Abstract
The Orient is a vast area that combines prominent civilizations such as India, the Middle East, and China, but the main focus of this article is on the Middle East. In its literary manifestation, Orientalism appears as a tapestry woven by Western pens, producing a narrative where the Middle East exists as an "exotic other". This article delves into the perceptions of Orientalists towards the Oriental “other", and how these perceptions affect Western policies and practices towards the Middle East. Moreover, it traces the origin and history of Orientalism since the golden age of Islam till today. It also discusses classical French and British Orientalism and how each of them influences modern American Orientalism. Additionally, this article locates Orientalism in its political and cultural frameworks, and explores the relationship between Orientalism and Political Theory, Colonialism, Post Colonialism, and Eurocentrism. This article also refers to some points of view that embrace the idea that this discourse -Orientalism- adopts a narrative that perpetuates cultural stereotypes and constructs an imaginary Orient detached from its nuanced realities.
Keywords: Orientalism, the Other, Counter-discourse, Post-Colonialism, Eurocentrism, Political Theory.