1. Cultural Contributions
Muslim Achievement
Cultural Contributions

2. Muslim Architecture

3. Cultural Blending
It is in Architecture that the greatest cultural blending can be seen
Already existing buildings were modified by Islamic Ideals
Islamic Features:
Multi-lobed interwoven arches
Domes
Minarets
Large courtyards

4. Multi-lobed interwoven arches

6. Domes

7. Dome of the Rock Located in Jerusalem
Rock in the center is believed to be the spot from where Muhammad ascended (rose) up to Heaven

9. Minarets
Towers built from where Muslims are called to prayer 5 times a day

11. Large Courtyards

12. Mosaics Artwork created using tiny pieces of colored glass tiles
Muslims use mosaics to create geometric decorations on Mosques

14. Arabic Alphabet
Arabic was first used to translate the context of the Quran (The Holy Book of Islam)
Written from Right to Left
Made up of 28 letters

15. Calligraphy Art of beautiful handwriting
In Islam, showing living things in art was not allowed
So artists turned to calligraphy to express themselves.

17. Universities Muhammad strongly believed in the power of learning
This led to support of places of learning by Muslim Leaders
Qualified physicians = treat the sick
Mathematicians and Astronomers = Calculated times for prayer

18. Math
Muslim scholars believed that mathematics was the basis of all knowledge.
Arabic Numbers were adapted from India
Included the number ZERO

19. More Math Al- Khwarizmi, a mathematician born in Baghdad.
He wrote a textbook in the 800s explaining “the art of bringing together unknowns to match a known quantity.”
He called this technique al-jabr—today called algebra.

20. Science Relied on Scientific observation and experimentation
Translated and studied Greek texts

21. More Science
Scientific study led to study of optics which helped develop lenses for telescopes and microscopes

22. Astonomy Measure the angle of the sun and the stars
Could calculate the time of day and even the year

23. Medical Advances
The Comprehensive Book – An encyclopedia of medicine using knowledge from Greek, Syrian, Arabic and Indian sources of knowledge
Believed patients would recover more quickly if they breathed cleaner air.