History: Controversial Debate Challenge

Thank you. I wish to point out that my opponent is quite far off-topic. While he does mention certain historical periods that are related to Muslims, he does not stick to the original topic whatsoever. Since I have the burden of proof, how can he expect me to spend all the characters for refutations, and at the same time make my own case? It is illogical. I will therefore come with short rebuttals, and continue making my case thereafter. Rebuttals 1. Carolingian Renaissance What does a renaissance that occurred in the 8th-9th century got to do with a totally different European renaissance that occurred numerous centuries afterwards? Just because there were other minor renaissances in the world when Muslims were highly prosperous does in no way indicate that they were not the ones who contributed mostly to driving the Dark Ages out of Europe. I challenge Con to find one expert and one book which says that the Carolingian Renaissance contributed to ending the Dark Ages of Europe. 2. Muslim expansion Con presented some unnecessary and unsupported rant against Muslims and their expansion throughout history. He wants me to avoid making use of my role (having the burden of proof) and spend all the words defending the Muslims instead of presenting my case. Does he know that the early Muslims tried to establish friendship with other cultures, and they spread peacefully in many ways? West Africa is Muslim, and I'd like to know which army conquered it. I would also like to know which Muslim army conquered Indonesia and Malaysia. I can refute all his points, but I need to stick to the original topic. 3. Origin of the Renaissance Con implied that Muslims had nothing to do with the European Renaissance. So, all the scientific achievements that we have today have nothing to do with the past, perhaps? Did we just learn everything in an instant, or is it due to the fact that knowledge was passed on to us throughout generations? It is the latter. Similarly, just because the European Renaissance was expanded upon when Muslims didn't reign in Europe does not mean that they were not the ones who contributed a lot to it. I will now elaborate. Arguments 1. Entering Al-Andalus [1] In the year 711 AD, a Muslim figure by the name Tariq bin Ziyad lead a Muslim army of seven thousand men to conquer the lands of Al-Andalus. That was due to the fact that the Muslims, who were also the Moors (i.e., from North Africa), were called for help by heirs in the early Spain to remove a tyrant from power, also known as King Roderic. This is a historical fact. " Julian , a Christian, appealed to Musa ibn Nusayr, the Umayyad Governor of N. Africa for assistance in avenging Roderic for his crime, and hence take him out of rule. Musa did not commit to a full-scale invasion, but called upon his lieutenant to take charge." [2] Once Muslims took control of Al-Andalus, they established one of the most prosperous societies in the pre-modern world. They achieved scientific prosperity, which included medicine, chemistry, astronomy, etc. The politics they lead gave freedom to people that made them shine compared to the people in the rest of Europe, who were forced to live as Christians, who had unequal perspectives in politics, and so forth. 2. Political prosperity When the world had trouble finding political solutions for conflicts between religious and cultural groups of people, the Muslims in Al-Andalus made it evident that peace was not an impossible goal whatsoever. While the medieval Christians never opened the path for other religious groups to prosper in a society, or even other cultures, the Muslims in Al-Andalus let both Jews and Christians have even the highest societal ranks, i.e., as politicians. They were given freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of political association, and they were given the status as ahl al-Dhimmah, i.e., People Under Contract / Protection. The Muslims, like no other people in older days, demonstrated all these good societal situations. "In the first three centuries of the Muslim domination the Jews enjoyed great influence and prosperity. Jews frequently served the government in official capacities and played an active role in political and financial affairs." [3] Such fascinating facts point toward another fact: that Muslims made major contributions to driving the Dark Ages out of Europe. While they did not directly put forth the ages of Renaissance, it changes absolutely nothing about the fact that their achievements opened ways toward the Renaissance, and that their examples were used by those who officially instigated the Renaissance. In his book 'How Islam Created the Modern World,' [4] Mark Graham explains how Islam strongly encouraged Muslims to establish politically prosperous societies, as well as to seek knowledge, because the Koran [39:9] says, "Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?" Furthermore, Graham explains how Muslims opened the way to the Renaissance, and how their works were used even centuries after Al-Andalus was conquered by Ferdinand and Isabella (and they did not let a single Muslim or Jew stay alive, unless he submitted to Christianity). Other books on the topic are 'The House of Wisdom: How the Arabs Transformed Western Civilization,' 'The Ornament of the World: How Muslims, Jews, and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain.' And so on. 3. Scientific achievements The Muslims brought some of the most fascinating inventions, and this was during the Islamic Golden Age in general, i.e., not only in Al-Andalus. The scientific inventions not only go into the field of e.g., physics and chemistry, but also medicine, astronomy, and numerous other fields of science. Their works were used during the European Renaissance, but many are still found in our modern world, without doubt. I will go briefly through a few out of extremely many inventions made by the Muslims. a. Medicine Muslim doctors invented the first medical treatment for sexual/erectile dysfunctions, and they were withal the first to establish a diagnose for these dysfunctions. Moving on, the Muslims introduced and pioneered in cough syrup, medical alcohol, experimental surgery, injection syringe, opthalmology, and I can go on for hours. Moreover, in the year 754, the first pharmacies were instituted by Muslims. This was a tremendeous yardstick in the medical world. b. Technology Muslims invented and developed further many mechanical technologies which were highly beneficial and inluential. Among many, some of the inventions were artificial simulations of weather phenomena, bayonet mount, grab dedger, and so forth. Musli also made fascinating contributions and inventions to navigational techonlogy, e.g., aviation. On top of that, inventions within the category of analogue computers were also splendiferous. Among many, some inventions were a lunisolar calendar computer, programmable analogue computer, linear astrolabe, and so forth. c. Science Within the general fields of science, Muslims made many discoveries that were, without doubt, world-changing and world-benefitting. The last reference elaborates and touches many topics in this area. [5] Conclusion No matter what someone says about this, the fact that Muslims opened the way to the European Renaissance should never be doubted, and the fact will not be changed. While the Muslims were not perfect (they were humans, too), their achievements and examples to be followed outweighted their negative deeds. Their works were used by scientists during Renaissance, but also today. References [1] http://en.wikipedia.org... [2] http://alandislam.tripod.com... [3] http://www.scribd.com... [4] http://www.amazon.com... [5] http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com...