Ali ibn ‘Asakir (1105–1176) was one of the most renowned experts on Hadith and Islamic history in the medieval era. In a time when Damascus was contested by rival warlords and the Crusaders had captured Jerusalem, Ibn ‘Asakir's writings and his advocacy of major texts, lay the foundations for a Sunni revival in Syria. At the beginning of the 20th century, his History of Damascus was a key source of inspiration for several nationalist movements in Syria. In his lecture, Prof. Dr Suleiman Mourad outlines the importance of the Arabo-Islamic heritage in the formation and success of different forms of Nationalism in Syria.
Suleiman Mourad's research project "Islam and the Making of Modern Syrian National Identity: The Legacy of Ibn ‘Asakir of Damascus" was funded by the Gerda Henkel Foundation as part of the special programme Islam.