ Bitmez, Serdar; Semerci, Ali (29 Feb 2020). "Arab authors, intellectuals extend support to Turkey". Archived from the original on 2020-03-01. Retrieved 2020-04-13.

External links edit

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