The history of the African and Middle Eastern world is; to a large extent; the story of a religion-Islam-and how it claimed millions of followers across empires and kingdoms. First proclaimed by the Prophet Muhammad in the seventh century; Islam quickly spread; through trade and conquest; from the Arabian Peninsula to vast sections of Asia and Africa and even to parts of Europe. The cast of characters in this story is fascinating: from the Prophet himself to Abu Bakr Muhammad ar-Razi; a Persian physician who compiled a multivolume medical encyclopedia; Mehmed II; an Ottomon sultan who conquered Constantinople and brought the Byzantine Empire to an end; Mansa Musa; a West African emperor who distributed gifts of gold all along the route to Mecca; and Ibn Battuta; a Moroccan Berber whose travels through the Islamic world in the 14th century covered 75;000 miles.The pages of The African and Middle Eastern World tell not only about these figures and many others but also about Islamic principles and laws; the religion's different branches (including the Sunnis and Shiites); and the widely varied geography and cultural practices of this world. Also covered are people like the Shona of Southern Africa; who remained outside of Islam's long reach. Numerous primary sources-including excerpts from an eighth-century biography of Muhammad; "The Tale of King Sinbad and the Falcon" from The Thousand and One Nights; and a story about leadership from the West African oral tradition-further illuminate this history.
#2692669 in Books Eliza F Kent 2004-04-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.30 x 1.40 x 9.30l; 1.40 #File Name: 0195165071336 pagesConverting Women Gender and Protestant Christianity in Colonial South India
Review
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Women in cultural shiftBy Stephanie OxleyA bit over-documented for my needs; but thoroughly explains the importance of women setting the pace for cultural shift and caste elimination.
