Occidentalism/ Orientalism in Reverse: The West in the Eyes of Modern Arab Intellectuals
Keywords:
Occidentalism, Arab intellectuals, Orientalism, Edward Said, modernity, dialogueAbstract
This article analyzes the phenomenon of Occidentalism as it is perceived by modern Arab intellectuals, exploring whether it exists as a counterpart to Edward Said's concept of Orientalism. The author examines both literary and non-literary forms of Arab Occidentalism, focusing on how selected Arabic novels and social critics depict the West. The study investigates three Fanonian approaches to dealing with the Arab self and the Western Other: unqualified assimilation, return to indigenous values, and the fighting phase. Key findings include the ambivalent views of Arab intellectuals towards the West, seeing it simultaneously as an obstacle against and a model for reform. The article argues that while some scholars deny the existence of Occidentalism, others recognize it as a domain of knowledge with various understandings. The significance of this work lies in its contribution to the dialogue between the Muslim world and the West, advocating for more academic centers dedicated to unbiased studies of the West.(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)
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