Islam in Spain Muslims in Spain

P 2

• Muslims focused their whole attention on the Al-Andalus, southern Spain. They wanted to build their civilization far superior to anything Spain had ever known. They treated Christians and Jews with tolerance, with the result that many embrace Islam. They also impaired trade and agriculture, patronized the arts, made great contributions to science, and established Cordoba as the most sophisticated city in Europe.

Muslims emigrate Islam in Spain

P 3

• Many emigrated to north Africa and other places but carried traces of Spanish era with them

• Many Muslims made important contributions to their new country based their time in Spain and the cultural aspects they picked up.

Islam in Spain Christian Uprise

S 1

• By the tenth century….• Cordoba had a population of 500,000 Paris

had 38,000• The city had 700 mosques • 60,000 palaces• 70 libraries• 900 public baths

Islam in Spain Christian Uprise

S 1

• By the eleventh century….• A small pocket of christian resitance had

begun to grow under Alfonso VI forces retook Toledo

Alhambra Palace The Alhambra

S 2

• The Alhambra was begun in 1238 by Muhammad

• To buy safety for his people when king Ferdinand laid siege to Granada

• It has survived for over 800 years

Islamic Spain is gone Islam in Spain

S 2

• Mid twelfth century…• Arabs in Spain are threatened • Forced out of North and central Spain• They ironically flourished in Granada

Ibn-al Ahmar Islam in Spain

S 2

• Thirteenth Century…• Exchanges himself for safety for the people of

Granada• He is forced to help Christians fight Muslims in Seville• Christians defeat Seville• When he returns he is hailed by the people of

Granada• Came up with saying “There is no victor but God!”

Muslim Decline Islam in Spain

S 2

• After Ibn-al Ahmars death the Muslim kingdoms were taken over by Christians

• Only Granada survived• Then in 1482 the Muslim kingdom split in half

at the same time the two Christian kingdoms merged

• In 1492 Ferdinand and Isabella “Hoisted the Christian banner over the Alhambra”

Muslims in Spain after Christian takeover Islam in Spain

S 3

• Most Muslims stayed in Spain at first where the Christians allowed them to work, serve in the army, own land, and practice their religion

• In the Spanish inquisition all Muslim rights were removed

Alhambra palace The Alhambra

S 1

• The Alhambra was the capitol of a series of city fortresses

• After Ferdinand conquered Andalucía, parts of the Alhambra were used by Christian rulers, and eventually the mosque was replaced by a church

Alhambra Palace The Alhambra

S 2

• The architecture is a blend of Islamic and 16th century Christian styles

• Alhambra means “Red Fortress”• A part of the Alhambra was blown up during

French domination

Cordoba National Geographic

S 15

• Cordoba was once one of the most powerful cities in the world

• They came up with the first street lights ever in Cordoba

• And mandinat al Zahra took 40 years to build and was made of marble, stucco, ivory, and onyx

Islam rule in Spain National Geographic

S 21

• The Muslim period in Spain is sometimes described as a “Golden Age”

• Libraries, colleges, public baths, literature, and poetry all started to flourish

• Both Muslims and non Muslims made major contributions to the culture

Life for non Muslims Islam in Spain

S 1

• Jews/ Christians did retain some freedom under Muslim rule

• They could work in civil service of Islamic rulers

• They were tolerated if they… accepted Islamic power, avoided blasphemy, did not carry weapons ect…

Alhambra Palace The Alhambra

S 1

• It is set on a rocky hill difficult to access• Protected by mountains and woods to keep

out enemies• Throughout the 13th , 14th, and 15th centuries

the fortress became a citadel and defensive tower

• It is now visited by millions to see its its glorious beauty