Gabriele Mandel

Gabriele Mandel (12 February 1924 in Bologna – 1 July 2010 in Milan) was an Italian Islamist, psychologist, writer, and artist of Afghan descent. He was also known as Gabriele Mandel Khān and as Gabriele Sugana.

Mandel was a Sufi guide (shaikh), of the Jerrahi Order.

Early life and education

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.

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.

Career 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.

Publications

Books in English (selected) Japanese Alphabet: The 48 Essential Characters (2008), Abbeville Press Arabic Script: Styles, Variants and Calligraphic Adaptations (2006), Abbeville Press Concise Guide to Tarot (1995), Grange Books; The Complete Paintings of Botticelli (1986), Penguin Classics of World Art; How to recognize Islamic art (1979), Macdonald Educational; The Life and Times of Genghis Khan; Portraits of Greatness (1970), Littlehampton Book Services Ltd; The Life and Times of Buddha; Portraits of Greatness (1968), Hamlyn; Siena, the city of the Palio (1959), Silvana Publisher; ASIN: B0007IYUOM

Books in Italian (selected) Alfabeto giapponese (2007), Milano, ed. Mondadori; Islam (2006), (Dizionari delle Religioni) ed. Electa Mondadori; Il Mathnawì di Jalàl àlDìn Rùmì (2006), edizione Bompiani, sei volumi; La musicoterapia dei sufi (2006) edizioni Arcipelago Edizione economica del Corano (2005) ed. UTET; La via al Sufismo nella spiritualità e nella pratica (2004) edito da Bompiani Storia del Sufismo (2001). Edizioni Bompiani; L'alfabeto ebraico (2000). Mondadori, Milano; L'alfabeto arabo (2000). Mondadori, Milano; La magia nell'Islàm (1997). Simonelli Editore; Alla ricerca dell'Io. Lezioni di storia della psicologia (1985). Arcipelago Edizioni; Essere e fare. Lezioni di storia e psicologia dell'arte (1984). Arcipelago Edizioni;

Awards

In Italy

Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana) on 17 November 1975.

In Turkey The Amphitheater 4 of the Selçuk University in Konya was named "Prof. Dr. Gabriel Mandel Khan" on 3 May 2010.