Rifā'a Rāfi' al-Ṭahṭāwī (1801-1873) is a public figure known in all the aspects of life in 19^th century Middle East. In a previous study about the history of translation in the Arab World during the 19^th century I was able to prove that... more
Rifā'a Rāfi' al-Ṭahṭāwī (1801-1873) is a public figure known in all the aspects of life in 19^th century Middle East. In a previous study about the history of translation in the Arab World during the 19^th century I was able to prove that al-Ṭahṭāwī started and led a school of translation, not of languages. This time I try to challenge a very basic thing that is commonly known about al-Ṭahṭāwī. It is said that he travelled to France in the first Egyptian mission to study abroad as 'Imām and preacher. I will count on re-reading his book about the trip and other sources which were published during his life and which came earlier than the famous sources.
