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Muslim civilisation sprang into existence soon after the birth of Islam (7th century C.E). It lasted for a large part of the middle Ages, and began to collapse in the 13th century following the loss of the centres of Islamic power and civilisation: Cordova (1236), Valencia (1238), Seville (1248), and Baghdad (1258), all fell in the space of few decades to invading forces. During the same period, in 1260, Damascus and other Syrian towns and cities, core centres of Islamic civilisation, also fell to invading Mongol hordes, completing a chain of disasters. On the particular impact of the Mongols, Saunders says, that, in Baghdad, in 1258, the palaces, colleges and mosques were plundered and burnt; the cultural accumulation of five centuries perished in the flames, and the appalling figure of 800,000 is the lowest estimate given of the number of men, women and children who were slaughtered in the streets and houses. The Christians gathered in a church under their patriarch were spared.[2] Glubb outlines the event further
It is normal for Muslims to take pride in the great Islamic civilisation, however in order to meet the challenges of the future, one should learn from the past facts and not from propaganda which has left a legacy of distortions and misunderstanding.
About the Author: Dr Salah Eddin Zaimeche Al-Djazairi
Dr Salah has lectured and researched at the University of Constantine ( Algeria ) for more than ten years. He also tutored at the Department of Geogr...read more |
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