Eyes for Zubaida: Merip Explained
- Sami Zubaida, a distinguished scholar of Middle Eastern political sociology, law, and culinary culture, died in London on April 6, 2025.
- Born into an Iraqi Jewish family, Zubaida pursued higher education in the United kingdom, earning degrees from the University of Hull and the University of Leicester.
- Zubaida supervised numerous doctoral students and was known for his intellectual generosity.
Explore the life and legacy of Sami Zubaida, a preeminent scholar, who considerably shaped Middle Eastern studies. This article delves into the impactful career of Zubaida, who challenged conventional narratives with his insightful explorations of political sociology, law, and culinary culture. Discover his founding of the Department of Politics and Sociology at Birkbeck and his work examining the sociology of Islam and nationalism. Zubaida’s contributions, including co-founding the Middle East study Group (MESG), are crucial. News Directory 3 brings you this comprehensive overview of a scholar’s dedicated pursuit of knowledge.Uncover the nuances of Zubaida’s influence on how we understand the Middle East. Discover what’s next …
Sami Zubaida, Middle East Scholar, Dies at 81
Updated June 17, 2025
Sami Zubaida, a distinguished scholar of Middle Eastern political sociology, law, and culinary culture, died in London on April 6, 2025. He was 81.
Born into an Iraqi Jewish family, Zubaida pursued higher education in the United kingdom, earning degrees from the University of Hull and the University of Leicester. In 1972, he co-founded the Department of Politics and Sociology at Birkbeck, University of London, where he later became an Emeritus Professor.His courses on political sociology and the intersection of religion, culture, and politics were popular among students.
Zubaida supervised numerous doctoral students and was known for his intellectual generosity. Colleagues remember him as insightful and skeptical of obscurity in social sciences. His accessible writing style made his work popular among academics and general readers alike. His scholarship spanned the sociology of Islam, nationalism, Iraqi politics, and food cultures. He consistently challenged Orientalist perspectives.
His influential books include “Islam, the People and the State” (1989) and “Beyond Islam” (2010), considered essential texts in the sociology of Islam.
Zubaida also explored food culture, co-editing “A Taste of Thyme: Culinary Cultures of the middle East” (1994) and “Food, politics, and Society: Social Theory and the Modern Food System” (2018). These works examined how food reflects the region’s diverse identities, economies, and histories. He appreciated global cuisine, especially that of southwest France.
Along with Fred Halliday, Talal Asad, and Roger Owen, Zubaida co-founded the Middle East Study Group (MESG), a forum for academics, journalists, and students. These meetings frequently enough included gatherings at his home, where he showcased his culinary skills. He was known for reciting poetry and singing Iraqi songs.
Zubaida contributed to publications such as economy and Society, Middle East report, and open Democracy. He held visiting positions at universities worldwide, including the American University of Beirut, the American University of Cairo, and New york University.
Zubaida is survived by his wife, Connie, and daughter, Jess. His legacy endures through his scholarship and influence on Middle Eastern studies.