Al-Istishraq al-Jadid (New Orientalism: Preliminary Introductions)

This book titled “New Orientalism: Preliminary Introductions” by Abdullah al-Wuhaibi, a Saudi scholar known for addressing modern intellectual trends, examines the evolution of Orientalism post-World War II. It traces how traditional Orientalism, tied to colonialism and missionary aims, transformed into a modern field with new methodologies: linguistic, anthropological, and feminist, while retaining institutional support. The book critiques attempts to reshape Islamic studies under terms like “Arabist” or “Islamic specialist,” highlighting their ideological underpinnings.

The work’s clear, scholarly style unpacks complex ideas, using citations from figures like Bryan Turner to reveal how New Orientalism serves political agendas, such as stereotyping Muslim societies. It serves as a key resource for those studying the intellectual history of Orientalism and its impact on perceptions of Islam in contemporary academic and political discourse.