A Woman's Path to the Heart of Islam Interviews by Rachel et Jean-Pierre Cartier with Eva de Vitray-Meyerovitch

The renowned scholar Eva de Vitray Meyerovitch (1909-1999) was educated by nuns and went on to study Christian theology at the Sorbonne, taking degrees in law and ancient Greek philosophy. Yet a chance reading of Rumi inspired her to learn Persian in order to translate and make his works available for the French-speaking world. This dedication became her life’s work. Her profound understanding of Rumi—which only a translator can truly attain—made it possible for her to bridge the two cultures in which she comfortably lived—modern day France and the 13th century Turkey of Rumi, as well as the Islamic world today. These interviews take us on a breathtaking journey of faith, introducing us along the way to a wide range of thinkers—such as her extraordinary mentor Louis Massignon and the rector of Cairo’s Azhar University where she taught, as well as anecdotes involving her numerous personal friendships and professional encounters. Her moving, challenging, noble, and often humorous story highlights the beauty that comes from a life of faith lived through the lens of her spiritual master Rumi.

Jean-Pierre (b. 1929) was a journalist and then a leading reporter for the magazine Paris Match. He left journalism to dedicate his work to writing novels, historical books, and essays. He has published some 25 books, many in collaboration with his wife Rachel. They have created an interfaith retreat in Parnac in the Berry region of France. The renowned scholar Eva de Vitray Meyerovitch (1909-1999) was educated by nuns and went on to study Christian theology at the Sorbonne, with degrees in law and ancient Greek philosophy. She was head of the social sciences division of the CNRS in Paris, France for many years. Translator, researcher, and writer, she published a total of 40 books and numerous articles on Sufism, Rumi, and Islam. Dr. Goddard, economist and author, currently resides in Washington, DC, with regular visits to Cairo, Istanbul, and Paris, and has worked in 65 countries, with special emphasis on the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Over her career, her clients included USAID, the World Bank, the UN, the Asian and African Development Banks, as well as the international firms that serve these organizations. Her PhD is from the Sorbonne, the University of Paris, (dissertation: OPEC’s Economic Strategy), with postgraduate work at the University of Chicago. She is fluent in French, Turkish, Arabic, and English. Katharine Branning is the former Vice-President of Education of the French Institute Alliance Française in New York City and graduate of the Ecole du Louvre in Paris, where she specialized in Islamic arts. She has taught and lectured internationally on cross-cultural issues and her articles have appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines. Her biographical novel of Eva de Vitray-Meyerovitch, Ink of Light, was published in spring, 2018.