Rifa'a al-Tahtawi was an Egyptian writer, teacher, and intellectual instrumental in the 19th-century cultural renaissance. As one of the first Egyptian scholars to engage with Western cultures, he sought to bridge understanding between Islamic and Christian civilizations. His influence extended to science, law, literature, and Egyptology, notably through his founding of the School of Languages. Tahtawi's work inspired many subsequent scholars and fostered cross-cultural dialogue.
An Imam in Paris (Takhlis al-Ibriz fi Talkhis Bariz), is one of the earliest records of the Muslim encounter with Enlightenment-era European ideas. Al- Tahtawi's book helped introduce ideas of modernity to his native land.