A Legacy of Thought, Enlightenment and Democracy
Sudanese Human Rights Activists – Norway (SHRA-Norway), in cooperation with the Centre for Sudanese Studies and friends of the late thinker Dr. Haider Ibrahim Ali, is organizing a memorial event in Oslo on Saturday, 24 October 2026, to celebrate his intellectual legacy and commemorate his contributions to social research, critical thought, democracy and human rights.
The memorial honours the life and work of one of Sudan’s prominent sociologists and intellectuals, who devoted decades to examining questions of the state, society, religion and politics, as well as the challenges of building a modern democratic state in Sudan.
Haider Ibrahim Ali: The Life of a Sudanese Thinker
Dr. Haider Ibrahim Ali was born on 11 May 1943 in Al-Gurair, northern Sudan. He became known as a researcher and writer specializing in sociology, particularly the sociology of religion.
His intellectual work focused on social and political transformations in Sudan and the Arab world, the relationship between religion and political power, and questions of identity, modernisation, enlightenment and democracy.
His scholarship combined academic research with social and political critique, seeking to understand the crises of the Sudanese state through an examination of its social and cultural structures and political history.
The Centre for Sudanese Studies: A Platform for Knowledge and Dialogue
Dr. Haider Ibrahim Ali founded the Centre for Sudanese Studies in Cairo in 1992. The Centre subsequently became a recognised platform for research, publishing and dialogue on Sudanese affairs.
It provided space for intellectual and cultural debate, produced studies and books, and addressed questions relating to civil society, democracy, identity, and social and political change.
The Centre represented an essential part of his broader intellectual project, grounded in the importance of independent knowledge production, critical thinking and dialogue about Sudan’s future.
Democracy and Human Rights in His Intellectual Work
Democracy, public freedoms and civil society occupied an important place in Dr. Haider Ibrahim Ali’s writings.
His research examined authoritarian governance, the relationship between political institutions and society, the consequences of using religion in struggles for political power, and the obstacles confronting democratic transition in Sudan.
He also explored the role of civil society in public life, the importance of education and enlightenment, and the relationship between rights, freedoms and the development of the modern state.
His engagement with human rights issues was reflected in his writings on education and human rights, his critique of authoritarianism, and his intellectual defence of freedom, pluralism and civic participation.
His contributions extended beyond theoretical discussion. Through writing, research and institution-building, he sought to broaden the space for public debate on these issues.
Selected Publications and Research Contributions
Dr. Haider Ibrahim Ali left a diverse body of intellectual work spanning sociology, religion, politics, democracy and Sudanese culture. His publications include:
Democracy and Civil Society in Sudan (1996).
Civil Society and Traditional Society in Sudan (2001).
Education and Human Rights (2002).
The Fall of the Civilizational Project (2004).
Sudan: The Lost Homeland (2011).
Security-Based Rule and the Renewal of Authoritarianism in Sudan (2012).
Sudanese Democracy: Concept, History and Practice (2013).
Times of Wind, Anxiety and Freedom: An Autobiography (2015).
These titles are English translations of the Arabic book titles and should not necessarily be understood as their officially published English titles.
Together, these works reflect the breadth of his intellectual interests and his sustained efforts to understand the roots of Sudan’s crises and explore possibilities for social and political reform.
Memorial Gathering in Oslo: Remembering His Legacy
The memorial gathering in Oslo offers an opportunity to reflect on Dr. Haider Ibrahim Ali’s life, intellectual contributions and the importance of critical thought and independent research in addressing Sudan’s challenges.
It will also bring together researchers, intellectuals, and others interested in Sudanese affairs to remember his role in enriching discussions on democracy, civil society, rights and freedoms.
Date, Time and Venue
Date: Saturday, 24 October 2026
Time: 14:00–16:00 (2:00–4:00 PM)
Venue: Batteriet, Oslo
Address: Storgata 32, 0184 Oslo, Norway
Contributers
The memorial will feature contributions from:
Professor Sharif Harir
Professor Munzoul Assal
Haitham Al-Noush
Dr. Hamid Fadlallah
Bakri Jaber
Poet Al-Sadiq Al-Raddi
Poet Afif Ismail
Andira Haider, daughter of the late Dr. Haider Ibrahim Ali
Nizar Issa and Hisham Obeid – SHRA
Event presenters:
Yousif Badawi Abdelrahman, Mayssa Alasad and Majdi Hassan.
SHRA-Norway warmly invites everyone interested in Sudanese intellectual life, democracy and human rights, as well as friends of the late Dr. Haider Ibrahim Ali to attend this memorial gathering.
Remembering Dr. Haider Ibrahim Ali is also an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of independent knowledge, freedom of thought, critical dialogue and the role of research and civil society institutions in building a future of peace, freedom and justice in Sudan.
The memorial event will be broadcast live on Zoom. Those wishing to participate remotely can join by clicking here or scanning the attached QR code.
For inquiries or further information, please contact us by email at info@sudanhr.org, through our Facebook page, or via WhatsApp.
Sudanese Human Rights Activists – Norway
19 October 2026
