What is Shariah? (video)

Islamic Perspective on Halloween

Islam in Asia: Introduction

  From the Middle East to southeastern Asia, from central Asia to the Pacific Islands, the diversity in Asia is striking. Yet, despite cultural differences, the religion of Islam forms a common thread across Asia. The majority of people in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, and Indonesia, to name just a few, find commonality

Baghdad: A Center of Learning

  As the city of Baghdad grew, it developed a reputation for learning and research. Scholars from all across the Islamic world were attracted to Baghdad, quickly turning it into an intellectual hub. This was no surprise because Islam puts so much emphasis on acquiring knowledge. In fact, the very first verses revealed to Prophet

Ibn Khaldun: Father of Social Sciences

  Ibn Khaldun, the father of social sciences, was an eminent figure who hailed from northern Africa; he lived from 1332 to 1406 A.D. He was born in present-day Tunisia and traveled extensively across North Africa, not to mention a stint in Granada, Spain. He died in Egypt. As a child, Ibn Khaldun received a

Timbuktu, Mali

  Timbuktu has long captured popular imagination as a legendary city. The fact that it actually exists still surprises some people who have merely pictured it as a mysterious or mythical place. In reality, Timbuktu became renowned for its riches and scholarship after it was permanently settled by the Muslims. Timbuktu is located in the

Islam in Africa: Introduction

  Islam’s presence in African history dates back to the first phase of the Prophet Muhammad’s mission, when in 615 A.D. he instructed a group of Muslims to seek refuge in Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia). While this was a short-lived encounter, Muslims eventually left a lasting influence in North Africa which has since spread to western,

Africa: Historical Cities and Figures

Saulat Pervez Over the centuries, many intellectual hubs formed in Africa under Muslim rule. These included: Cairo in Egypt, Fez in Morrocco, Kairouan in Tunisia, Tlemcen in Algeria, and Timbuktu in Mali. Here, let us look at brief overviews of Cairo, Kairouan, and Timbuktu. Cairo Kairouan Timbuktu               At

From Mulberry to Silk – The Journey of Islam in China

By Musaddique Thange China is sometimes referred to as a “riddle wrapped in an enigma”. A nation with an ancient civilization that is one of the fastest growing economies of the modern world, a people steeped in history that also carry the promise of the future, and a country that is at once associated with

Ibn Battuta

  Ibn Battuta, a celebrated traveler, was born in Tangier, Morocco. He lived from 1304 to 1368/1369 and is renowned for his travelogue, Rihla, which simply means Travels. It recounts his many journeys throughout the Muslim world as well as far-flung regions like Russia, China and Constantinople. Along the way, he encountered many adventures and