14 Facts About Mahmoud Messadi

Mahmoud Messadi was a Tunisian author and intellectual who served as Minister of Education and Minister of Culture.

Mahmoud Messadi's education began in the village Quranic school, where he memorized part of the Qur'an before starting primary school in Korba.

Mahmoud Messadi then completed high school in the Sadiqi Institute in Tunis in 1933.

Mahmoud Messadi graduated in 1936 and then began preparing his first PhD dissertation on Abu Nuwas, as well as a second on the rhythm of classical Arabic poetry.

Mahmoud Messadi finished the first dissertation, but the Second World War prevented him from defending it.

Mahmoud Messadi started teaching at the Islamic Studies center in Paris in 1952.

Mahmoud Messadi assumed responsibility for educational affairs in the National Independence Movement, thereby supporting the fight against French colonialism.

Mahmoud Messadi played a leadership role in the teachers' union.

Mahmoud Messadi participated in the negotiations with France for Tunisia's independence in 1955.

Mahmoud Messadi was the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies from 1981 to 1986.

Mahmoud Messadi worked with Tunisia's first president, Habib Bourguiba, on education policy.

Mahmoud Messadi established two magazines: al-Mabahith and al-Hiyaat al-Thiqaafiyya, which is still issued by the Ministry of Culture.

Mahmoud Messadi's works reveal his knowledge of the work of Muslim thinkers of various eras, and especially the ancient Arab literature that had interested him since high school.

Mahmoud Messadi's speciality was his ability to combine this knowledge of the rich Arabo-Islamic tradition with his extensive knowledge of Western literature and philosophy, particularly French.