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__Moorish Spain- Lessons in History__ MarkoMarko Christian Europe in the middle ages was an era of suffering, war, plague and much destruction that triggered many empires to collapse. However, these factors aided the Islamic empire when they took over these Christian lands, especially Spain and Portugal. This new Islamic region, then known as “Al-Andalus”, would thrive in its highly tolerant society- permitting even the Jewish and Christian individuals there to stay and flourish. This tolerance, along with their important advances in Mathematics and Science and self ruling Government, allowed the culture to continue striving for more than seven hundred years. __For these reasons, there is much we can learn about the accomplishment of Moorish Spain.__

MarkoMar  The Moors can teach our society today that without expanding our knowledge of Mathematics and Science, there cannot be much progression in civilization itself. Unfortunately, humans in society do make mistakes, leading to little development. This is shown in the studies of Al-Khwarizmi, a famous mathematician in the 800’s, and his book, //The Calculation of Integration and Equation,// which deals with many of today’s essential basics of calculating surfaces and algebraic multiplication. However,  Maslama al-Majriti, a Moorish Astronomer/ Mathematician, after reading through previous years of knowledge, began developing his own theories and “enlarged and corrected the astronomical tables of al-Khwarizmi himself” [|(Lunde)] [|.]   This does seem shocking, but if humans had left these studies as they were, our generation’s work would be full of errors, leading us nowhere! As long as we can continue to fix our mistakes (the sooner, the better), we can continue to further our understanding, the vital purpose of Science. However, this development triggers more invention and discovery. One Moorish inventor, Abū al-Qāsim, had led the advance of 10th century Spain through his notable intelligence:

MarkoMarko MarkoMarko    Other surgical instruments invented by Abū al-Qāsim and first described in his //Al-Tasrif// (1000) include  MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko         the scalpel, curette, retractor, surgical spoon, surgical hook, surgical rod, and specula. [|(Wiki, al-Qasim)] With his developed knowledge, a whole Society has developed along with him, aquiring these new technologies for the benefit of the populace. Today, the idea of developed knowledge still exists, with the introduction of new technologies, such as the solar- powered generator, which is doing better for our planet and our people.

MarkoMarko Moreover, with the Establishment of a self-ruling Government, a population can prosper significantly. The creation of the Emirate and Caliphate at Cordoba allowed Moorish Spain to form its own administration rather than forcefully follow another’s. Without Abd al- Rahman’s contributions, Spain and Portugal, like all other Umayyad Caliphates of the time, would have been ruled by the Abbasid Caliphate, a large control from a capital thousands of kilometres away in Baghdad, having diferent needs and ideas! [|(Wiki, Abbasid)]. This is similar to Canada’s historic position with the distant British Empire, as “when Britain declaired war, it did so on behalf of its entire empire” (Gage, 38). For WWI, Canada had to do its part for Britain, without choice. However, with Canada’s absolute independence allows them to form their own decisions concerning war, crisis, etc. As the Moors then, along with Canada formed their own government, they could form their own laws, rights and choices that would best suit them and their needs. However, independance can also bring a better economy. Moorish Spain, after its seperation from the Abbasid Caliphate, profitably rised :

MarkoMarko MarkoMarko       There were many areas of industry that were revitalized during the Caliphate: textiles, ceramics,  MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko  M          glassware, metalwork, and agriculture all benefiting the state. Tariffs were lucrative. Taxes implemented MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko  MarkoMark o      on Jews and Christians living within the Caliphate was another source of income. MarkoMarko MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko               [|(Wiki, Caliphate of Cordoba)] Obviously, with control over government, control over local resources can be placed to provide a better financial system. And with taxes that stay within a nation, stimulates local monetary growth and only betters the people.

MarkoMarko Furthermore, with a society of tolerance of all human races can only lead to respect and improvement. Jewish peoples, though small in population, had prospered along with the Arabs there. But Moorish tolerance proved to be of notable prominence, as they had even allowed Christians to reside, for merely a minute tax [|(Wiki, Al- Andalus)]. In fact, “ the Jewish and Christian dhimmis living under the Caliphate, while allowed fewer rights than Muslims, were much better off than in other parts of Christian Europe” [|(Wiki, Al- Andalus)]. Without doubt, many non-Muslims there did enjoy their stay in one of the most advanced and cleanest areas, but in return did provide benefit to the society as a whole, in various ways:

MarkoMarko MarkoMaro    A translating program was established in Toledo, using Jews as interpreters. There they translated the MarkoMarko  MarkoMark  MarkoMarko  o    Arabic books into romance languages, as well as Greek and Hebrew texts into Arabic. This included many MarkoMarko  MarkoMark  MarkoMarko  o    major works of Greek science and philosophy. Jews studied and contributed to mathematics, medicine, botany, MarkoMarko  MarkoMar  MarkoMarko  ko    geography, poetry, and philosophy. It was at this time that the study of Medicine expanded to produce a large MarkoMarko  MarkoMa  MarkoMarko  rko    number of exceptional Jewish physicians. M    arkoMarko  MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko  MarkoMarko          [|(Marks, The Jews in Islamic Spain)].

Here, the example of “doing one another a favour” goes hand in hand, as with previous gratuity to peoples will result in returned gratuity later on. In addition, tolerance leads to developing stronger international relations. Trading is a large benefit of doing so, and in fact, for the Moors, “ During this prosperous period, trade with the outside world was unrivalled” [|(Marks, The Jews in Islamic Spain)]. This provides prosperity to many past and present cultures that do not have certain resources to sustain themselves. Furthermore, it also brings about peace in a society. Until about 976, the dhimmis there lived well with little unrest until the pogroms at Cordoba and Granada, which has been known to have caused the death of many people there. [|(Wiki, Al- Andalus)].A similar fate is presented in Germany’s horrendous past, with their initiative of destroying the lives of 6 million Jews, causing much destruction and even WWII! [|(USHMM, Holocaust)]. Therefore, for the common good it is vital in a culture to maintain tolerance, along with the societal benefits.

MarkoMarko Moorish Spain’s strong society and government, along with their Scientific and Mathematical advances has been a large determining factor in their ultimate success, from their rise to the end of their Golden Age. And with their long lasting rule, can still teach every modern society about the steps to this accomplishment and triumph. 

__Marko Ilic __

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