June 13

Martin Buber was born in 1878 in Vienna into a Jewish family. He studied philosophy and wrote on existentialism, religious thought, and Jewish mysticism. His landmark work 'I and Thou' introduced the concept of the dialogical relationship between individuals and the divine. Buber’s writings combined theology, ethics, and social commentary, influencing both religious and secular thinkers. After emigrating to Palestine in 1938, he taught at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, fostering intercultural philosophical dialogue. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature and Peace on multiple occasions. Buber also advocated for a bi-national solution to the Arab-Jewish conflict in Palestine. He died in Jerusalem in 1965, remembered as one of the most important Jewish philosophers of the 20th century.

Roger Garaudy was a French philosopher, novelist, and essayist. He gained prominence as a leading Marxist thinker in mid-20th century France. After converting to Islam, he wrote extensively on spirituality and interfaith dialogue. His scholarship included historical and philosophical analyses of modern ideologies. Garaudy's works sparked both acclaim and controversy, particularly his critiques of established narratives. He received the Prix de l'Académie française for his literary contributions. Garaudy died in 2012 at the age of 98, leaving a complex and influential body of work.