Muslim Culture

Sciences Preserved knowledge of Greek and Roman Culture during the Middle Ages Medical advancements Astronomy – Astrolabe helped determine relative position Mathematics – Al-jabr… Algebra

City Power Centers- Cultural Centers Islam spread through trade between cities Baghdad, Damascus, and Cairo

Arts and Literature Literature – Qur’an – The Thousand and One Nights Continued and adopted arts from conquered regions Calligraphy Art of beautiful handwriting Architecture

Society Women expected to be veiled in public Women submit to men but are equal in faith Women have more rights than European women of the time

Classes of Muslim Culture 1. Muslims at birth 2. Converts to Islam 3. Protected people “People of the Book” – Christians and Jews 4. Slaves – Non Muslims – Often Prisoners of War

Organization and Structure of Religions CategoryChristianity Following2 Billion DeityGod FounderJesus Christ Holy BookBible LeadershipPriest/ Minister Place of WorshipChurch

Organization and Structure of Religions CategoryJudaism Following14.5 Million DeityYahweh FounderAbraham Holy BookTorah, Talmud LeadershipRabbi Place of WorshipSynagogue

Organization and Structure of Religions CategoryIslam Following1.2 Billion DeityAllah FounderMuhammad Holy BookQur’an LeadershipImam Place of WorshipMosque

Mecca Holy City of Islam

Five Pillars of Islam Faith Prayer Almsgiving Fasting – Especially during the month of Ramadan Pilgrimage to Mecca

Shari' a System of Islamic Law Regulates family life and moral conduct

Caliph Successor or deputy to Muhammad Leader of Islam

Sunni Believe Muslim leaders should follow Muhammad’s example

Shi’ a Believe successors (Caliph) should follow Muhammad’s family line

Crusades… “Holy Wars” Causes 1.Byzantine Emperor was fighting Muslim Turks 2.Palestine was under Muslim control 3.Opportunity to get rid of nobles 4.Profit driven

Crusades People – Saladin- Kurdish (Turkish) warrior reclaimed Jerusalem – Pope Urban II- Pope called for Holy War – King Richard the Lionhearted- Led 3 rd Crusade

Crusades 1.Women’s role advanced 2.Expanded trade 3.Weakened the Pope 4.Increased king’s power 5.Byzantine Empire fell 6.Religious resentment

Islam in Spain Expansion into Spain Islam spread across Middle East, North Africa, and onto the Iberian Peninsula (Spain) PreservationMuslims preserved Greek and Roman Culture in their libraries ExpulsionReconquista- effort to drive Muslims and Jews out of Spain in the 1400s Inquisition- Put Muslims and Jews on trial as heretics