Muslims and Christians Reflection Paper 1

TOPIC: Giving the state of affairs in our world today, we have many preconceived notions, beliefs, and feelings that arise when examining the relationship between Muslims and Christians. gain a whole new perspective on the time period known as the Reconquest. 

First, imagine that you are trying to dispel the notion that the Moors were simply what are often seen in this context as “diabolical, dark-skinned savages.” Explain in detail how this notion in not accurate. Address specifically the issues of the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula (how it was not as violent as many books would have you believe and how Christian cities were already in turmoil). Questions to consider: What is the state of society in the land known as Spain when the Moors arrive in 711? How does the arrival of the Moors actually reverse a process of decadence that was taking place under the Visigoths?  In what sense were the Moors and Christians often allies (as opposed to simply being enemies) during the Reconquest? 

Second, address the issues of education, scientific knowledge, architecture, astronomy, agriculture, and society in general. How can it be said that the Moors were much more enlightened and civilized than the Christian societies of the time? Questions to consider: What did the Moors do to benefit the people of Western Europe? How did the books of Classical Antiquity (Greek scholarship) factor into this? What did the Moors do to help transmit this knowledge to the West? Why had the other Christian civilizations not already taken advantage of this ancient knowledge? What role did the Renaissance play in Western society? What role did the Moors play in the Renaissance? (1:13 of the video)

NOTE: Prove that you read and watched the movie by incorporating ideas from both, but focus on those elements that were most surprising or interesting to you as you develop your ideas. 

The Moors, also known as Muslims, first landed in Spain in 711, beginning several centuries of Moorish rule over the Iberian Peninsula. This period of Spanish history caused the Iberian Peninsula to develop much differently from the rest of Europe (Chapter 3). Due to a lack of knowledge, stereotypes, and limited information, the Moors are often perceived as “diabolical, dark-skinned, savage, alien enemies” (Video, 4:00). However, after learning about the Moor’s history, I now believe this description is inaccurate considering the Moors actually benefitted the Iberian Peninsula and often were allies with the Christians. In addition the Moors arguably had the richest, most powerful, and most intelligent civilizations throughout Europe, and quite possibly, the world.