Makram Abbès

Makram Abbès is a Professor of Arabic Studies at the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS Lyon) and a researcher at the Triangle laboratory (UMR 5206). He is also a junior member of the Institut Universitaire de France and currently serves as Director of CEFREPA (French Center for Research on the Arabian Peninsula) since 2021. His work focuses on Islamic moral and political philosophy, medieval political thought, and the translation of classical Arabic texts into French.

His research spans topics such as the theory of war in Islam, the political theories of scholars like Al-Mâwardî and Avempace, and intercultural dialogue through translation. Notably, he received the 2015 Ibn Khaldoun-Senghor Translation Award for his translation of Al-Mâwardî’s De l’Éthique du Prince et du gouvernement de l’État, praised for its clarity and modern interpretation of medieval political thought.

Abbès has authored or edited numerous publications, including Islam et modernité (2015), Freedom of Speech (2023), and co-edited volumes on Edward Said’s legacy. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary debates on Islam, governance, and intercultural communication. He has also contributed to media discussions on topics like human rights in Islam and the philosophy of jihad.

His academic roles include editorial leadership of journals like Éthique, Politique, Religions and active participation in international conferences. His research emphasizes the relevance of classical Islamic thought to modern political discourse, blending rigorous textual analysis with interdisciplinary approaches.