Muslim philosopher and one of the most
celebrated Sufis (Muslim mystics). He was
responsible for easing the conflict between
the Sufi and the Ulema, a body of Muslim
religious and legal scholars. Initially, he
believed that God's existence could be proved
by reason, but later he became a wandering
Sufi, seeking God through mystical
experience; the book, The Alchemy of
Happiness, was written on his travels.

Ghent 
Flemish Gent, French Gand, City and port in 
East Flanders, NW Belgium; population (1982) 
237,500. Industries include textiles, 
chemicals, electronics, and metallurgy. The 
cathedral of St Bavon (12th-14th centuries) 
has paintings by van Eyck and Rubens, and 
the university was established 1816.