Hobeiche’s nudist revolution

How Sheikh Fouad Hobeiche bridged cultures to foster Arab nudism in 1930s Lebanon

Carl Hild, PhD

Jul 13, 2024

Transcript

Sheikh Fouad Hobeiche was a pioneering figure in introducing nudism to the Middle East. In 1930, he began translating French nudist literature into Arabic and publishing it in Beirut. His newsletter, "al-Makshuf" (The Revealed), disseminated ideas of social nakedness, emphasizing honesty and body positivity. Hobeiche’s works were inspired by French writer Louis-Charles Royer and the global nudist movement. He faced controversy, especially for advocating nudism as a remedy for societal issues. Despite evolving views on women’s roles, Hobeiche's contributions laid the groundwork for modern nudism in the region. His legacy is preserved in various publications and studies on early naturism. 🪐

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Hobeiche’s nudist revolution

Carl Hild, PhD

Jul 12

Only a small minority of the population has embraced the concept and practice of social nakedness, except for community bathing in China prior to 1,000 CE, and in Korea and Japan from then to the mid-1800s. While many authors have envisioned utopian or ideal settings for social nakedness, these ideas were typically practiced by small, isolated groups.

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This episode is sponsored by the **Naturist Education Foundation (NEF),** supporting naturist initiatives and preserving naturist history.

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