In Youssef Chahine’s 1997 historical film Al Maseer (‘Destiny’), twelfth century Caliph Yaqub Al-Mansur’s youngest son, Abdallah (Hani Salama) is recruited by Islamist extremists, who launch war on Andalusian philosopher Ibn Rushd (Nour Al-Sherif) and the band of bohemian artists who rally behind him in support.  Amidst the ideological battle, Abdallah finds himself torn between … Continue reading Egypt’s Debate on Music in Islam: Between Religious Austerity and Spiritual Ecstasy