Kamal Salibi

-K.Salibi-1-July_09

Kamal Salibi (2 May 1929 – 1 September 2011) was a prominent Lebanese historian and professor of history at the American University of Beirut. He is best known for his controversial theories on the origins of the Bible and the history of the Middle East.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Kamal Suleiman Salibi was born in Beirut, Lebanon. He completed his early education in Lebanon before moving to the United Kingdom to pursue higher studies. Salibi earned his Ph.D. in history from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

Academic Career[edit | edit source]

Salibi spent the majority of his academic career at the American University of Beirut (AUB), where he served as a professor of history. He was also a founding member of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies in Amman, Jordan.

Theories and Works[edit | edit source]

Salibi is best known for his book The Bible Came from Arabia (1985), in which he proposed that many of the events described in the Old Testament took place not in Palestine, but in the southwestern region of the Arabian Peninsula. This theory, known as the "Arabian Hypothesis," has been both highly controversial and influential.

Major Publications[edit | edit source]

The Bible Came from Arabia (1985)
A House of Many Mansions: The History of Lebanon Reconsidered (1988)
The Modern History of Lebanon (1965)

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Kamal Salibi's work has left a lasting impact on the field of Middle Eastern studies and biblical history. His theories continue to provoke debate and discussion among scholars and the general public alike.