Gabriele Mandel (12 February 1924 in Bologna – 1 July 2010 in Milan) was an Italian islamist, psychologist, writer, and artist of Afghan descent.[1][2] He was also known by the names of Gabriele Mandel Khān and Gabriele Sugana.[3] He was also a Sufi guide (shaikh) in the Jerrahi Order.[4]

Gabriele Mandel
Born(1924-02-12)February 12, 1924
Bologna
DiedJuly 1, 2010(2010-07-01) (aged 86)
Milan
NationalityItalian

Early life and education

edit

Mandel was the son of the Jewish writer Carlotta Rimini and the Sufi and historian Yusuf Roberto Mandel (of Turco-Afghan descent). His godfather was the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio. A Muslim, Mandel promoted interfaith dialogue and peace-building throughout his life.[5]

In his youth Mandel studied music at the Conservatory of Vicenza, graduating in violin and harmony. After WWII (during which, along with his father, he was imprisoned and tortured by Nazis) he studied classical languages and literature and did extensive archaeological field research in India and in the Middle East, which he subsequently published. Later he developed scientific interests and graduated first in psychology and then as a medical doctor at the Faculty of Medicine of Pavia.[6]

Career

edit

After the training he began working as a psychotherapist, an activity that he continued during his life, in parallel with that of ceramist and writer. He wrote nearly two hundred books –many of which were translated into several languages- on subjects ranging from art history and calligraphy to Sufism. His ceramics have been exhibited throughout the world.[7]

Publications

edit

He was the author of some 200 books published by major Italian presses (Rizzoli, Mondadori, Rusconi, Longanesi, Edizioni San Paolo, Franco Maria Ricci, Bompiani, etc.), many of which have been translated into several languages, including English.[citation needed]

Books in English (selected)

edit
  • Japanese Alphabet: The 48 Essential Characters (2008), Abbeville Press ISBN 978-0-7892-0959-7
  • Arabic Script: Styles, Variants and Calligraphic Adaptations (2006), Abbeville Press ISBN 978-0-7892-0879-8
  • Concise Guide to Tarot (1995), Grange Books; ISBN 978-1856275927
  • The Complete Paintings of Botticelli (1986), Penguin Classics of World Art; ISBN 978-0140086485
  • Tantra - rites of love (1979), Rizzoli; ASIN: B001NOH50U
  • How to recognize Islamic art (1979), Macdonald Educational; ISBN 978-0140052381
  • The Life and Times of Genghis Khan; Portraits of Greatness (1970), Littlehampton Book Services Ltd; ISBN 978-0600338246
  • The Life and Times of Mohammed; Portraits of Greatness (1969), Hamlyn; ASIN: B002AHV1QS
  • The Life and Times of Buddha; Portraits of Greatness (1968), Hamlyn; ISBN 978-0600031536
  • Siena, the city of the Palio (1959), Silvana Publisher; ASIN: B0007IYUOM

Books in Italian (selected)

edit

Awards

edit

In Italy

edit

In Turkey

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Milano, è morto Gabriel Mandel Khan. "Ha fatto conoscere la cultura islamica in Italia"". RedattoreSociale.it. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  2. ^ ScuolaPhilo (2022-11-26). "ScuolaPhilo | Gabriele Mandel Khan. La saggezza dei sufi. Su Zoom". ScuolaPhilo.it. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  3. ^ "Gabriele Mandel Khân". Babelio (in French). Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  4. ^ "Gabriele Mandel Khan".
  5. ^ "Dialogo cristiano-islamico".
  6. ^ "L'addio a Gabriele Mandel, intellettuale sufi e artista". Corriere della Sera. July 2, 2010.
  7. ^ "Il Terrorismo? Una devianza psichica". Il Giornale. August 13, 2007.
  8. ^ "Gabriele Mandel". Festivalfilosofia (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  9. ^ "Le onorificenze della Repubblica italiana". Quirinale.it. 1975-11-17. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  10. ^ "Mevlânâ dostu Gabriel Mandel Khan da veda etti". ZAMAN. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
edit