Islamic Civilization Sec. 3

Culture Arabs been traders for centuries Muhammad Himself Center of world trade Linked Europe, Asia, and Africa

Trade Produced textiles Silk, cotton, wool, carpets Luxuries: jewelry, perfumes, spices

Government Caliphates: ruled by caliphs In Baghdad, Cairo, and Cordoba Qur’an guided both religious and every day life Slavery common in Arabia Slaves were required to be treated humanely

Women Women have rights but men had last say Muslim women had more rights than other women of this time Later, women would lose some rights

Family Life Parents arranged marriages for children Women had the right to refuse Arabian men had up to four wives

Arab Women MYTH "Women's rights are now protected in the Arab world." FACT In most Arab countries, the Shari'a, or Islamic law, defines the rules of traditional social behavior. Under the law, women are accorded a role inferior to that of men, and are therefore discriminated against with regard to personal rights and freedoms. As Middle East expert Daniel Pipes explains: "In the Islamic view...female sexuality is thought of as being so powerful that it constitutes a real danger to society." Therefore, unrestrained females constitute "the most dangerous challenge facing males trying to carry out God's commands." In combination, females' "desires and their irresistible attractiveness give women a power over men which rivals God's." "Left to themselves," Pipes continues, "men might well fall victim to women and abandon God," resulting in civil disorder among believers. In traditional thought, Pipes notes, women pose an internal threat to Islamic society similar to the external one represented by the infidel. Traditionally, the Arab woman marries at a young age to a man of her father's choice. A husband is entitled to divorce any time, even against his wife's will, by merely declaring verbally that this is his intention. In Syria, a husband can prevent his wife from leaving the country. In Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Jordan, Morocco, Oman and Yemen, married women must have their husbands' written permission to travel abroad, and they may be prevented from doing so for any reason. In Saudi Arabia, women must obtain written permission from their closest male relative to leave the country or travel on public transportation between different parts of the kingdom.

Afghanistan Women During the rule of the Taliban ( ), women were treated worse than in any other time or by any other society. They were forbidden to work, leave the house without a male escort, not allowed to seek medical help from a male doctor, and forced to cover themselves from head to toe, even covering their eyes. Women who were doctors and teachers before, suddenly were forced to be beggars and even prostitutes in order to feed their families. Since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001, many would agree that the political and cultural position of Afghan women has improved substantially. The recently adopted Afghan constitution states that "the citizens of Afghanistan - whether man or woman- have equal rights and duties before the law"

Sciences Learned from the people they conquered Learned from other merchants India- ideas about astronomy and math China- papermaking Greek- writings of philosophers and scientists

Medicine Herbs, foods, and prepared drugs Developed pharmaceutical drugs still in use today Could correctly diagnose certain diseases Est. worlds first school of pharmacy Created first encyclopedia of drugs

Arab Doctors Al-Razi Physician in Baghdad 900’s wrote about small-pox and measles Ibn Sina Canon of Medicine: medical book Book used in Europe until 1650