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Questions about Annemarie Schimmel

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When and where was Annemarie Schimmel born?

Annemarie Schimmel was born on the 7th of April 1922 in Erfurt, Germany. Her father Paul worked as a postal worker while her mother Anna came from a family connected to international trade and seafaring.

What major academic achievement did Annemarie Schimmel complete at age 19?

Annemarie Schimmel received a doctorate in November 1941 with her thesis about the Position of the Caliph and the Qadi in Late Medieval Egypt. The thesis earned magna cum laude honors shortly after completion.

Why is Annemarie Schimmel significant for Ankara University history?

Annemarie Schimmel became professor of the history of religion at Ankara University in Turkey in 1954. She spent five years teaching there and made history as the first woman and the first non-Muslim to teach theology at that institution.

How long did Annemarie Schimmel serve at Harvard University?

Annemarie Schimmel inaugurated the Indo-Muslim studies program at Harvard University in 1967 and remained faculty for twenty-five years until retirement. Living in quarters on campus allowed her to maintain close ties with students and colleagues during this extended period.

Which awards did the government of Pakistan give to Annemarie Schimmel?

The government of Pakistan honored Annemarie Schimmel with its highest civil awards: the Star of Excellence and the Crescent of Excellence for her works on Islam, Sufism, and Muhammad Iqbal. Muhammad Iqbal served as a prominent philosopher and national poet of Pakistan whose ideas she championed extensively.

When and how did Annemarie Schimmel die?

Annemarie Schimmel lived in Bonn until her death on the 26th of January 2003 at age 80. Her grave bears a quotation from Ali ibn Abi Talib saying People are asleep. When they die, they wake up.