Gabriele Mandel was an Italian psychologist, writer, and artist of Afghan descent. He was also known by the names of Gabriele Mandel Khān and Gabriele Sugana. He was also a Sufi guide in the Jerrahi Order.
Early life and education
Mandel was the son of the Sufi and historian Jusuf Roberto Mandel and of the Jewish Writer Carlotta Rimini. His godfather was the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio. A Muslim, Mandel promoted interfaith dialogue and peace-building throughout his life. In his youth Mandel studied music at the Conservatory of Vicenza, graduating in violin and harmony. After WWII he studied classical languages and literature and did extensive archaeological field research in India and in the Middle East, which he subsequently published. Later he developed scientific interests and graduated first in psychology and then as a medical doctor at the Faculty of Medicine of Pavia.
Career
After the training he began working as a psychotherapist, an activity that he continued during his life, in parallel with that of ceramist and writer. He wrote nearly two hundred books –many of which were translated into several languages- on subjects ranging from art history and calligraphy to Sufism. His ceramics have been exhibited throughout the world. Mandel taught psychology and art history in various faculties in Italy, France, and Belgium. Also, among his multifaceted activities was journalism, which he began in 1939, writing Sufi novels for Corriere dei Piccoli, a youth-oriented supplement of the magazine Corriere della Sera. Like his Afghan uncle, Keki Efendi Khan-i Rud Hetimandel, Mandel was attracted to Sufism. Mandel was a pupil of Si Hamza Boubakeur, a Naqshbandi. Later he joined the Khalwati Sufi Order and became its deputy in Italy, leading the Tekke in Milan until his death. Mandel translated the Qur’an into Italian with an extensive Sufi commentary and edited an Italian translation of the Mathnawi, which was translated into Italian by his wife.
Personal life
He was married to Carla Nûr Cerati Mandel. His body rests in the Muslim section of the cemetery of Bruzzano in Milan.
Publications
He was the author of some 200 books published by major Italian presses, many of which have been translated into several languages, including English.
Books in English (selected)
Japanese Alphabet: The 48 Essential Characters, Abbeville Press
Arabic Script: Styles, Variants and Calligraphic Adaptations, Abbeville Press
