Why Study Early Islamic Civilization?
It is incredibly important for students to learn about the early elements of Islam. This is outlined in the standard 7.1: “Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the civilizations of Islam in the Middle Ages.” Today, the United States has an apprehensive relationship with most Islamic countries, such as Pakistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, etc. Because of this tense relationship, students are likely to hear about the various extremist Islam groups that are causing issues for the United States, as well as their native countries. Students see a stream of negative images that are associated with Islam and Muslim people. Daily, they see how these nations are different from western nations, particularly the United States, but they are not told about the similarities. These similarities are seen in the religion itself, the patterns of growth that built Islam civilizations, and patterns of trade. Most students have no idea that Islam used to be the most popular religion in the world that spread as far as Spain. In addition, Islam civilizations created ground-breaking cities with beautiful architecture, were highly influential in trade, and were the homes of several influential, great minds. It is important for students to break down the black hat/white hat scenario that now tends to follow discussions concerning Muslim nations. It is also important for students to know that what is seen and talked about in the news usually concerns the extremists, not the general population. It is critical to humanize Islamic people and open the mind of our students so that blind hatred does not develop because of our single perspective news reporting.