Will you list some of the great societies and technological advances you're talking about
Also jaguar, are you muslim?
No, I'm not a muslim.
As for technological advancements... whoa... where do I start? The list is incredible....
Arabic numeralsOur modern numerical system for one. Our adaption of arabic numerals may seem like a trivial thing, but it's introduction facilitated calculations much faster & and much more efficiently than Roman numerals. Just imagine for a moment the difference as well as the ease and the efficiency of calculating Arabic numerals to the more cumbersome Roman numerals for advanced mathematics.
AstronomyIslamic scholars charted the stars, as well as created instruments to measure the distances between stars relative to the earths rotation. Islam knew the earth rotated around the sun, long before Copernicus dared utter such "heresy"
Navigationsee Astronomy above
MedicineIslamic doctors developed medical instruments for delicate surgeries, some of which are still in use today in paediatrics to neurosurgery. While they performed delicate neurosurgery with anesthesia, ...there European contemporaries were relying on leeches & exorcisms, and amputations without anesthesia.
ArchitectureSome of the greatest architecture was built by Islam. The remarkable thing about many of these erections, is not so much in the monumental scope of them, ...but rather the absolute perfect symmetry they incorporated into their designs. A good example of that can be found in the Al Hambra <sp?> in Spain. Some could even say Islam was first to develop the concept of Feng Shui.
Only now are we beginning to recognize the importance & validity of symmetry, as more than an aesthetic, but something having an impact on the life force of those who dwell therein. Those who have had the pleasure of visiting Al hambra, are immediately struck by the overwhelming sense of peace & tranquility that overcomes them upon entering. It is due to the absolute perfect symmetry with which the castle was built... a concept not lost on later renaissance architects like Vitruvious or daVinci.
After the conquest of Islam, much of it's knowledge was disseminated throughout the rest of Europe giving birth to the renaissance.
Street LightsModern Islamic cities (at the time) were clean, paved, had street lights, while europeans still lived in squalor in huts
TextilesIslamic societies produced some of the finest linens available. Interestingly enough, ...and most would have a conniption fit if they knew, ...but most of those robes we see many Christian saints portrayed in, bear Islamic mantras & slogans pertaining to Islam. Catholics would freak if it were more widely known that on those portrait of the Madonna, the ribbons around the hood and sleeves of her cloak bear the saying "There is only one God, ...and Allah is his name."
IrrigationUnlike previous great civilizations of Africa which had the Nile, as a desert people, Islam had no such benefit. The challenges of irrigation of fields to my knowledge was first solved by Islam. water turbines etc., etc.,
DistillationThe distillation of alcohol, and well as flower essences was first invented by Islam.
Pottery glazingModern glazed pottery was brought to us by Islam.
ExplosivesTorpedos were first developed by Islam.
KitesWhat we know as a children's toy, was once developed by Islamic culture as a weapon of war.
This is just random off the top of my head, ...but the list is vast, and absolutely amazing! it would blow your mind.
Islam reverred knowledge, and sought to acquire knowledge. While Islam was building universities & higher institutions of learning, churning out scholars, intellectuals, and inventors en masse, ...Christianity was preaching and encouraging ignorance as a means of maintaining control over it's people. Higher knowledge was discouraged and viewed as a potential threat to the Catholic church. as a result, there grew and remained a HUGE gap of knowledge between the two which only widened over the centuries.
For centuries, Islam was the political and intellectual power of Europe. With their defeat, came the inevitable attempts at erasure from history, and the plagiarism of their cultural, political, intellectual, & scientific contributions to society. Her influence can still be seen, felt and heard throughout many parts of Europe however, for those who know what they're looking at... from the cathedrals (former mosques) ...to the windmills of Holland, ...to the flamenco music of Spain. Islam and her influence is there in abundance.
