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Truth in California Textbooks ReviewDiscovery Education/Grade 7/Medieval & Early Modern World History/2017Problem: Omission of Fact (OF), Half-Truth (HT), Factual Error (FE), Slant (S), Bias (B), Incorrect Terminology (IT)OF means that there is additional useful information to help students learn complete history. The author/publisher has not deliberately omitted material to fulfill an agenda. HT means that the author/publisher has presented "half of the story" and has omitted the other half for agenda-based reasons. HT leads to slant and bias.LocationQuoteProblemFact & Source1.1, Explore 5, paragraph 7, The Silk RoadDiseases also moved freely along the road. The bubonic plague, which began in Constantinople, swept through western Asia and Europe along the routes of the Silk Road. FEThe bubonic plague originated in China, and was spread by boat as well as on land.Source: (Accessed 7/24/17)1.1, Explore 9, People on the Move, paragraph 2, Saharan NomadsHistorians used to believe that these nomadic groups were less developed than people living in settled empires. Early historians called these groups “barbarians” in comparison with their “civilized” kingdoms. However, new research shows that this was not the case. The nomadic tribes were just as developed and complex as their settled neighbors.FEThe text goes on to acknowledge that little is known about the nomads because they left no written records. Thus, the text admits that the nomads were not as developed – due to lack of written records.2.2 Explore 2, Video Segment: Rome Turns on the Etruscans2.2 Explore pg 3 Video Segment: Creating a RepublicThe first minute focuses on Etruscan influence.The second minute abruptly shifts to Livy, writing centuries later during the time of Augustus.The video ends with the line, “The conflict between patronage and politics was set to explode.”ConfusingDisconnectedIncompleteNeither the text nor the title of this brief video prepares students for its content. The timeframe is confusing.There is no clear connection between video and text as the text never uses the word “patronage”.The document discussing the life of a “plebe” doesn’t deal with this explosive issue.This mixing of labels continues in Explore page 4.2.2 Explore, Reading Passage, The Republic Then and Now, paragraph 3[Re: The Framers of the U.S. Constitution] They even drew inspiration from the power-sharing of the Native American Iroquois Confederacy.FEThe Iroquois employed an alliance of inherited, lifetime tribal leadership which bore little resemblance to the U.S. Constitution. The Iroquois influence is greatly exaggerated.Source: 3.1 Explore 3, paragraph 1However, historians and religious scholars do not agree about how much of the Gospels is literally true. The Gospels were all written between 40 and 60 years after the death of Jesus. Although there is non-Biblical evidence to show that Jesus was a historical figure, there is limited evidence outside the Gospels documenting the events of his life.FE, BGiven Jesus’s lack of status and brief ministry, there is a surprising amount of information documenting his life.Each of the Gospels was written by eye witnesses and Paul’s letters are based on reports from many who were close to Jesus. Add letters by Peter and James. The Old Testament is filled with prophecy, most notably Isaiah 7, 9, and 53.3.1 Explore 3 paragraph 2He gathered 12 followers, known as disciples, and traveled from town to town, teaching about God and healing the sick.?OFThere is no mention of Jesus’ most significant and supernatural miracle – raising the dead. This is far more supernatural than healing the sick or injured.According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus raised 3 people from the dead - the widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17), Jairus’ daughter (Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21, Luke 8:40-56) and Lazarus (John 11:1-44).3.1 Explore 3 paragraph 3Jesus was arrested by the Romans for calling himself King of the Jews. The Bible does not make it clear whether this was a title Jesus gave himself or whether he was only called that by some of his followers. FEJesus was not arrested by Roman authorities. He was arrested by “a large armed crowd who came from the Jewish chief priests and elders” – Matthew 26:47, Mark 14:43, Luke 22:52, John 18:2-3. Jesus did not call himself King of the Jews. He only responded to Pilate’s direct question, “Yes, it is as you say.” (Luke 23:3, John 18:33-37)3.1 Explore 4, Video: The Teachings of JesusVideo at the 2 minute mark raises the question of Jesus’s divinity, stating that some Christians such as the Unitarians see him only as a wise teacher.OF, HTChristians, by definition, believe in the divine nature of Jesus. Unitarians are a tiny minority, many of whom are atheists and non-Christians."Unitarian-Universalism". Major Religions Ranked by Size. Adherents3.1 Explore 6, Reading Passage, Evangelism and Missionaries, paragraph 3The four written Gospels are the first four books of the New Testament. According to tradition, two were written by disciples of Jesus – Matthew and John – while the other two were written by followers of St. Paul – Mark and Luke.OFStudents need to be informed that the eye-witness source for Mark was the disciple Peter and the eye-witness sources for Luke were Mark’s Gospel plus a lost volume of quotes by Jesus known as Q.Sources: (Accessed 8/2/17) (Accessed 8/2/17) 3.1 Explore 6, Reading Passage, Evangelism and Missionaries, paragraph 6According to accounts in the Bible, one day, as Paul rode along the road to Damascus, he had a vision from God and was struck blind for three days. This vision changed his mind. He claimed that God had called him to be both a Christian and an evangelist for the faith.FEIt was not God who spoke to Paul on the road to Damascus, but Jesus. Source: Acts 9:5 and Acts 22:83.1 Explore 6, Video:Christianity and ChaosMisplaced, not relevantThis video seems topically and chronologically out of place.3.1 Explore 6, Reading Passage, Evangelism and Missionaries, paragraph 14This statement [a joint declaration of three evangelical organizations] stressed the importance of accepting, rather than trying to change, the faith of other people. This approach, one of acceptance, can help people find things in common with one another, which is an important step in understanding differences.FE, BAll missionary work involves sharing what is believed to be a better religious faith. The joint declaration (see source) makes no mention of accepting rather than changing someone’s religion.“Christian witness in a pluralistic world includes engaging in dialogue with people of different religions and cultures.”Source: (Accessed 8/2/17) 3.2 Explore 4, VideosVideo 1: The Oldest MonasteryVideo 2: Becoming a MonkBoth videos portray the lives of Coptic Christians in modern day Egypt.OFAt no time are students told that the once majority Copts are rapidly dwindling and under constant attack in Egypt.Over 100 were slaughtered in early 2017, including 28 traveling to St. Samuel’s. One wonders if Christians in the videos are still alive.2017/05/26/africa/egypt-shooting-coptic-christians3.2 Explore 3, VideosVideo 1: Constantine Becomes EmperorVideo 2: A Christian RulerRepetitiveThese two videos are virtually identical.The narrators are different.3.2 Evaluate 3, The Church Splits, paragraph 4Pope Sylvester I was head of the Christian church from 314-355. Questions about how much power the pope should have helped cause the church to split. FE, OF Pope Sylvester I (314-355) had nothing to do with the church split in 1054.The split was not so much about papal power than doctrinal issues involving the Eucharist, indulgences, papal celibacy, and the statement of faith.Source: 3.3 Explore 9, Spain, paragraph 1During the early 700s, Muslim Arabs and Berbers invaded Spain and by the early 1000s had conquered most of the region. Muslim rulers tolerated Jews, Christians, and other religions, leading to a cultural golden age in Spain. FE, B, SThe notion of a “golden age” in Spain under Islamic rule has been totally discredited. The invading Berbers were illiterate, the schools were basically madrassas teaching memorization of the Quran, and there was little cultural advancement under Islamic rule.Source: Dario Fernandez-Morena, The Myth of the Andalusian Paradise, 2016, pages 60 – 78 in particular.Students need to know that in this Golden Age of tolerance, Christians and Jews were dhimmi and subject to severe restrictions including the punitive jizyah tax.Dhimmi status is defined and detailed at bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/history/spain_1.shtml3.3 Explore 9, Spain, paragraph 6During the Spanish Inquisition, thousands of suspects were tortured and burnt at the stake. The exact number of victims is difficult to estimate. Later, the SpanishInquisition extended throughout the Spanish Empire and was applied toProtestants. Although it was enforced with more strength during certain periods than others, the Spanish Inquisition lasted until 1834.BThe vague statement tends to exaggerate the number of deaths in the inquisition.“No one knows exactly how many people perished because of the Inquisition, but it is thought to be between 3,000 and 5,000 people during the 350 years of its existence, or about 1 per month. The total number of accused heretics put to death during the Spanish Inquisition comprised 0.1 percent of the more than 40,000 who were tried.”Source: (Accessed 8/7/17)3.3 Explore 9, paragraphs 1 and 2Paragraph 1: During the early 700s, Muslim Arabs and Berbers invaded?Spain?and by the early 1000s had conquered most of the region. Muslim rulers tolerated Jews, Christians, and other religions, leading to a cultural golden age in Spain.Paragraph 2: By the late 1200s, the Christian Spanish had pushed the Muslims out of all of Spain except for the Kingdom of Granada in the south. The Reconquista brought an end to the golden age of cooperation between religions in Spain.?OF, HT, BStudents need to know that in this Golden Age of tolerance, Christians and Jews were dhimmi and subject to severe restrictions including the punitive jizyah tax.Dhimmi status is defined and detailed at bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/history/spain_1.shtmlSociety was sharply divided along ethnic and religious lines, with the Arab tribes at the top of the hierarchy, followed by the Berbers who were never recognized as equals, despite their Islamization; lower in the scale came the mullawadun converts and, at the very bottom, the dhimmi Christians and Jews. Bat Ye’or, Islam and Dhimmitude: Where Civilizations Collide, (Madison, NJ: Fairleigh Dickinson Press, 2002) There was a constant war to retake Spain from the Muslims starting at the Battle of Cavadonga in 722 AD until 1492 when the last Muslim stronghold, Granada, was defeated. This passage does fit the situation of constant war fare that went on to retake Spain from the Muslims, does not coincide with Muslim treatment of unbelievers according to Islamic teachings, and does not support the existence of a golden age of cooperation., this passage ignores the rejection of science and rationality exemplified by the burning of Ibn Rushd’s books in Cordoba, 1195. See review, 4.3, Explore 7, paragraph 3.3.3 Explore 12, Reading Passage: Constantinople Explore 12 is titled the Beginning of the Crusades.MisplacedThis reading passage on the history of Constantinople seems completely out of place.3.3 Explore 12, VideosVideo #1: The Crusades BeginVideo #2: Siege of JerusalemVideo #3: Richard the Lion-hearted Conquers AcreBAll three videos highlight the slaughter of Muslims, Jews, and others perpetrated by the pare the Conquests of Islam (548 battles over 1400 years) to the Crusades (16 battles over 300 years that ended 900 years ago).watch?v=t_Qpy0mXg8Y Dr. Bill Warner, “Why are we afraid?”3.3 Explore 13, paragraph 3Although the Crusaders succeeded in controlling part of the Holy Land for periods of time, they failed in their goal of permanently controlling the region. Also, their efforts caused bitter feelings between Muslims and Christians for centuries.?FEThe Muslim animosity toward Christians was expressed in the Quran, written 465 years before the first Crusade, and today it has been 726 years since the last Crusade.“O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for friends. They are friends one to another. And whoso among you takes them for friends is indeed one of them. Verily, Allah guides not the unjust people.” -- Quran, Surah 5:52Said another way, the Crusades took place 465 years after Muslims began to invade and conquer heretofore Christian lands, namely, the Byzantine Roman empire. (Accessed 5/16/17)3.3 Explore 13, Video: Legacy of the CrusadesAt the 30 sec mark, Akbar S. Ahmed, Chair of Islamic Studies, American University, comments on the impact of the Crusades, “Impact on the Muslim world was minimum because here was a civilization already at a peak and what the European Crusaders brought to the Middle East was simply ideas of war, warriors and sometimes brutal savagery…” (Narrator on Muslim ideas taking root on the continent) “…what was positive for Europe was civilization, which means chivalry, which means learning, which means books, which means a way of life, which means cleanliness in personal hygiene and personal diet.”FE, BThis reviewer is struck by the arrogance of this statement but even more concerned that such a factually incorrect and biased account of this very controversial time period would be included in an American textbook.Not only were Muslims fighting among themselves (sometimes with the aid of the Crusaders), but they had a greater threat in the form of the Seljuk Turks and the Mongols.Source: Helen J. Nicholson ,The Crusades, (2004), pp xxv – xxvi (Accessed 5/16/17) The issue of Islamic v. Christian brutality has been addressed. See review, 3.3, Explore 12, 3 videos.That it was Islam and Muslims that brought chivalry, learning, books, etc. to Europe has also been addressed. See review, 4.3 Explore 7, paragraphs 2 and 3.3.3 Explore 15, The End of the Wars, paragraph 3Later in 1429, Joan was wounded in a battle and captured by the Burgundians, who sold her to the English. The English convicted her of heresy and witchcraft and sentenced her to death. She was burned at the stake in Rouen, France, in 1431FEThe English tribunal leveled 70 charges against her, but ultimately she was punished for wearing men’s clothes, an obscure provision of canon law.Sources: (Accessed 6/23/17) and (Accessed 8/7/17)4.1, Engage, 1,Fatima’s Story. Paragraph 1“Allah u akbar! Allah u akbar!” “God is great! God is great!”FEThis is a miss-translation of the Arabic which means “Allah is greater!” The Arabic word for Great is ???? (Kebir). The Arabic word for Greater is ???? (Akbar)Source: (Accessed 8/8/17)4.1, Engage, 1,Fatima’s Story. Paragraph 1Fatima’s mother joins them and leads them in prayer as they stand, kneel, and prostrate themselves before God.FEAllah and the Judeo-Christian God are two different deities. To avoid confusion, the god of Islam should always be identified as Allah.Source: (Accessed 8/8/17)4.1 Engage, paragraph 3Maryam, who attends university, has recently decided to wear a headscarf as a symbol of her faith and modesty. Fatima hasn’t decided whether she wants to wear a headscarf or not. Her parents told her that she should pray about it and that it should be her choice.OF, HTThe fictional account takes place in Oman. In Oman and many other Islamic countries, women do not have this choice.Women wear hijab, and though some women cover their faces and hands, most do not.Source: Culture of Oman, Sultanate of OmanIn some Muslim countries women are required by Islamic law to wear either a hijab (Iran) or burqa/niqab (Saudia Arabia). In other Muslim countries she could be physically harmed for not wearing a hijab, even if the law does not mandate it. and (Accessed 7/30/17)4.1 Engage, Para 4, Lines 1-3Instead, the family will meet at the mosque for Friday prayers and a sermon by the imam, or prayer leader, of the mosque.S, HTAlthough her family will meet at the mosque for Friday prayers, the family will not be all praying together. The women are segregated away from the men in mosque for Friday prayer and sermon. This is not simply an established tradition, but a principle doctrinal teaching of Islam. and Explore 3, Video, Muhammad and the Beginning of Islam01:58 Several years later, in 630 C.E.,02:03he led 10,000 of his followers back to Mecca,02:06which was captured, with very little resistance.FE, OF, S, BThis is the first of three different descriptions of Muhammad’s return to Mecca.A different version is presented in 4.1 Explore 5, Opening text, pg 1, paragraph 3, “Gradually, Islam spread throughout Medina and to surrounding Arab communities. However, Meccans still attacked Muhammad and his followers. War raged between the Meccans and the Muslims until finally, in 630, Muhammad and his followers marched from Medina to Mecca, threw the idols out of the Kaaba, and rededicated it to Allah. Muhammad forgave his enemies. He returned to Medina and continued to unite the Arabian Peninsula under Islam. In 632, Muhammad made a pilgrimage from Medina to Mecca that became the model for Islamic pilgrimages.”And still another version is presented in 4.1 Explore pg 5, Reading Passage, pg 2, paragraph 3, “Hostilities between Muhammad and Mecca steadily grew. When war broke out, Muhammad and the Muslims fought the soldiers of Mecca and triumphed.”NOTE: Fourth inconsistency of five in 4.14.1 Explore 3, paragraph 1 and 2Paragraph 1: Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born in Mecca, one of the main trading centers of the Arabian Peninsula, around 570.Paragraph 2: During the time of Muhammad, Mecca was a quickly growing trading center at the heart of the trade between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean.FEThe opening chapter, 1.1 Connecting the World discusses ancient civilizations throughout the world and constantly refers to archeological evidence. Where is the evidence of Mecca’s existence as a main trading center in 570?“Otherwise, in the vast corpus of ancient literature, there is not a single reference to Mecca, not one.” Tom Holland, In the Shadow of the Sword (Little, Brown, 2012), p. 303.The text states Muhammad was born around 570 AD. The first mention of Mecca in external literature is 741 AD. (Holland, Shadow, p. 471)Dan Gibson, Qur’anic Geography, (CanBooks, 2011)Patricia Crone, Meccan Trade and the Rise of Islam (Princeton, U.S.A: Princeton University Press, 1987), pp. 7, 134.4.1 Explore 3, Reading Passage, pg 2, paragraph 3More importantly, Muhammad told the people that Allah was the only God all people should worship. He told them that neither Jews nor Christians should be forced to convert because they were already “people of the book.”OF, FEThis statement can be understood only when students read the opening text, 4.1 Explore, pg 4, paragraph 2, “This God, called Allah in Arabic, was the same monotheistic God that spoke to Abraham and was followed by the Jewish people and Christians.”It is, however, contradicted by a passage from the Quran, from 4.1 Elaborate, pg 7, Source Library, Excerpts from the Quran Regarding Jews and Christians, “Infidels now are they who say, “God is the Messiah, Son of Mary;” for the Messiah said, “Oh children of Israel! Worship God, my Lord and your Lord.” Whoever shall join other Gods with God, God shall forbid him the garden, and his abode shall be the fire…” (Surah 5, Verse 72).How does the text justify the presentation of contradictory statements/evidence on such a vital point? See 4.1, Explore 4, paragraph 2 Review for additional information.NOTE: This is the first of several inconsistencies in 4.1. 4.1 Explore 3, Reading Passage, pg 2, paragraph 3Also important, all people were to pray three times a day.FE4.1 Explore, pg 4, Reading Passage, pg 2, paragraph 3, correctly states, according to Muslim tradition, “He (Allah) first told Muhammad that Muslims must pray 50 times daily, but Muhammad was able to talk him into decreasing the number to five.”NOTE: This is the second of several inconsistencies/contradictions in 4.1.4.1 Explore 3, Reading Passage, pg 3, paragraph 3As the leader of the new Muslim group, Muhammad gathered together all the other religious groups of Yathrib. He pledged that they would protect one another and respect one another’s religions. OF, HT“Respect one another’s religions” is contradicted by the Quranic verse (Surah 5, Verse 72) quoted in the review above.It is further cancelled by the description in 4.1 Elaborate, pg 7, Activity 2, Map Guided Inquiry: Roots of Islam. When the student clicks on the map, then on Medina, he is told, “Over time hostility developed between the Jews and Muslims in the city. Eventually, Muhammad expelled the Jews from the city.”Medina (Yathrib) was home to 2 Arab tribes. There were also 3 Jewish communities. The Jewish communities rejected Muhammad’s leadership. Muhammad expelled 2 of the Jewish tribes and slaughtered 600-900 men of the 3rd (the Qurayza), taking the women and children as slaves.Guillaume, The Life of Muhammad-A Translation of Sirat Rasul Allah by ibn Ishaq (died767 AD), Oxford University Press (Oxford/New York, 1955/2006), pp. 363-364, 437-445, 461-469, 689-690.How does the text justify burying this very important detail?NOTE: Third inconsistency.4.1, Explore 3, Reading Passage – The Life of Muhammad, Page 2, Para 1, Lines 7-9Muslims eventually came to see Muhammad as a messenger, or prophet, of God, like Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.HTMuhammad taught that he was last and greatest of Allah’s prophets, whose teachings superseded those of former prophets such as Abraham, Moses and Jesus. He was considered the man who possessed the highest level of moral virtues (the model or perfect Muslim), even exceeding Jesus Christ.Surahs 33:21, 33:40, 68.4 "Sunnah." In The Islamic World: Past and Present. Ed. John L. Esposito. Oxford Islamic Studies Online. 22-Apr-2013. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-04-19. Retrieved 2013-04-22.4.1, Explore 3, Reading Passage – The Life of Muhammad, Page 2, Para 2, Lines 3-5He told them that neither Jews nor Christians should be forced to convert because they were already “people of the book.”HTEarly on Muhammad taught “there is no compulsion in religion” in Surah 2:256. But this teaching was abrogated by his later teachings that specifically instruct Muslims to force conquered Christians and Jews to either: convert, be killed, or submit to Islamic rule by paying the jizya tax and suffer other restrictions.Surah 9:29, 47:4, 9:5 and Muslim 19:4294, Sira 920, Explore 3, Reading Passage – The Life of Muhammad, Page 2, Para 3, lines 1-2Muhammad began to gain followers. Many were drawn to the power and beauty of his speeches.FEThe first 12 years of the Muhammad’s ministry in Mecca only yielded about 150 converts willing to follow him to Medina in 622 CE. The number and wealth of his converts grew exponentially in Medina after he changed his teachings - permitting violence toward non-Muslims and rewarding his followers with booty, slaves, and land captured by raiding caravans and conquering lands and peoples. Warner, Bill. Statistical Islam, CSPI Publishing, p. 4. Watt, Muhammad, Prophet and Statesman, Oxford University Press, 1961, p. 105,107.4.1, Explore 3, Muhammad the Trader, paragraph 5“In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the MercifulRecite thou, in the name of thy Lord who created; Created man from clots of blood.” FEThere are over 50 English translations of the Quran, and only one of them uses “God” or “Allah” anywhere in Surah 96. (That translator is a self-proclaimed “Messiah.” Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri.)Source: (Accessed 8/8/17)4.1, Explore 3 – Reading Passage – The Life of Muhammad, Page 3, Para 1, Lines 2-5Also referenced in 4.1, Explore 4, Reading Passage – Islamic Religious Traditions, Page 2, Para 4, Lines 1-2In the dream, he flew to Jerusalem, where he preached to the great biblical prophets and then was taken on a tour of the heavens.Accompanied by Gabriel, Muhammad then rode Buraq to Jerusalem, to the site that is now the Dome of the Rock.FEMuhammad’s Night Journey, described in Surah 17, states that he flew on a donkey-like creature from Mecca to “the Farthest Mosque” one night in 621 CE. It does not specifically indicate the Majid Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. In fact, the Quran never mentions the city of Jerusalem.The earliest mosque in Jerusalem (Majid Al-Aqsa mosque) was not built until 680-690 CE. It was not considered a true holy site of Islam or “the farthest mosque” until the 12th century when Saladin, the Muslim Kurdish warrior, claimed the “farthest mosque” was built on top of the Jewish Temple, as an excuse to attack the Christian Crusaders who had taken control of Jerusalem. and , Explore 3, Reading Passage – The Life of Muhammad, Page 3, Para 3, Line 1-3The Quraysh were furious and vowed to revenge for the Muslims’ departure. What Muhammad had done was extraordinary. Never before had part of an Arab tribe split off to create an independent tribe.FEThe Quraysh tribe did not seek revenge for his departure from Mecca. They were angered at his criticism of their pagan polytheism but more importantly, at his raiding trade caravans en route to Mecca that stole their wealth, wives and children, and killed their men.Francis E. Peters, Muhammad and the Origins of Islam, SUNY Press, p.169.The Life of Muhammad: Sirat Rasul Allah, Muhammad ibn Ishaq, translated by Alfred Guillaume, Oxford Press, 2004, p 119.4.1, Explore 3, Reading Passage – The Life of Muhammad, Page 3, Para 5, Lines 1-4After his wife, Khadijah, died, Muhammad took as many as 11 wives. The rule he had established had been a maximum of four, but the prophet regarded his ties as politically necessary. He also declared that it was permissible, or acceptable, to break the rule if the man was trying to help, a woman in need.FE, OFPolitical necessity and helping women in need were not reasons for Muhammad’s marriages.He married 6 year-old Aisha, daughter of long-time convert Abu Bakr, and consummated the marriage at age 9 (Bukhari Vol 5, Bk 58, N234). He married his adopted son’s wife, Zaynab bint Jiash, after his son felt obliged to divorce her. Allah conveniently gave Muhammad permission to marry her. Three of his wives were booty captured in war. He married the Safia, wife of the chief of Khaybar, after he was tortured and beheaded. Political necessity? Women in need?Robert Spencer, The Complete Infidel’s Guide to the Koran, Washington, Regnery Publishing, 2009, pp 88-93William Federer, What Every American Needs to Know About the Qur’an, St. Louis, AmeriSearch, 2007, pp 45-47, 52-53.4.1, Explore, 3 –Reading Passage -The Life of Muhammad– Page 5, Question 44. What were some of Muhammad’s teachings? Based on what you have learned, describe how his teachings and the way they were presented to people helped draw in converts to this new religion. Provide details and evidence to support your answer.S, BEliminate this question. This is proselytizing especially since the story of Muhammad is whitewashed and contains no negative aspects of Islam.4.1, Explore 4, Para 2, Lines 1-4Muhammad taught that Meccans should abandon their many gods and worship the one true God. This God, called Allah in Arabic, was the same monotheistic God that spoke to Abraham and was followed by the Jewish people and Christians.FE, BAll references to God should be changed to Allah. Allah is not Jehovah, God of Abraham or the Father of Jesus for the following reasons:This claim is in direct conflict with repeated Quranic claims that Allah has no partner or son and to claim that he does is blasphemy: Surahs 112:3-4, 72:1-5, 5:17, 5:72, 3:61, 9:31. The Quran denies the historical fact that Jesus died on a cross (Surah 4:157). Therefore, Christians must deny the most basic and fundamental beliefs of Christianity to believe in Allah.There are also fundamental differences in the nature of Allah and God. Allah hates sinners (Surah 2:276) and provides no redemption for them. Jehovah God loves sinners (John 3:16) and offers redemption. Allah views his followers as slaves (Surah 39:53-54); Jehovah God views his followers as children (Mark 14:36). Allah exhorts Muslims to slay pagans and to fight the Jews and Christians (People of the Book) until they are subjugated and pay the jizah tax with willing submission (Surah 9:5 and 9:29). Jehovah God teaches his followers to love your neighbor as yourself (even your enemy (Mark 12:31, Leviticus 19:18). The last major Surah of the Quran includes the following command: “Fight against such of those to whom the Scriptures were given [i.e., Jews and Christians] as believe neither in Allah nor the Last Day, who do not forbid what Allah and His apostle have forbidden, and do not embrace the true Faith, until they pay tribute out of hand and are utterly subdued.” (Surah 9:29)4.1 Explore 4, paragraph 1Muhammad told people about his messages. First, he told his family and friends, and then he told others. His followers recorded his teachings in the Quran, which later became Islam’s holy book.FEStudents are presented three dramatically different versions of when and how the Quran was written. This is one. The second is in 4.1 Explore pg 7, Opening text, paragraph 2, “Because others wrote down the teachings of Muhammad, many different early accounts existed. In 651, about 20 years after the death of Muhammad, Caliph Uthman, the third ruler after Muhammad’s death, compiled an official version of the Quran. He consulted with those followers who had been present at the time of Muhammad’s revelations, and together they compiled a version that most followers agreed was the truest to what Muhammad had said. Then, Uthman ordered all other versions destroyed.”Then, they are told, 4.1 Elaborate pg 7, Activity 2, screen 2, cell 1, “In 622, Muhammad and his followers moved to Medina, a city about 200 miles to the north of Mecca. There he wrote the Quran, which became the basis of the Muslim religion.”NOTE: Fifth inconsistency/contradiction. (Fourth is in Eval.)More important, the statement, “many different early accounts existed” completely contradicts Islamic tradition that not a word of Allah’s revelation of the Quran has been changed.4.1 Explore 4, Video: Foundations of Islam: Customs and Traditions00:18pristineIislam, the faith when it has not been corrupted by misinterpretation,00:24or by the desire for power or gain,00:26is a religion based on the principle of peace and equality,00:31and of tolerance and understanding.B/SThis appears to be an attempt deflect the issue of violence in Islam, past and present. Repeated claims that Islam is a religion based on peace, equality, tolerance and understanding have been challenged and will continue to be challenged not only in Chap 4 but throughout this text.NOTE: This video is repeated in 4.3, Explore 5!4.1, Explore 4, Video – Foundations of Islam: Customs and Traditions“Islam is generally tolerant of other religions.” S, FE, BIslam is the least tolerant religions in the world based on studies of religious persecution. Christianity is currently the most persecuted religion in the world.Islamic extremism fuels religious persecution in 14 of the top 20 countries, and 35 of the top 50 countries with the most religious persecution of Christians. In 2016 over 90,000 Christians were murdered for their faith, 30% at the hands of Islamic extremists., Explore, 4, Para 3, Lines 1-2Muhammad also taught about social issues. He taught that all Muslims were equal in the eyes of God.HT, OFMuslims men may be equal in Islam, but kafirs (unbelievers) are not equal. If pagans, they are to be converted or slain (Surahs 9:5, 47:4). If People of the Book (Christians and Jews), they are to be converted, subjugated, or slain (Surah 9:29). 4.1, Explore 4, paragraph 2Islam teaches that people who repent are able to achieve this unity and have their sins cleansed.FEThe cleansing offered in Surah 9:104 is a “perchance” or “mayest” possibility, but the paradise “promised” in Surah 9:111 is only for those who fight for the cause of Allah and “kill and are killed.” These teachings are in no way followed by Jews and Christians. 4.1, Explore 4, Reading Passage, Islamic Religious Traditions, paragraph 6According to the Quran, God appeared to Abraham in a dream and told him to sacrifice his son Ishmael. Abraham loved Ishmael, but he had to obey God’s order. He prepared Ishmael to be sacrificed. When God saw the devotion of the faithful Abraham, he spared Ishmael. He sent the angel Gabriel with a ram. Abraham joyfully sacrificed this ram instead of his beloved sonFEThe Quran does not identify which of Abraham’s sons was to be sacrificed, and there is no mention of a ram in the Quran. This is a matter of intense debate regarding the credibility of the Quran because this non-Quranic “tradition” disagrees with the Biblical account.Source: 4.1, Explore 5, paragraph 4Then, Muhammad was invited by some recent converts to Islam to come to Medina, a nearby town, to resolve a dispute.FE, S, BMuhammad was not invited, but fled to Medina to escape being murdered by angry Meccans, "Muhammad gradually acquired wealth and converts, and within a half-dozen years he was the master of Medina... Moreover, why was Muhammad “persecuted” in the first place, as Islamic hagiography holds? Because he was telling the people of Mecca how to live their lives — that is, by abandoning their gods and traditions and accepting his “revelations,” now known as Sharia. ?So they drove him out, he was accepted as a “refugee” in Medina." , Explore 5, paragraph 4Gradually, Islam spread throughout Medina and to surrounding Arab communities. However, Meccans still attacked Muhammad and his followers.FEThe Muslims in Mecca attacked Qaryish Meccan caravans on two occasions before any retaliation by the Meccans. Naklah (624 ) and Badr (624 )Source: Ibn Ishaq, The Life of Muhammad, A. Guillaume, translator, 1955, pages 287 and 2914.1, Explore 5, paragraph 4War raged between the Meccans and the Muslims until finally, in 630, Muhammad and his followers marched peacefully from Medina to Mecca, threw the idols out of the Kaaba, and rededicated it to Allah.FEIn 628, Muhammad signed a 10 year truce – the Treaty of Hudaybiyya -- with Mecca, but he broke that truce after only 2 years and marched on Mecca with a force of 12,500 armed men, catching the Meccans by surprise. It was “peaceful” only because the Meccans were not able to resist the surprise attack.Source: Ibn Ishaq, The Life of Muhammad, A. Guillaume, translator, 1955, pages 545 - 5574.1 Explore 5, Reading Passage, pg 1, paragraph 2The Greek geographer Ptolemy was one of the first writers to mention Mecca. In the 100s CE, he referred to it as “Macoraba.” However, Mecca’s roots in religious history go back to ancient biblical times.FEThere is no archeological evidence that Ptolemy’s Macoraba was Mecca.“we can also be quite safe in concluding that Mecca and Medina did not appear on Ptolemy’s map. This would be in keeping with the archeological records that shows that Medina was not settled as an urban area until the breaking of the Ma’rib Dam between 542 and 570 AD (Gibson, 2010:216) and that Mecca was not settled as a city until around 900 AD.” , Patricia (1987). Meccan Trade and the Rise of Islam. Princeton University Press. pp. 134–135. ISBN 1593331029.Moreover, more than 90% of Mecca and Medina’s archeological sites have been destroyed by Saudi Arabia.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/saudiarabia/8303974/4.1, Explore 5, Reading Passage, The Holy City of Mecca, Question 4 at the end of the reading passage4. The hajj is the most important journey in a Muslim’s lifetime. Muslims must complete several steps on their trip to Mecca, including drinking from the well of Zamzam and kissing the Kaaba.FEMuslims do not kiss the Kaaba, but rather, they kiss the Black Stone, which is imbedded in one corner. This is per Muhammad’s example.“Narrated 'Abis bin Rabia: 'Umar came near the Black Stone and kissed it and said, ‘No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit anyone nor harm anyone. Had I not seen Allah's Apostle kissing you I would not have kissed you.’" (Bukhari Hadith 1494)Source: Ibn Ishaq, The Life of Muhammad, A. Guillaume, translator, 1955, page 5524.1 Explore 6, paragraph 4Charity, or ZakatThe third pillar is charity. Muhammad told his followers to take care of the orphans and the poor. According to the teachings of Islam, Muslims must share a part of their wealth with their poorer neighbors.OF, BThis description of Zakat is incomplete and misleading.Only one-half of Zagat goes to charity. There are eight categories of zakat (charity): the poor, those short of money, zakat workers (get 1/8th of the funds); those whose hearts are to be reconciled (i.e., bribing allies), purchasing their freedom (from captivity), those in debt, those fighting for Allah (Mujahidim), and travelers needing money. Normally, the money is divided equally among the qualifying categories. Zakat money may not be given to a non-Muslim.al-Misri, Reliance of the Traveller, paragraphs h8.7 to h8.244.1, Explore, 7, Para 5, Lines 1-3Jihad, though not a pillar of Islam, is an Islamic idea. Jihad means "to struggle." The Quran tells Muslims that they should fight to protect themselves or to right a horrible wrong.HT, FE. BJihad is incorrectly defined as self-defense or justice against a crime. According to the Quran and Sunnah – it is an armed struggle against unbelievers with the goal to force unbelievers to convert to Islam, submit to Sharia Law and pay the jizyah tax or be killed. It is meant to worldwide in scope and unending - until an Islamic caliphate rules the entire world.Jihad is considered by most Shi’a Islamic scholars and a minority of Sunni scholars to be the Sixth Pillar of Islam. It is mentioned 164 times in the Quran and over 50 times in Sahih Bukhari as a violent struggle.Mohammed taught that Jihad was the second most important activity of a Muslim after the First Pillar of Islam - the Shahadah (profession of faith) - Sahih Bukhari 1:2:25. Jihad is considered the 6th Pillar of Islam.Umdat al Salik, Classic Manual of Islamic Law (Shafi), Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri, d. 1368, Section o9.8. Education or Indoctrination? The Treatment of Islam in 6th through 12th Grade American Textbooks, 2011, Dr. Alfonsi presents 8 pages (pp. 58-66) of heavily documented analysis of the concept of jihad. Most of the sources are Islamic scholars and sacred texts. 4.1, Explore 7, Para 8, Line 1-6Like most religions and legal traditions of the era, Islamic law is based on a patriarchy, in which men have rights that women do not. Still, Sharia law provided some protections for women that were not common in other societies. For example, husbands were legally required to provide for their wives and a wife could obtain a divorce from her husband if she could prove mistreatment or neglect.OF, HTAlthough it is patriarchal, it is far more oppressive and demeaning to women compared to Mosaic law, English Common Law, and US laws. Islamic Sharia law is based on the Quran, Hadiths and Sira which gives husbands significantly more rights than wives including:a husband’s right to beat his wife for any reason he deems necessary…disloyalty, misconduct, disobedience (Surah 4:34).right to divorce his wife by stating so three times. (Surah 2:229, Sahih Muslim 9:3493). A woman cannot divorce a man unless the man agrees or a special exception is made by a Sharia court.legal testimony is less than a man (Surah 2:282)Inheritance rights less than a man (Surah 4:11)wives as sexual property of the husband (Surah 2:223)husband’s confinement of wife to the home (Surah 33:33)husband’s privilege to have multiple wives (Surah 4:3) and child marriage (Surah 65:4)4.1, Explore 7, A Holy Book and Guides to Follow, paragraph 5However, Muhammad declared this the “lesser jihad.” The “greater jihad” was the struggle within oneself to accept God’s will and to battle evil.FE‘The hadith in which Muhammad is said to speak of "greater" vs. "lesser" jihad is of doubtful authenticity. It does not appear in any of the six collections of the sahih sittah. In fact, a number of scholars maintain that this hadith is a forgery (2). One scholar analyzes this hadith and considers a number of factors, such as chain of transmission and other more reliable, contradictory hadith.’ Source: (Accessed 8/10/17) "This hadith has no sources and nobody whomsoever in the field of Islamic knowledge has narrated it. Jihad against the disbelievers is the most noble of actions and moreover it is the most important action for the sake of mankind." Ibn Taymiyyah, Al-Furqan, pp 44-45 4.1, Explore, 7 –A Holy Book and Guides to Follow– Page 1, Para 4, Line 1The Quran contains stories similar to the Jewish and Christian holy books about earlier prophets, such as Abraham and Jesus.OF, HTThe Quran references many Biblical events and characters. However, the Quran presents hundreds of textual discrepancies, incorrect genealogies, apocryphal characters, stories, distorted and false doctrinal statements about Christianity and Judaism. For example, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is recorded as the sister of Moses and Aaron who lived 1400 years before the birth of Jesus (Surah 3:36). It states that Christian trinity is God, Jesus and Mary (Surah 4:171). Quaranic discrepancies with the Bible are likely the reason Muhammad claimed the Bible and Torah were corrupted (Surah 2:79 and 91). Page 33, I4074.1 Elaborate, Activity 3, Source Library, Document, IslamNot one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.—–A Hadith of the Prophet MuhammadOF/FESource of this “hadith” is not identified. It seems to be hadith #13 of Nawawi’s 40 hadith collection. See: (Accessed 8/11/17) This collection is not considered reliable, and furthermore, the “hadith” is contradicted by Surah 48:29 of the Quran. See: (Accessed 8/11/17)This saying sounds very much like the Christian “Golden Rule,” but the hadith is not authentic. 4.1 Elaborate, Activity 3, Source Library, Document, Islamic Scriptures from the Quran“The Story” – “Be good to others as Allah has been good to you, and do not strive for evil in the land, for Allah does not love the evil-doers.”OFNo references given for these quotations.The first quotation from Surah 28:77 is not a commandment of Allah, but rather of the people of Korah who rebelled against Moses. (Numbers 16:11) The other passages in this document are not taken from Surah 28, “The Story,” but rather are taken from Surahs 24:22 and 4:2 respectively, and are completely out of context relative to the first quotation.4.2 Explore 1, Arab Unity or Separation, Reading Passage, Islam: Sunni and Shi’a, paragraph 9Conflict -- Sunni and Shi’a Muslims have lived in peace; however, at times their religious divisions have prompted violence and war.OFThe chronology of the Sunni-Shi’a split shows that the only times they weren’t fighting each other was when they were fighting a common enemy, like the Mongols. This chronology also calls into serious question the claim of Islamic tolerance. (Accessed 8/11/17)4.2 Explore 2, Para 4, Lines 6-8Umar allowed Jews and Christians to continue to worship as long as they paid money to the Arab leaders. This idea was followed in later Muslim empires.HTUmar also established the Pact of Umar with conquered Christians and Jews in Syria, Jerusalem and Mesopotamia. In exchange for protection, the conquered Christians and Jews were forced into a dhimmi status with suppression of their rights, religious liberty, and economic opportunity. Their freedom to worship and practice their religions were significantly restricted. They were also forced to submit to Muslims and pay an annual jizyah tax. This Pact was based on concepts and direct commands in the Quran and was later incorporated into Islamic Sharia law.At this point, students should be reading the Pact of Umar, which details the specific restrictions imposed on them. An excerpt is in the Elaborate sectionSpencer, Robert, The Truth About Muhammad, Washington: Regnery Publishing, 2006, pp 191-196. Medieval Sourcebook: Pact of Umar, 7th Century? The Status of Non-Muslims Under Muslim Rule, Paul Halsall, Jan 1996, Fordham University.4.2 Explore 2, paragraph 4Umar allowed Jews and Christians to continue to worship as long as they paid money to the Arab leaders. This idea was followed in later Muslim empires.OFThis is the core principle and theme that dominates this chapter, particularly 4.2 and 4.3. Students will be told repeatedly in text and video of the tolerance and acceptance of Islam.Students should know that the price for Jews and Christians to retain their religions was the onerous jizyah tax, which financed Islamic empires.Journal of World History, Vol. 4, No. 1 (1993), page 49 ( (Accessed 7/2/17))Al-Turtushi, Siraj al-Muluk, pp. 229-230, fordham.edu/halsall/source/pact-umar.html Bat Ye’or, The Dhimmi-Jews and Christians Under Islam, Fairleigh Dickenson University Press (Rutherford, NJ, 1985) p.53, 64, 188, 196-198.4.2 Explore 2, The First Wave of Islamic Expansion, paragraph 4The state religion of the Sassanid Empire was Zoroastrianism. This followed the words of their prophet Zarathustra. It is considered the first major religion that obeyed a single god.FEJudaism (established around 2000 BC) and Christianity (established around 50 AD) were both major religions that obeyed a single God.Source: (Accessed 8/12/17)4.2, Explore 4, paragraph 1Muslims ruled in Spain during the years 711 to 1492. Historical evidence shows that Muslims treated their Christian and other non-Muslim citizens well. This is likely because of the example set by Muhammad. FEThe Christians, Jews and non-Muslims were still treated as dhimmis or second-class citizens in Muslim-occupied Spain. They were required to pay the jizyah tax. They were forbidden from proselytizing Muslims, building new places of worship or publicly displaying crosses or ringing church bells or religious rituals. If they criticized Muhammed or Islam, they could be put to death. There were several massacres of Jews by Muslim in Cordoba in 1011 and Granada in 1066, with a total of 7000 Jews killed.Maria Rosa Menocal’s The Ornament of the World. New York: Little, Brown & Co. 2009 pp 72-73. William Federer, What Every American Needs to Know About the Qur’an, St. Louis, AmeriSearch, 2007, p 99.4.2 Explore 4, Para 1, Lines 6-8Even so, Muhammad still believed that Jews, Christians, and Muslims were “People of the Book.”FEThe People of the Book, as presented in the Quran, and Hadith includes the Christians, Jews, because of their belief in the Torah and Bible. People of the book are to be subdued by Muslims and offered 3 options: conversion to Islam, dhimmi status or death, 9:294.2 Explore 4, Para 2, Lines 1-4Muhammad wanted to establish the first Islamic state. In 622, he put together a document called the Constitution of Medina. According to this document, he gave Jews and Christians certain rights. He also made them responsible for certain actions. He gave them freedom of religion.FE, SThe Constitution of Medina was not a constitution to establish a true Islamic state. It was a social contract proposed by Muhammed to stop intertribal fighting, resolve conflicts peacefully and ensure religious freedom for Muslims, polytheists and Jews in Medina. It is an example of Hudna, in which Muslims negotiate cease-fires when weak and in minority. When stronger, they fight without mercy and force the conquered into submission. After Muhammed gained military power with victory at the Battle of Badr, he voided the treaty in 624 and attacked the Qaynuqa Jews.It does not represent how an Islamic state rules a conquered land, as does the Pact of Umar and Sharia Law.Serjeant, RB (1964) The Constitution of Medina. Islamic Quarterly. 8:3–16.William Federer, What Every American Needs to Know About the Qur’an, St. Louis, AmeriSearch, 2007, pp 50, 81.4.2 Explore 4, Para 3, Lines 1-5During this period of history, it was the practice of enemy armies to kill or enslave the conquered people. However, the Muslim armies did not always do so. ?The Arab method was to keep a military presence in camps outside the conquered city. The Arabs would keep an eye out for any challenge to their authority. Once Arab rule was established, those who had surrendered were left alone.HT, SAlthough they did not always kill or enslave conquered people, they frequently did so, particularly if the conquered refused to pay the jizyah tax or submit to Islamic demands. It is also false to say that they did not militarily occupy conquered cities. Much of the Muslim looting and destruction of churches, synagogues, shrines, and libraries was committed by Muslim armies in conquered cities.Dr. Bill Warner from the Center for the Study of Political Islam estimates that 1400 years of Islamic conquest has resulted in the death of over 270 million non-Muslims. Explore 5, Para 1, Lines 1-5.Older histories of the Islamic expansion often describe Islam as having been “spread by the sword.” This meant that the Muslim armies forced Islam on the people they conquered. Modern historians, however, have changed this idea. It is now believed that Muslim rulers who conquered vast territories rarely forced non-Muslims to convert to, or join, Islam.FE, S, BThis is historical revisionism to assert the Islamic did not “spread by the sword”. Islamic expansion was primarily military. Conversions were primarily made possible through initial military conquest.The conversion of non-Muslims to Islam that took place in Muslim-conquered lands was multi-factorial – threat of loss of life, threat of harm or injury, economic enticement (booty, better economic and educational opportunity, avoidance of jizya tax, avoidance of interest on loans), social and peer pressure, religious persecution, etc.The concept of Islam “spread by the sword” stems from Muhammad’s claim, “I have been made victorious with terror…”Bukhari, Vol 4, Hadith No. 220 Explore 5, Time Is Mightier Than the Sword, Image, Tomb, Sufi mystic poet, Jalal ad-Din Rumi.The rapid spread of Islam in Asia and Africa owed much to the proselytizing efforts of Sufi missionaries.FESince the Sufi cult is considered heretical by both the Sunni and Shiite branches of Islam, the contribution of Sufi missionaries cannot be counted as a positive effort to Islam. They are cited only because they represent a peaceful, non-violent view of Islam more palatable to Western minds.Source: John O. Voll and Kazuo Ohtsuka, Sufism, ?ūf? Thought and Practice, The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World, (Accessed 8/14/17)4.2 Explore 5, paragraph 4The Islamic custom of the seclusion of women, especially by the wearing of concealing clothing, originated in the Persian culture and was adopted throughout the Islamic empires.FEAnalyses of early Islamic art shows women were not wearing concealing clothing. (Accessed 8/14/17)The modern-day originator of the hijab was Mussa Sadr to distinguish Shiite women during the Lebanese Civil War. (Accessed 8/14/17)4.2 Explore 5, paragraph 5Shariah is the religious law of Islam. It spells out the price paid for leaving the faith once converted: death.OFThis stunning admission is perhaps the most compelling illustration that Islam’s tolerance has significant limitations. Death is Shariah’s penalty for any and all Muslims who leave their faith.4.2 Explore 6, Reading Passage, Abbasid Baghdad, paragraph 14The Abbasid Dynasty lasted until 1258 CE, but the “Golden Age” was much shorter.OFThe text fails to explain that the “Golden Age” ended with the triumph of the absolutist Ash’arites over the rational Mu’tazilites around the end of the 9th Century under the reign of Caliph Ja’afar al-Murawakkil.Robert R. Reilly, The Closing of the Muslim Mind, (2010), page 41. 4.2 Explore 7, paragraph 1In 638, Islamic armies captured Jerusalem. They did this to protect one of their holy sitesFEThere were no Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem in 638. The Dome of the Rock Mosque was built from 687-691. The al-Aqsa Mosque was built by Caliph Umar after conquering Jerusalem.Source: (Accessed 8/15/17)4.2 Explore 7, paragraph 1European rulers saw the Crusades as an opportunity to demonstrate, as well as increase, their power, control, and wealthFE, BThe text exaggerates the selfish motives over the religious and humanitarian motives.Source: (Accessed 8/15/17)4.2 Explore 7, Para 1, Lines 1-5 In 638, Islamic armies captured Jerusalem. They did this to protect one of their holy sites. Christians invaded Jerusalem for the same reason. They wanted to protect their holy city and the Christians who traveled to Jerusalem as religious pilgrims. The actual reasons may have been more political.OF, HTThere is no mention of the appeal of the Byzantine Emperor Alexus I Comnenus to the Roman Catholic Pope, Urban II, in 1095 in this section or in The Capture of Jerusalem Reading Passage. The Byzantine Christian Empire was on the verge of collapse with the Muslim attacks. Urban II hoped to reunite the Roman Catholic and Byzantine Church under his leadership.Pierson, Paul Everett (2009). The Dynamics of Christian Mission: History Through a Missiological Perspective. Los Angeles: WCIU Press, p 103 Explore 7, Para 2, Lines1-2The Crusades (1095–1291) were a violent series of campaigns by Christian armies against the Muslim world.S, BThe Christian Crusades are described here as “violent”. Nowhere in the text does it describe the Islamic conquest as “violent”. The last 1400 years of Islamic conquest have resulted in killing of approximately 270 million non-Muslims. The Muslim invaders decapitate enemies with scimitar swords, raped women, enslaved women and children, ransomed prisoners, forced captured boys to serve as janissary soldiers, looted and destroy hundreds of thousand churches and synagogues.The Crusades only resulted in the loss approximately 3 million lives (including Muslim and non-Muslims). Explore 7, Para 5, Lines 1-2, 4-5From the 600s to the 1400s, Islam united many people living in various parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa.In time, Islam became the one element that the different populations under Muslim rule had in common.S, B, IT, FEThe word “united” usually indicates a mutual harmonious joining together for a common purpose or action with agreement of the involved parties. This is a glorification of Islam.The Islamic Conquest was not mutual or by agreement of the conquered people. It should state that Islam “conquered many people.” They all did not share Islam as a common religion. Explore 7, Video: The Crusades(1:36) …vibrant new Muslim religion spanned three continents.B/SThis is but one example of the kind of language used to describe Islam throughout the text. 4.2 Explore 7, Reading Passage, pg 1, paragraph 4(T)hey won with chilling brutality. The Crusaders killed hundreds of citizens in Jerusalem. The massacre included Jews, Muslims, and even some Christians.B/SOFThis is the second time this kind of language is used to describe the Christian Crusaders. See 3.3 Explore 12 review of three videos.4.2 Explore 7, Reading Passage, The Capture of Jerusalem, paragraph 13Saladin was regarded as a brave warrior, but he was also a compassionate man. Unlike the First Crusaders, who slaughtered the people of Jerusalem, Saladin showed mercy on those he conquered.FE, B“[In the capture of the castle Vadum Iacob] Saladin’s troops stormed the castle on 29 August 1179. Of the defenders, 700 – all Templars and Turcopoles – were slain; the rest, around 800 men, were enslaved and deported.” (Accessed 8/15/17)4.2, Explore, 7, Video – The CrusadesWhen you click of this video, it plays a different video – Islam – A Challenge to Christianity. I was able to find The Crusade video on the right hand side of the page.Bias These two videos reflect a bias that the Islamic conquest was nonviolent and led to cultural, architectural and educational enhancement of Europe – even leading to the Renaissance. The Crusade video emphasizes the vicious, unenlightened and selfish nature of the Crusaders.4.2 Engage 1He who becomes a Muslim does so in his own interest.In your own words, what do you think this quotation means?What do these words say about Abu Bakr?What do they have to do with the expansion, or growth, of Islam?BIt is inappropriate to ask a 7th grade student to speculate when he or she has little information or understanding of Islam and its expansion.The video, Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, would not load.4.2, Evaluate, The Further Expansion of Islam, paragraph 4As a religion, Islam did not spread by the sword, but Muslim rule did.FE, BThere is no separation of religion and political rule in Islam. All aspects of Muslim rule are determined by the Quran and Shar’ia law.Source: (Accessed 8/16/17)4.2, Elaborate, Activity 1, Para 1, Lines 3-6You will write a letter to the Caliph expressing your opinion in support of the continuing policy of tolerance and supporting your opinion with religious, political, and/or economic reasons.S, B, OFThis exercise is encouraging students to endorse dhimmitude, which Muslim caliphs forced upon conquered people. Islam did not practice religious tolerance. This is like asking a Jew stuck in a Warsaw ghetto, to write Hitler and encourage him to continue his “religious tolerance” program. Rather, the students should write a letter from a Christian dhimmi, complaining about the imposed restrictions on religious freedom.Surah 9:29, 47:4, 9:5 and Muslim 19:4294, Sira 9204.2 Elaborate, Primary Sources, Excerpt from Account of 636 Battle of al-Yarmuk[Entire document]BThis single account of Christians welcoming Muslim invaders is a distortion of the truth without countervailing accounts of the inhabitants of Alexandria (besieged for 14 months in 641), Cyprus (649), Sicily (652), Constantinople (668, 717, and 1453). (Accessed 8/15/17)4.2 Elaborate, Primary Sources, Excerpt fromAccount of Life in Baghdad[Entire document]BNot only is this the second excerpt from Benjamin of Tudela purporting to show the gentle treatment of Jews by Muslims, it ignores the fact that Jews were considered second class citizens (dhimmi) and were subject to the same onerous restrictions as Christians in the Pact of Umar. (Accessed 8/15/17)4.3 Explore 2, Paragraph 3While in Medina, Muhammad and his followers shared Islam with other people and cultures.FEThere is no evidence that Muhammad and his followers “shared” Islam by any means other than the sword. Ibn Ishaq documents that messengers were sent to numerous kingdoms with the message, “If you accept Islam you will be safe.” Otherwise they would suffer the “sin of the husbandman” a reference to the parable where the landlord would kill the ungrateful tenants in Matthew 21:33 - 41.Source: Ibn Ishaq, The Life of Muhammad, A. Guillaume, translator, 1955, pages 652 - 6574.3 Explore 3, Para 2, Lines 7-9Finally, in 1453, the Ottomans conquered Constantinople. They made it the center of their empire. The Byzantine Empire would last, in some form, for nearly 500 years.FEThe fall of Constantinople in 1453 CE to the Ottoman Empire ended the Byzantine Empire. It did not continue an additional 500 years. The entire length of the Byzantine Empire was from 330 – 1453 CE (also more than 500 years in length). Explore 3, The Ottomans, Para 3, Lines 1-4The military strength of the Ottoman Empire came from its skilled soldiers. They were led by a special group called the janissaries. These soldiers were usually from Christian families. They had been captured and taken away to receive special training. They converted to Islam.OFJanissaries were enslaved Christian boys, age 6-14, taken from their families to pay the Devshirme tax (blood tax) when their country was conquered by the Ottomans. One in 10 was enslaved, forced to convert to Islam, denied access to family, marriage and social interaction beyond their brutal military training with fellow soldiers. They fought battles against their own countryman and other Christian nations. Ingvar Svanberg and David Westerlund, Islam Outside the Arab World, Routledge, 1999, p. 140Nicolle, David, and Christa Hook. 1995.?The Janissaries. Elite series, 58. London, UK: Osprey, p 9-104.3 Explore 3, Para 5, Lines 2-3Suleyman boldly pushed the limits of his empire to the west and the east. He attacked the city of Vienna in modern-day Austria. He also captured the cities of Baghdad and Basra in modern-day Iraq. He became well known in Europe as Suleyman “the Magnificent.” He received this nickname because of his wealth and power. In his own kingdom, he was called Suleyman “the Lawgiver” because he improved the justice system.OFIn 1521 Suleyman also attacked the Christian city of Belgrade and deported the entire Christian population to Istanbul as slaves.As a lawgiver, he grew his wealth by compiling an entire set of laws for the Christians he conquered, levying numerous taxes upon them. This included the poll tax (jizyah), blood tax (surrendering young boys to be jannisaries), bride tax, hoof tax, pasture tax, bee tax, mill tax, herd tax and meadow tax, compulsory or villain (serf tied to the land) service, and provisions for the army taking the field.William Federer, What Every American Needs to Know About the Qur’an, St. Louis, AmeriSearch, 2007, pp 143-144.4.3 Explore 4, paragraph 4By 711, Arab armies had conquered portions of the Indus Valley. This brought Islam to South Asia. In the 1100s and 1200s, Islamic rulers began to extend their territory by conquering Hindu regions. In some regions, lower-caste Hindus, who could not expect to raise their social level, were drawn to Islam. Islam’s message seemed fairer to them. From 1206–1526, Muslim leaders ruled a section of northern India. This area was called the Delhi Sultanate.OF, HT, BIslam’s bloody history in India between the 7th and 16th centuries is ignored.The first attempt to invade India was under Caliph Umar in 636 to pillage Thana. The first full-fledged invasion occurred in 711 under Muhammad bin Qasim. In the siege of Rawar, 6,000 defenders were massacred and the women burned themselves rather than be captured. Indians could either convert or be killed. The Indian treasures were taken as booty. There were subsequent major Muslim invasions in 977 and 1037. K.S. Lal, The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India, 1992, pages 81-89.Between 1000 and 1500AD some 80 million were slaughtered by Muslim invaders in India alone. Will Durant stated, “The Islamic Conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in history.”Will Durant, Story of Civilization, vol.1, Our Oriental Heritage, New York 1972, p.459. K.S. Lal, Growth of Muslim Population of Medieval India (1000-1800).1973.4.3 Explore 4, paragraph 4In some regions, lower-caste Hindus, who could not expect to raise their social level, were drawn to Islam. Islam’s message seemed fairer to them.FEThis is a blatantly false statement.“(T)hroughout the entire period of Muslim rule, the lower caste Hindus and Sikhs joined the resistance and rebellion against Muslim rulers in large numbers; in many cases, it was the lower caste Hindus, who led the revolts.”M.A. Khan, Islamic Jihad – A Legacy of Forced Conversion, Imperialism, and Slavery, (2009), page 113.4.3 Explore 4, paragraph 5Babur and his followers extended the Mughal Empire throughout most of South Asia. They continued blending Hindu and Muslim customsFEMuslim and Hindu customs were at odds, and Muslims methodically destroyed Hindu temples and murdered Hindus.Source: K.S. Lal, The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India, (1992), page 494.3 Explore 5, paragraph 1The Quran is the holy book of the Muslim religion. It includes the laws of the Islamic faith. These laws are called Sharia, and they are the rules for how Muslim people should live their lives.FEMost of Sharia law is man-made. The Quran is only 14% of the total sources for Sharia Law. It doesn’t even address prayer or charity (zakat). Ultimately there were 5 different schools of Sharia Law which emerged hundreds of years after the Quran emerged, all based on the Sunnah of Muhammad.Bill Warner, Sharia Law for the Non-Muslim, (2010), page 6.4.3 Explore 5, paragraph 4The Quran taught that women and men were equal in the eyes of Allah, or God.FEThis is refuted by Surah 2:228, Surah 4:34.See previous review, 4.1, Explore 7, paragraph 8.4.3 Explore 5, Para 4, Lines 5-6Even so, the Quran gave women the right to ask for a divorce in many situations.?FEAccording to strict Sharia Law interpretation, a wife is not permitted to divorce her husband unless she has his permission or permission from a Sharia court. Some liberal interpretations of Sharia allow a no-fault khula divorce, but the wife must pay back her dowry or agreed sum of money incurring significant financial hardship for the wife.Men can much more easily divorce their wife by saying the Talaq (I divorce you) three times.Surah 2:228-230, al-Misri, Reliance of the Traveller, Section N- Divorce. Explore 5, paragraph 5Islam taught that women were to be honored.FESurah 2:223 describes women as “tilth” into which a man may enter as he pleases.Muhammad in his final sermon told men to treat women well “for they are domestic animals with you.”Source: Al-Tabari, History, Volume IX, page 113 4.3 Explore 5, Reading Passage, Goods and Knowledge, paragraph 5,Trade resumed and increased along Silk Road routes. With them, traders brought the religion of Islam and its message of unity and justice. Wherever traders traveled, more people became Muslims.FEThe peaceful conversion of people to Islam is a gross exaggeration.“From the time Muslims started arriving, around 632 AD, the history of India becomes a long, monotonous series of murders, massacres, spoliations, and destructions. . . The massacre and enslavement of the conquered infidels and destruction of their religious institutions by Muslim invaders in India have few parallels in history.”Source: M.A. Khan, Islamic Jihad – A Legacy of Forced Conversion, Imperialism, and Slavery, (2009), pages 200 - 2014.3 Explore 7, Muslim Scholars, paragraph 2Early Muslim scholars were introduced to the ideas, customs, and advanced methods of other societies. They translated texts from Greek, Roman, Indian, and Persian thinkers into Arabic.FEPrincipal translators were not Muslim: Yahya ibn al-Bitriq (Melkite), Hunayn ibn Ishaq (Nestorian), Ishaq ibn Hunayn (Nestorian), Eustathius (Jacobite), Naimah al-Himsi (Jacobite) 4.3 Explore 7, paragraph 3Al-Farabi was an Arab scholar who lived from 878 to 950. He adapted the ideas of Plato and Aristotle to Islam.OFThe text fails to inform students that the Ash’arites determined that Greek logic was incompatible with Islam. Al-Farabi and Ibn Rushd’s books were burned and the teaching of philosophy was banned. Many of their works survive only because they were preserved by those who revered them -- non-Muslims in Europe. Robert R. Reilly, The Closing of the Muslim Mind, (2010), page 121.al-Ghazali, a leader of the Ash’arite movement, called Ibn Sina and Al-Farabi unbelievers (Reilly, Closing, p. 94). Rejection of the Islamic rationalism continues today. Bassam Tibi, The Challenge of Fundamentalism (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1998), p. 71.Even in the 20th century, Ibn Khaldun’s books could not be taught at at Islam’s foremost university, al-Ahzar.Fazlur Rahman, Islam and Modernity (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1982), p. 64.Statement by Ibraham Al-Buleihi, Saudi Shura Council, “…those exceptional individuals were not the product of Arab culture, but rather Greek culture. They are outside our cultural mainstream and we treated them as though they were foreign elements. Therefore we don’t deserve to take pride in them since we rejected them and fought their ideas.” Ibraham al-Buleihi, Ukkaz. April 23, 2009, at Explore 9, paragraph 3Abu al-Qasim was a famous Muslim surgeon. He wrote a long book on general surgeryOFAbu al-Qasim’s achievements also preceded the Ash’arite ascendancy which condemned the study of physics and things in general because nothing happens except by Allah’s specific will.Robert R. Reilly, The Closing of the Muslim Mind, (2010), page 43. 4.3 Explore 10,Reading Passage – Dome of the Rock, Page 1, Para 5, Lines 4-5 Jews rebuilt the temple in the early 500s, and, centuries later, the Romans renovated the temple, which was then destroyed again in 70 CE.FEThe Jews did not rebuild the temple in the 500s. 500BC?Romans did not renovate the Temple. The second temple was built in 516 BCE under Zerubbabel. It was massively expanded by King Herod (Herod the Great) by 9 BCE. Herod, a Jew from Idumea, was appointed king of Judea by the Roman Senate.Josephus. Jewish War – Book 1, 14.4 Explore 10, Reading Passage, The Dome of the Rock, paragraph 3Some historians and archaeologists think that it was built as a shrine to commemorate the precise location where the prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.FE, BText presents an Islamic fable as actual fact. The most authoritative biography of Muhammad asserts that this was at best a dream and at worst a cover-up of why he was sleeping at another woman’s house that night.Ibn Ishaq, The Life of Muhammad, A. Guillaume, translator, 1955, pages 181-186.4.3 Explore 10, Reading Passage, Dome of the Rock, pg 1, paragraph 2In Jerusalem, located in modern day Israel, a unique building called the Dome of the Rock has become a museum for people of all faiths to admire.OF, HTUntil the mid-twentieth century, non-Muslims were not permitted in the area. Since 1967, non-Muslims have been permitted limited access; however non-Muslims are not permitted to pray on the Temple Mount, bring prayer books, or wear religious apparel. The Israeli police help enforce this.Jerusalem's Holy Places and the Peace Process Marshall J. Breger and Thomas A. Idinopulos, Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 1998.Students should also know that the Dome of the Rock is considered by some to be a victory mosque.4.3 Explore 10, Reading Passage, Islamic Art, pg 2, paragraph 3…the Hagia Sophia, is in Istanbul, Turkey. It is built on top of a Christian church from the Byzantine era and is a beautiful example of Islamic architecture.OF, HTA mosque was not built on top of a church. The Hagia Sophia was the largest cathedral in all of Christendom for 1000 years until it was turned into a mosque in the 15th century. It contains some of the most famous Christian mosaics in the world. It is now a museum.turkey/istanbul-hagia-sophia It sheltered Christians who prayed continually during the siege of Constantinople until the invaders broke in and enslaved, physically and sexually violated or simply slaughtered them.Nicol, Donald M. The End of the Byzantine Empire. London: Edward Arnold Publishers, 1979, p. 90. 4.3 Explore 10, Reading Passage, Islamic Art[Entire passage]FE, BRather than discussing Islamic Art, this passage is a long justification for why there is no art in Islam. The entire passage should be deleted.Muhammad said, “The people most tortured by Allah on the Day of Judgement will be those who try to imitate what Allah has created.”Sahih Hadith of al-Bukhari Book 7, Number 835 and Sahih Hadith of Muslim, Book 3, Number 52684.3 Explore 10, Islamic Art, paragraph 2Music and literature thrived in Islamic empires.FE, BIn fact, music and literature are two of the most undeveloped aspects of Islamic culture. Sharia law forbids singing, dancing, and all musical instruments except a tambourine and a kuba drumSource: al-Misri, Reliance of the Traveller, Section r40.0 “Music, Song, and Dance”“The cumulative total of translated books since the Caliph Maa’moun’s time (the Ninth Century) is about 100,000, almost the average that Spain translates in one year.”Source: UN., Arab Human Development Report 2002, page 78.4.3 Elaborate, Source Library, Excerpt from “Old-Time Makers of Medicine”[Entire passage]OF, BThis passage describes the situation prior to the ascendancy of the Ash’arite philosophers who condemned such studies. Source: Robert R. Reilly, The Closing of the Muslim Mind, (2010), page 43.5.1 Explore 3, Para 7, Lines 1-3Indian and Muslim culture blended under the Delhi Sultanate. This blending created a new culture. This could be seen in the art, architecture, literature, and music of the time. Mosques are Muslim places of worship. FE, OF,BThis passage illustrates a bias in describing Islamic conquest of India as a beautiful blending of Indian and Muslim culture. Historians present a dramatically different picture – one of tremendous violence and massive human carnage.See previous review, 4.3 Explore 4, paragraph 4.5.1 Explore 4, Para 1, Lines 2-3Most followers of bhakti were devoted to one of the three major parts of God. These parts were Brahma, Vishnu, or Shiva.FE, BIt is factually inaccurate to refer to the trimurti of Hinduism as three major parts of God. Hinduism is not a monotheistic religion, and the trimurti is not analogous to the Christian trinity. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are 3 separate and distinct gods among approximately 330 million gods of Hinduism. God should not be capitalized because there is no one single supreme God in Hinduism. The use of “God” and the parallel of the trinity and trimurti presents a universalistic bias and misleads students to think Hindus and Christian worship the same God.David Lawrence (2012), The Routledge Companion to Theism (Editors: Charles Taliaferro, Victoria S. Harrison and Stewart Goetz), Routledge, ISBN 978-0415881647, pages 78-79 Explore 7, Reading Passage – Pax Mongolica, Page 1, Para 3, Lines 1-3Genghis Khan and his armies took most of the territory through brutal conquest and destruction. Thousands of people died during the Mongol conquests, both soldiers and civiliansFEGhengis Khan killed far more than a thousand people. Based on several historical analyses, the median estimated war casualties (not counting disease and famine) is 30-40 million people. White, The Great Big Book of Horrible Things: The Definitive Chronicle of History's 100 Worst Atrocities New York: W. W. Norton, 2012, p 578.7.1 Explore 2, Video Segment: Chichimec Indians and the Toltec01:19on a large raised platform in the center of the main plaza,01:24enemies captured in battle were sacrificed to Toltec gods.01:28a victim's heart was cut out01:30and placed on a specially carved altar01:33called a chac mool.01:35as we will see,01:37the Aztecs adopted this practice of human sacrifice,01:40and made it the center of their religion.OF, BThis is the beginning of a major theme in Chapter 7. This theme is constantly repeated in videos and reading passages. For example:7.1, Explore 4 Video, The Mayans, 2:30 mark, describes “ritual bloodletting and human sacrifice” as a “fundamental part of the culture.”Videos in 7.2 show the same scenes of ritual sacrifice at least four times. This practice of human sacrifice is underscored in Reading Passages.This seeming fixation on human sacrifice inexplicably ends in 7.3’s presentation of the Incan Empire. Yet Incans also engaged in this practice.Davies, Nigel (February 1981). Human sacrifice: in history and today. Morrow. pp. 261–262. ISBN 978-0-688-03755-0.Reinhard, Johan (November 1999). "A 6,700 metros ni?os incas sacrificados quedaron congelados en el tiempo".National Geographic, Spanish version: 36–55.This is a sharp and shocking contrast the chapter on Islam.7.3, Explore, 6, an Organized Empire, Reading Passage, The Columbian Exchange, paragraph 2Traditional Western history taught that Columbus was a hero. His arrival brought European goods and ideas that could help improve civilization in the Americas. The impact on native peoples was downplayed. However, today, we know that there was much more to the story. While some still consider Columbus a hero, others see him as a villain. Though there were positive effects, the Columbian Exchange had a long-lasting negative impact.BHistorians who see Columbus as a villain are giving more weight to social impacts than economic and cultural impacts. Also, blaming Columbus for some of the unforeseen consequences, like the impact of European diseases, is evidence of bias. 7.3, Explore, 6, an Organized Empire, Reading Passage, The Columbian Exchange, paragraph 6The conquistadors (Spanish invaders) destroyed religious temples, killed those who refused to convert to Christianity, and forced natives into slavery. Cities were destroyed and cultural artifacts were lost forever.BThese accusations were never raised in Chapter 4 with regard to the Islamic conquest of the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, India, etc. In particular, the Islamic role in the African slave trade is virtually ignored.7.3 Explore 6, Reading Passage, The Columbian Exchange, pg 3, paragraph 3 and 4 Europeans needed manual labor for the agricultural enterprises they set up, so they turned to the African slave trade. Beginning in the 1500’s, thousands upon thousands of enslaved Africans were shipped to the continent.In fact, the majority of enslaved Africans ended ended up in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America—ultimately almost 12 million. Approximately 500,000 were shipped to North America. Current economic hardships and social injustices today can still be traced back to the period of European domination. For example, native populations all over the North American continent struggle with issues of poverty and lack of opportunities.BIt is shocking that this reading passage offers more words on the African slave trade in the Americas than all of Chapter 8, African Empires.There is no mention of economic hardships, social injustices, or continued struggle in native populations in Africa and elsewhere as a result of Islamic domination.8.1 Explore 2, Reading Passage: The Sahel, pg 3, paragraph 3There are hopeful steps toward peace. The country of South Sudan became independent in 2011. This has brought some much-needed stability in the region.OF, FEIt is now 2017 and this passage, like others in this chapter on Africa, should be updated. There are now over I million refugees who have fled South Sudan.Text fails to mention this conflict between the South Sudanese Christians and the Muslim Sudan, is the longest civil war in history – 22 years. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has been charged with genocide by the International Criminal Court in 2010. (Accessed 8/24/17)8.1 Explore 6, paragraph 2The ancient African city of Aksum was well located for this. It sat directly across the Red Sea from Arabia, in what is now the country of Eritrea. Aksum grew rich from trade with cities across the Red Sea.OFA major portion of the trade between Aksum (Ethiopia) and Arabia was in slaves. This is not mentioned in the text.Source: (Accessed 8/24/17) 8.1 Explore 6, Video SegmentVideo: Sub-Saharan EmpiresOF, BAt no time in this video is there any mention of the African slave trade. This is particularly ironic because slavery continued to exist in Mali in the 21st century.Ibn Battula described the importance of slaves in Mali in the 14th c. Noel King (ed.), Ibn Battuta in Black Africa, Princeton 2005, p. 51629/mali-west-africas-last-slaves-break-silenceNote that this video segment is repeated twice more: 8.2 Engage and 8.3 Explore 2.8.1 Explore 1, Reading Passage, Gold Mining in West Africa, paragraph 9Many argue that the dangers are not worth the gold. Though gold is still an important resource, it is possible to use other materials instead. Should the nations in western Africa continue to allow mining? Do profits and beautiful items justify the hazards of the mining process?B, SGold comprises more than half of Mali’s total exports, and Mali’s economy already ranks 147th in the world. Source: (Accessed 8/24/17)This editorial comment about the desirability of mining gold does not belong in a Social Studies textbook. This biased comment may be due to the fact that gold jewelry for men is forbidden by Sharia Law.al-Misri, Reliance of the Traveller, Section f17.68.2 Explore 2, paragraph 2Its capital, Kumbi, was the main market for the gold and salt trade. The city also provided a place for local traders to sell a variety of other goods.OFText fails to include the very significant trade in slaves in this list.“From North to South, and from East to West, the African continent became intimately connected with slavery both as one of the principal areas in the world where slavery was common, and also as a major source of slaves for ancient civilization, the medieval world and all the continents of the modern period.” (Accessed 8/24/17) 8.2 Explore 2, paragraph 5West Africans traded kola nuts, ivory, and enslaved people. Enslaved people from West Africa were usually criminals or war captives. They were taken across the Sahara and sold to North Africans or Europeans.FEMost of the slaves were captured for the specific purpose of slavery. Also, a significant number of slaves (28 million of the 39 million) were transported to the Middle East.Source: Peter Hammond, Slavery, Terrorism, and Islam, (2010), pages 2 and 18.8.2 Explore 3, paragraph 2By 1450, Timbuktu was reported to have 25,000 scholars living and studying in the city. Books were very popular and were traded often. Islamic scholars wrote books in Arabic, which helped spread the language throughout the city and the West African region. Many of their writings are now collected in libraries and museums in TimbuktuFEThe University of Timbuktu consisted of three madrassas (religious schools) located in mosques. At its peak in the 14th Century it served 25,000 students, but the center went into decline after 1591. There are no universities operating in Timbuktu today.Sources: and (Accessed 8/25/17)The role of Islamic translators has been challenged. See 4.3 Explore 7, paragraph 2.8.2 Explore 3, paragraph 5Ibn Battula was a Muslim scholar and traveler from Morroco. He gives us the clearest picture of the kingdom of Mali.OFSee previous review, 8.1, Explore 6, Video. Note the avoidance of any discussion of slavery.8.2 Explore 3, Reading Passage, pg 2, paragraph 2Some of them (ancient manuscripts) included classical Greek and Roman knowledge that was lost to Europeans after the fall of the Roman Empire.FESee 4.3, Explore 7, paragraph 2 review.Note that this claim has been repeated in several chapters.8.2 Explore 3, Reading Passage, pg 3The Heroic Librarians of TimbuktuOFStudents should first understand that the destruction of books and rejection of knowledge is a part of Islamic history. See previous review, 4.3 Explore 7, paragraph 3.They should also know that this is not an isolated incident in current times.ISIS burns Mosel library: Why terrorists target books Explore 8, paragraph 1Around 900, Muslim traders came to the coast of East Africa. They wanted gold, enslaved people, ivory, and other goods.BHuman beings in a list along with “other goods” leaves this reviewer speechless.8.2 Elaborate 1 The Effects of Trade on African EmpiresOFIn the absence of information on or discussion of the world wide slave trade, students cannot begin to answer this question and most of the other questions about Africa in this chapter.8.3 Explore 6, Reading Passage, Religion in Nigeria, paragraph 5However, Islam was never alone in Nigeria. Christianity also took root in Nigeria hundreds of years ago. Europeans arrived in the late 1400s and began capturing Africans for the slave trade.FESlaves were captured by Africans and sold to Europeans directly or through Arab slave traders.Source: Source: Peter Hammond, Slavery, Terrorism, and Islam, (2010), pages 18 - 19. 8.3, Explore 6, Reading Passage, Religion in Nigeria, paragraph 8For example in August 2012, Boko Haram admitted to attacking a Christian church, killing 19 people. The continued enforcement of Sharia in northern Nigeria and the resistance to Sharia by many people also prevents peace.OF, BThis 2012 incident ignores the many more deadly terror attacks by Boko Haram. Examples: 1/12 (Kano) 185 dead, 1/14 (Kawrui) 85 dead, 2/14 (Borno and Adamawa) 150 dead, 2/14 (Bama) 115 dead, 2/14 (Yobe) 59 dead, 3/14 (Maiduguri) 425 dead, 4/14 (Abuja) 75 dead, 4/14 (Chibok) 300 girls kidnapped – most still have not escaped.Source: (Accessed 8/25/17) 8.3 Explore 7, Reading Passage, Mansa Musa, paragraph 7Mansa Musa used Islam to increase trade with the rest of the world and to bring more wealth to his people. He was a devoted Muslim.OF, BThe example of Mansa Musa as a successful, model Muslim is in sharp contrast to the situation in Mali today. Mali is one of the ten poorest countries in Africa, and ranks 43 of 52 African countries in literacy. Sources: and (Accessed 8/25/17)9.1 Explore, Sec 5, Video – Islamic Teachings and the Renaissance“It was Muslims, not European who had preserved and translated the classical texts of ancient Greece and Rome.”FE, BThis video states that the Muslims were the only ones that preserved and translated the classical texts of ancient Greece and Rome. This is factually incorrect.The classic Greek manuscripts had been maintained in Constantinople under the Byzantine Empire and in Alexandria Library. In 642 Muslims conquered Alexandria and burned numerous books from the Alexandria Library including Greek manuscripts. Western European first became exposed to the Greek classics during the time of the Crusades and Latin rule of Constantinople in 1204 during the Fourth Crusade. The Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire in 1453 caused many Byzantine Greek scholars to flee to Western Europe. They brought with them Greek manuscripts of the classical works of ancient Greece and taught Western Europeans the Greek language.The classic Latin/Roman works were primarily preserved by monks of the Roman Catholic Church, who also preserved the use of the Latin language throughout the Middle Ages, so that those Roman works could be read and understood. The monastic libraries preserved and protected these manuscripts. Explore 1, Reading Passage – The Mali Kingdom, Page 2, Para 1, Line 16-18West Africans exported gold, leather, ivory, pepper, iron, and eventually enslaved persons in exchange for salt, copper, linen, and horses.OFThe Muslim leaders of the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai Empires of West Africa were heavily involved in the slave trade following infiltration of Arab and North African Muslim slave traders. Together they captured black slaves and brought them to the West African coast and transported them across the Sahara desert to the North African coast.14-18 million Africans were sold into slavery as part of the Muslim slave trade between the 7th and early 20th century. According to Peter Hammond, the figure was closer to between 112 and 140 million. The mortality rate of those sent to the Middle East was 80% due to castration of males and transport through the desert. Baroness Caroline Cox and Dr. John Marks, This Immoral Trade – Slavery in the 21st Century, Monarch Books Oxford, UK, 2006, p. 124Peter Hammond, Slavery, Terror and Islam, 2010, Maitland, FL Xulon Press, p. 2.80% of all black African enslaved and exported from the continent passed through the hands of Muslims. K.S. Lal, Theory and Practice of Muslim State in India (“Lal, Muslim State”), Aditya Prakashan (New Delhi, 1999), pp.176-177.10.1 Explore 6, Reading Passage – European Slave Trade, Page 1, Para 1, Lines 3-7We know there was slavery in Africa before Europeans arrived, but it was the arrival of Europeans that marked the first time enslaved people were traded to other countries. FE, BThis is not only factually incorrect, it is further evidence of the text’s ignoring Islam’s involvement in the African slave trade. Also, Africa is a continent, not a country. (See review immediately above)Long before the European West African slave trade, Muslim traders began enslaving North and East Africans in 700 AD and exporting them to Middle East countries and nations along the Indian Ocean. The Muslim slave trade continued to the 20th century.Bethwell A. Ogot, Zamani: A Survey of East African History, (East African Publishing House: 1974), p.104F.R.C. Bagley et al., The Last Great Muslim Empires, (Leiden, Brill Publishing, 1997), p.17410.1 Explore 6, Reading Passage – European Slave Trade, Page 1, Para 1The slave trade grew until eventually over 15 million enslaved Africans left the continent.FE15 million is only the European slave trade. Why does the text only talk about the European slave trade?10.1 Explore 6, Reading Passage – European Slave Trade, Page 1, Para 2, Lines 15However, slavery in Africa was different than it was in the colonies. Enslaved people did not only toil in the fields, working under the sun. Occasionally, enslaved people also filled more important jobs in society.OF, SThis is misleading and slanted to distinguish the colonial slave trade as more toilsome and cruel than the African slavery. There were other forms of less cruel slavery – domestic servitude, debt bondage slavery, and military slavery. However, the vast majority of African slaves were sold into chattel slavery.No mention is made of the distinction of the Arab slave trade to the Middle East and Indian Ocean. They enslaved not just blacks, but also Christian Europeans and other races in North Africa or captured by Barbary corsairs of the Ottoman Empire. 10.1 Explore 6, Reading Passage – European Slave Trade, Page 2, Para 3Most of the people enslaved were from the western shores of Africa.HT, OFMost slaves headed to the Western Hemisphere came from the western shores of Africa. Completely ignored is the East and North African Muslim slave trade, which was significantly larger. (See previous reviews.)10.1 Explore 6, Reading Passage – European Slave Trade, Page 3, Para 3, Lines 3-5A religious group known for its public criticism of slavery was the Quakers, a Christian sect that believes all people can have access to God. Most Christians and Muslims did little to stop the slave trade until much later.OFIt is true that both Christians and Muslims were involved in the African slave trade, but 80% of African slaves went through Muslim traders working in Africa. (See previous reviews) The Qur’an, Hadith and Sira fully permit and endorse slavery on non-Muslims including – unlimited sex slaves taken as prisoners of war (Surah 33:50, 23:5-6, 70:29-30), slave trading for profit and paying off debt (Surah 4:24, Bukhari 41:598), brutal punishment of slaves (Ibn Isaq 734, Abu Dawud 1:142 and 38:4458), breeding slaves for fitness (Surah 24:32), devalued nature of slaves compared to Muslims (Surah 7:178, 5:89, 16:75). A slave’s conversion to Islam did not guaranteed their freedom (Surah 4:92).Muhammed fully endorsed human slavery by example. The Prophet Muhammad was a slave owner and trader, including numerous sex slaves (Bukhari 34:351 and 72:734, Muslim 3901, Ibn Ishaq 693). His preaching pulpit was built with slave labor at his command (Bukhari 47:743K.S. Lal, Muslim Slave System in Medieval India (“Lal, Muslim Slave System”), Aditya Prakashan (New Delhi, 1994, pp.176-177.The Quakers, as well as other Christian denominations, were the primary groups that initiated the abolition of slavery in the British Empire and United States ending 300 years of slave trade in the Western Hemisphere.Wilson, Thomas, The Oglethorpe Plan, Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia Press, 2012, pp 201-206.10.1 Explore 7, Para 2, Lines 3-7These ideas of racial superiority and race-based slavery were developed by Europeans. To many African traders, the Europeans were simply a new market for the slave trade. However, the European model of race-based, permanent slavery would have enormous consequences in Africa and the Americas.OF, SThere is no mention of the 7th century Arab model of race-based, permanent chattel slavery and its impact on Africa. They also considered blacks as inferior and particularly well-suited for slavery. Muhammed called Blacks “raisin heads” (Bukhari Vol 9, No. 256). The Arabic word for a Black person is abed which means slave.Murray Gordon, Slavery in the Arab World, (New York: New Amsterdam, 1989), p. 52-53); Ibn Khaldun (died 1406), The Muqaddimah – An Introduction to History, transl. Franz Rosenthal, Princeton University Press (Princeton, NJ and Oxford, UK, 2005), p.117. Evaluation of Social Studies Skills and other important issuesAn evaluation of the teaching & learning devices and/or materials provided to the student.NumberQuestionsYesNo1Is the appropriate vocabulary relevant to the subject matter presented to students?For example, on comparative government are terms such as monarchy, oligarchy, democracy, socialism, fascism, and communism presented?XSee comments on videos2Are the captions under pictures factual?X3Are the charts and graphs relevant to the topic being presented? Videos?There are multiple problems with videos.5Are questions thought provoking? Is adequate accurate material provided so that the students can formulate appropriate answers?6Are primary and secondary sources presented for students to examine (for bias, propaganda, point of view, and frame of reference)?* 7Does the text present a lesson on how to evaluate the validity of a source based on language, corroboration with other sources, and information about the author?8Does the textbook have a Glossary? Are key terms and personalities included and defined?9Does the textbook have accurate timelines to help the student understand chronological historical developments?Chronology is often confusing in Chapter 2.10Does the textbook have an Index which includes all of the key words, historical time periods and individuals? 11Does the textbook devote a similar number of pages to each of the world religions, philosophies, political and religious leaders? Commendations:Chapter 7 on Early Americas was noteworthy for its lack of bias. However, much of the content was repeated in the chapter. Concerns:The scope of the Discovery Medieval and Early Modern World History covers two periods of major political expansion (i.e., imperialism) by Muslims and by Europeans. When Muslims were expanding their political hegemony, the text uses such benign terms as “tolerated” (3.3 Explore 9), “lead to golden age” (3.3 Explore 9), “chivalry, cleanliness in personal hygiene”(3.3 Explore 13) “inspired” (4.1 Explore 3), “drawn to the power and beauty” (4.1 Explore 2 Reading), “marched peacefully” (4.1 Explore 5); “Muslim armies did not always [kill and enslave conquered people]” (4.2 Explore 3), “rarely forced non-Muslims to convert to or join Islam” (4.2 Explore 5), “Saladin showed mercy on those he conquered” (4.2 Explore 7 Reading), “Muslims avoided religious-based conflicts” (4.2 Evaluate), “Muhammad and his followers shared Islam” (4.3 Explore 2), ”[Hindus] were drawn to Islam” (4.3 Explore 4), “Islamic rulers began to extend their territory” (4.3 Explore 4), “[Islam’s] message of unity and justice” (4.3 Explore 5 Reading), “[Akbar] was noted for his fairness to non-Muslims” (4.3 Explore 6).European political expansion, on the other hand, was described in quite different terms, such as “tortured and burnt at the stake”(3.3 Explore 9), “caused bitter feelings”(3.3 Explore 13), “brutal savagery” 3.3 Explore 13 Video), “Crusades were a violent series of campaigns” (4.2 Explore 7), “Crusaders, who slaughtered the people of Jerusalem” (4.2 Explore 7 Reading), “the Columbian Exchange had a long-lasting negative impact” (7.3 Explore 6 Reading), “conquistadors (Spanish invaders) destroyed religious temples, killed those who refused to convert to Christianity, and forced natives into slavery” (7.3 Explore 6 Reading), “[Europeans] turned to the African slave trade” (7.3 Explore 6 Reading), “Europeans . . .began capturing Africans for the slave trade” (8.3 Explore 6 Reading), “arrival of Europeans that marked the first time enslaved people were traded to other countries” (10.1 Explore 6 Reading), “ideas of racial superiority and race-based slavery were developed by Europeans” (10.1 Explore 7).Not only are many of these biased statements factually incorrect, but they indicate a systemic anti-European (anti-Western) editorial slant throughout the text. Students should be spared this political posturing.Evaluations based on templateChoicesExplanationsYesNo1This text has minor changes that need to be made2This text has a moderate number of changes3This text has substantial changes that need to be made4This book is so flawed that it is not recommended for adoption.XChapter 4 is unacceptable as it is currently written ................
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