Jalāl Āl-e Aḥmad: Esteqlāl-e rowshanfekr Persian 2026

The Independence of the Intellectual: Jalal Al-e Ahmad is a collection of analytical essays examining the thought, social engagement, and intellectual position of Jalal Al-e Ahmad within the history of modern Iranian intellectual life. The volume has been compiled and edited by Ali Fayaz and includes both an introduction and a concluding section that clarify the theoretical framework and guide the trajectory of the discussion.

In this collection, Jalal Al-e Ahmad is examined not merely as a literary figure, but as an active participant in the social and political arena of his time. The essays begin by exploring his relationship with literature and proceed to analyze key concepts such as Gharbzadegi (“Westoxication”) and the idea of “return,” notions that played a significant role in shaping the intellectual discourse of the mid-twentieth century in Iran.

The work seeks to present a coherent portrait of Al-e Ahmad’s intellectual independence, social concerns, and the evolution of his thought. It concludes with a synthesis of the main arguments and provides references and supplementary notes, offering a valuable foundation for researchers, students, and readers interested in Iranian intellectual history.

First published in Sweden in 1989 (1990 CE), this book remains a significant resource for understanding the position of Jalal Al-e Ahmad in the landscape of modern Iranian thought.