Thanks muslims

View of the Alhambra - A beautiful arabic building
@missak (3311)
Spain
May 15, 2007 2:24pm CST
I have seen a lot of discussions against muslims, and perhaps the facts they explain are right (I don't support fundamentalism nor terrorism, women discrimination and all that), but I don't find this is a reason to grant all that people as valueless. There are many things that we all can enjoy thans to muslims, and I thought to make a list on that: +Mathematical researchs and improvements: "algebra", "algorithm", "cipher" and "zero" come from arabic language since it was them who invented and developed this. What would be matematics without the idea of zero? +Technology: many improvements of the modern days after the middle age were introduced by muslims, some brought by them from China. It is the case of the paper sheet, the astrolabe, ... +Architecture: the Arabs have developed new forms of impressive beautiful buildings that were constructed worldwide, such as the Alhambra. +Culture: we all have in our conscience beautiful things from arabic arts. An example could be "The Book of One Thousand and One Nights", but there are also lot of music, dance... +Philosophy: At that age muslims studied the teachings of old classic greco-latin tradition and translated it for a new world, for example focusing on the difference between Aristotle and Plato. That analysis are still very valuable nowadays. +Reigion: Once upon a time muslim religion was blended with christian one in Al Andalus (Spain) and althought the differences, they somehow tolerated each other creating different kind of mixings: "mudejares" (muslims tolerated inside christians), "moriscos" (muslims converted to christianism or mixed families), "mozarabes" (christians converted to islam or mixed families) and "muladíes" (christians tolerated inside muslims). So it is not impossible! I have found a web with many other examples about this (the examples I wrote are mine, not copied-pasted!) if you are interested, tak a look: http://www.imarabe.org/ang/perm/mondearabe/theme/docs/4.html What do you think on all that? Why does this seem not possible today? Do you know other examples? Perhaps modern examples, such as muslims celebrities in Western culture (Muhammed Ali)...?
16 people like this
24 responses
@al87exa (720)
• Romania
16 May 07
To be muslim or to be Christian is only religions, to be human is most important. I have few muslim friends, and i respect they and they respect me, this is all, I read and i watch to tv about many atrocity, but all this bad things are made it from Christians, or muslims or Hindu...what if we don't talk with Germans any more because of Hitler, or if we don't talk with Cuba peoples, becuse of comunnism?In my opinion first place we must to be Humans. And God is only one. For all.
7 people like this
@missak (3311)
• Spain
16 May 07
Very beautiful answer!! By the way, I am cuban, and it would be really unfair not talk to me because of that inhumane system, since I am totally against it! Very good example.
6 people like this
@al87exa (720)
• Romania
16 May 07
I can blame, but i can defend very easy too, so...i will defend all before to acuse, is my duty on this earth. Many peoples don't understand that we all are Humans can make mistakes too...but better is to look first in our yard, and after judge others. I am not muslim, i am Chriatian but my parents and my preast teach me to love all with same measre. So, i can say that i am a good Christian.
7 people like this
@missak (3311)
• Spain
16 May 07
Very well said!! I wish all people fell like that and war were over and people loved each other...
4 people like this
• United States
16 May 07
I'm so sick of people assuming things about other cultures based on what our media tells us. Those people over there just want the same things we do: to have the freedom to live life and watch their children grow up to a secure future. I see no need in giving a ton of reasons to place any sort of value on human life. Kudos to you for doing so. I don't think it's right to judge a whole race on a few bad apples. It's no different than their government telling them that we are the devil.
6 people like this
@lamiaa (581)
• Egypt
17 May 07
no the thank is to you missak , i really want to thank u , I slam is not a religion of violent , but the violent is a part of humanity , what happen now in the world is not about any religion , it is about the power and control , it is only that , and if they mention religion , it is only the cover , i don't know from where this religion war com from ?! all religion is about peace and forgiveness , and humanity , i hope that peace became true again but i am really not sure because there is always the good and the bad, and there will be always a war because beside goodness there will be always evil , but at least we hope , and again , the thank is too you and i am so happy that you are my friend .
• Pakistan
16 May 07
Indeed Muslims have contributed a lot to this world and it is nice to know that someone is appreciating this rather than opening up another hate discussion against muslims. If we all just learned to respect each other as human beings and respect each other's religion, race and back ground we wouldn't be having all these problems in this world. Both sides need to resolve their differences and move on to a era of peace and prosperity :)
16 May 07
I agree, it is wonderful to have a positive discussion on this subject. As a litttle reward for you, and in the light of your screen-name, vampirestonez, I would like to share the fact that a vampire named Algul appears in the story 'one thousand and one Arabian nights'. Thought you might enjoy that little nugget of useless information!
4 people like this
• Pakistan
17 May 07
Thank You Adrenochrome :) I am really glad to know about a vampire in the tales of the Arabian nights, I really appreciate your comment.
5 people like this
@APMorison (424)
• United States
16 May 07
I am a firm believer in the idea that if we could get past the part where extreme forms of any religion are fighting we'd have a much more peaceful world. There are contributions they have all made and I for one am very glad that the Muslim culture shared the advances that you have listed. Thank you for reminding us that not everything about being "Different" is bad.
4 people like this
@shak143 (1280)
• India
16 May 07
Its nice topic and being a muslim i reallly happy.But due to some people it's being hard.Every thing written in holy Quran is scientifically approved.The style of cleaning face while offering prayers and fasting for a month every thing. It's proved that observing past is good for health.
5 people like this
@Naseem00 (1996)
• Pakistan
18 May 07
Thankyou for this informative and wonderful post. Indeed Muslims have a very bright past. I would like to share the information about a Muslim who has won the Noble prize for peace for year 2006 (sounds strange keeping the present scenario in mind!). It is Mohammad Younus of Bangladesh. The founder of Grameen Bank. Who through his bank and revolutionery ideas has improved the lives of 100s of thousandpoor people of Bangladesh. Anybody may do a little googling to find more about him and his work.
3 people like this
19 May 07
I agree. The BBC did an article on him, and the innovative banking system he'd established. It's superb to see a great mind, working for the benefit of those most in need, and not motivated by greed. Superb!
2 people like this
@missak (3311)
• Spain
19 May 07
I didn't know about him, but it is very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
1 person likes this
16 May 07
Wow, I have read through all the discussions and added my bit in places, but I would like to say thank you for pointing out what good there is in the world, but sadly this discussion had to be taken over by the puritans who just can't get off their high horses and think for themselves. I am so glad I am an athiest and can look at things in a logical and non-religious perspective, as this always gets in the way of people making decisions on their own. Do people not realise that this is exactly what the governments want us to do. We are playing into their hands and swallow what they say without asking questions ourselves. If people believe 9/11 had no USA input then they are the ones the US government love. Have an open mind in your life, then maybe all the new laws our governments have brought in since 9/11 maynot have been accepted if we woke up as a race of humans and actually questioned what these bigotted b@stards were doing to mankind. Whats the word I'm looking for, ah yes, BAAAA
3 people like this
17 May 07
I am with you on this, its just ashame so many do not feel the same. Much respect to you my friend and it puts my faith back in human nature that you have had so many, as well as yourself, free thinking, non-influenced people on this discussion. Long live freedom of speech and for those who want to hit the negative icon on mylot, just remember freedom of speech is for everyone!!
3 people like this
@missak (3311)
• Spain
17 May 07
Thaks again!
1 person likes this
@missak (3311)
• Spain
17 May 07
Thanks for your answer, very good point your political view! I think I agree. I am not atheistic but I neither belong to any religion (specially not muslim, since I had not the occassion of a further analysis of their teachings). I try to believe in them all, taking the good things of each one. But I also have a non-religious perspective, I need it to get away from silly contradictions that pseudo-religious powers have put on religions for centuries... So I am also looking for that free and open minded world!
4 people like this
• India
16 May 07
thank you so much for thanking us i really appreciate it thank you again and again :)
3 people like this
@missak (3311)
• Spain
16 May 07
You're welcome. I would really appreciate to learn more about your culture!
2 people like this
@judyt00 (3497)
• Canada
16 May 07
You combine arabic with muslim like there is no difference. Most of what Islam claims to be theirs, they stole from other cultures, generally China, Japan and India, including most of the mat they claim. China knew about such things long before Mohammed was born, he just murdered anyone who said he didn't invent it. As for islam and christianity living side by side in Spain, have you forgotten about the hundreds of thousands of slaves taken from Spain to Damascus during the Moorish reign? They fought the whole time. Any website that makes Islam look good is nothing more than propagands put out by jihadist groups, similar to that which the soviets used to write about how good communism was, and just as pertinent.
3 people like this
@missak (3311)
• Spain
17 May 07
First of all, I hate communism, and I am not muslim nor have any relation with them. Ok, I can find for you a lot of TOURISTIC SPANISH webpages where they claim about the tolerance of that ages. What you said it was just in the war period (when also muslims were treated the same way by christians). When war was over, even they got politically away from Damasco when they started the Emirate of Cordoba and then the Caliphate of Cordoba, when things were ruled totally apart from the rest of the muslims, and somehow against Damasco. You pretend to know everything, don't you know while this tolerance was imposed in Spain, in other christian countries they were prepairing the Crusades? I would be happy if you explain me the difference between arabic and muslim, but I am sure that people who rised Spanish culture were muslim.
2 people like this
• United States
18 May 07
I am a Catholic and married happily to a Muslim. We are very respectful of each others religion and have participated in each others religious holidays and special holy days. Thank you for sharing this beautiful information about Muslims - who are represented by every ethnic, racial, and cultural group.
3 people like this
@missak (3311)
• Spain
18 May 07
Thanks for sharing your case!
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
16 May 07
I applaud you for pointing out the positive contributions Muslims have made to the world. I think this is true of all peoples, no matter where they have lived or what religion they practiced. All have made contributions and deserve to be recognized for it. This world would not be what it is today without ALL the cultures, religions, traditions, etc., many of which have enriched everyone. Good research, good discussion. Thanks.
4 people like this
• India
16 May 07
Dude, i dont think anyone out here is against the religion of islam.... i think most of the people are against what islam has become today! we all know that islam never propagated women discrimination and polygamy and terrorism... but now,all these are predominant in islam more than in any other religion.... and we all hate that!and some of the stuff u said about your religion is easily arguable.. algebra,zero and stuff were argued to come from india,rather than from arab language.. zero was invented by indians... thts a known fact.. i dont want to argue for no reason, but i believe u r clutching at straws for backing ur religion... all religions have such claims to their credit... but u see, religion isnt meant to make paper and create zero... it is made by us to offer solace when we need it... for others we have science!
@missak (3311)
• Spain
16 May 07
Hi, noeltotherescue, nice avatar, I would love to meet a girl like this. Ok, I made a mistake on zero, but I was not talking about making papers, but about the tolerance that was able in Al Andalus a few centuries ago. I am not muslim at all, you know? I like all religions and try to understand them all. I would love to discuss a little with you on atheism, I have another discussion so please come. I have made a discussion for each religion I know, that doesn't mean I belong to any of them.
2 people like this
@lifeluver (743)
• Canada
17 May 07
Holy, I don't think I've done this much reading yet on mylot, haha. An excellent discussion, I think. Now, I'm not of any affiliated religion but I do feel connected to God (please understand, I use "God" to refer to the Creator, also known by many other names) I find learning about different ways of learning from God to be very interesting. What I really liked about reading this post is the variety of responses. Some good, some not so good. It just shows us that we are all different. It has been suggested here that Muslims "stole" things from other cultures (China, for example) but I don't understand why that is said....we have all "stolen" from past cultures, how do you think we've gotten this far? One thing about humans, is their ability to adapt and adjust to changing enviornments. So, if one culture learned from another culture and therefore applied their new knowledge to their way of life, does that mean they have "stolen" that knowledge? I don't think so. We must also remember....none of us were there. Our current education about Islam and Muslims comes from other people (except perhaps for those who actually practice Islam) and not from actually living in the times that these things were taking place. If you were alive at the time, wouldn't you love to sit and have a chat with Muhammad or Jesus? I sure would. Thanks for this absolutely excellent discussion and education for us.
• Canada
18 May 07
That's it exactly....learning from different cultures. To me, this is extremely important if one really wants to get to know God, one should look at Him from all angles.
1 person likes this
@missak (3311)
• Spain
17 May 07
You are most than welcome! I have also learned a lot doing this discussion. I feel the same about religion, it is good to hear that there is someone else who tries to get good from every teaching from different cultures.
3 people like this
• Pakistan
27 May 07
Learned and stole are two different words that should be used as muslims learned different things from so many different cultures and than spreaded the knowledge and in doing so invented so much of their own aswell and i think if they haven't spreaded this wonderful knowledge to Spain how would the Europe would be right now? So atleast they should be given the credit of spreading the knowledge to the far corners of the world else we can say that USA and Israel stole all the knowledge from Europeon countries and i don't think that would be justifiable as they learned from them and than used and upgraded on their own.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157671)
• United States
20 May 07
I am aware of many of these things. I love your picture, but couldn't post a comment there, as I am not on your friend list. It is indeed a beautiful structure. As a child I loved Washington Irving's Tales of the Alhambra. I will have to see if I can find a copy to read again.
@missak (3311)
• Spain
20 May 07
Thanks for your post! I wasn't aware of that Tales, I'll have to research on them :).
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
27 May 07
Well, the philosophy of Greece and the advances of Greek medicine where translated under Muslim rule but the people that actually did the translation were Christians living under that regime, so it is a mute point to credit this to the Muslim empire. Much of what the Muslim world bought to light was imported from other cultures. all the best urban
2 people like this
@urbandekay (18278)
27 May 07
Well no, actually the Muslim world has contributed comparatively little to world knowledge that is new or original. all the best urban
2 people like this
• Pakistan
27 May 07
Not only they learned from those cultures but also enhanced/upgraded the knowledge as its a ongoing process to upgrade whatever you have right now so atleast thats their credit the adaptivity and the spread of knowledge to all the corners of the world.
2 people like this
@missak (3311)
• Spain
27 May 07
That is not right, urbankay, still I respect your answer. You may want to check the works of Al-Razi, Al-Kindi,Al-Ghazali, Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Al-Khawarizmi, Omar Khayyam... (Not christians huh?). All the best for you also.
1 person likes this
@saralee1 (1983)
• United States
28 May 07
Indeed Muslims have contributed a lot to society, that we wouldn't have otherwise! In general, I have found most Muslims to be kind, and indeed hope they are the group GOD chooses in the end, because I think it would be funny to see a bunch of Christians converting to Islam. (how funny!)It would serve them right too, because Christianity is nothing like who Jesus was.
• Pakistan
28 May 07
Thanks for acknowledging and thanks for the wishes for Muslims aswell and ofcourse thanks for the good comments,so when are you converting :D, i invite you to study Islam if you haven't yet and see the difference.Happy mylotting dear sara!
1 person likes this
@missak (3311)
• Spain
29 May 07
lol you're right, it would be funny! It remembers me a Lil Kim lyric: "All you haters will see.. see.. see!"
@eyewitness (1575)
• Netherlands
16 May 07
Well uhm i don't any examples but i am a christian and my mom is catholic and my dad is muslim and it works fine. We just have to open ourselves for eachother.(maybe that's an example). But i think you're right every religion has it's flwas but also it's good things for example muslims have to share their things one time a year to people who have nothing in their country i think that's great and we should all do that.
@missak (3311)
• Spain
16 May 07
You yourself are a good example, thank you very much for sharing your story! I agree this muslim tradition is very humane and a good example also.
3 people like this
@paywise (500)
• Indonesia
18 May 07
Yeah I heard about that. I thinks we can go to the future with filling each others. We can blame or hate each other cause this situation caused by political issue. Muslim, Christians, Buddhist, Hindust, Kong Hu Chu, and the other religion up the world have an believable to their God. So, We are Brotherhood.
2 people like this
@missak (3311)
• Spain
18 May 07
You're right. I'll got to research about Kong Hu Chu... Thanks for your answer.
1 person likes this
@paywise (500)
• Indonesia
19 May 07
You're welcome. Godd luck for searching Kong Hu Chu, we can discuss in another time.
2 people like this
@zeppelin (16)
• Indonesia
16 May 07
yes iknow,, do you want about a muslim against again i muslim too, where do you from i like muslim,, and we are freedom thanks to discuss have a nice day man zeppelin from indonesia thanks.
3 people like this