Annemarie Schimmel

Annemarie Schimmel (1922-2003) was one of the leading experts on Islamic literature and mysticism (Sufism) in the world. She wrote more than 80 books and essays, and lectured at universities and conferences around the world. Professor Schimmel’s teaching posts included Ankara University, the University of Bonn, and Harvard University. Her writings include translations into English and German from works in Persian, Urdu, Arabic and Turkish, as well as studies of Muslim saints, Sufism, and Islamic literature.  Her book Mystical Dimensions of Islam (1975) is considered a classic in its field.

Professor Annemarie Schimmel contributed the foreword to the latest edition of Frithjof Schuon’s masterpiece, Understanding Islam In her foreword to Understanding Islam she writes: “Schuon’s book shows the essence of Islam, compares its world view with that of Christianity and often brings examples from other religious traditions, all of which his vast erudition comprises. The style of the work reminds the reader sometimes of crystalline pure forms, and yet one often finds passages which touch the heart.”