1. Islam’s Golden Age

2. “Golden Age” A time of great achievement and wealth
Everything is positive “Golden”
High point for a civilization or people

3. Good Leadership Harun ar-Rashid – caliph of Baghdad
Ruled for 23 years – very lavish “court”
Was a great Patron (supporter) of the arts
People in the empire were very loyal to him

4. Religious Tolerance
Leaders were very tolerant of other religions in the empire
Allowed Christians and Jews to practive their religions freely
Christians had to pay extra taxes and had different rules, but were free to follow their religions

5. Benefits of Tolerance
Did not exclude people that could contribute to the empire
Christians and Jews helped bring about Islam’s Golden Age and were rewarded for their efforts
Maimonides, a Jewish doctor & scientist explained how people could believe in science and religion
His work led to many inventions and treatments

6. Intellectual Achievements
Muslim scholars made contributions to science, medicine, and math during the Golden Age
Many famous stories and poems were written (Omar Khayyam was most famous poet)
Poetry was the “music” of their time
Jalal ad-Din ar-Rumi creates the Whirling Dervishes – a traveling show