Scientific and Cultural Scientific and Cultural Contributions would Contributions would
help Muslims to help Muslims to I.M.P.R.O.V.E. I.M.P.R.O.V.E.
knowledgeknowledgeContributions of Islamic Contributions of Islamic
CivlizationCivlization
Inclusion of Arabic alphabet in Muslim culture
• Arabic Alphabet spreads with the religion and gives many people a common language.
http://www.ursispaltenstein.ch/blog//images/uploads_1/art_of_the_arabic_book.jpg
Mathematics like Arabic Numerals (from India) and
Algebra• Muslims
developed the concept of zero.
Practice of modern medicine
• Muslim medicine was about 500 years ahead of Europe.
• Doctors had developed theories about germs and their understanding of anatomy was very accurate.
http://www.unc.edu/student/orgs/cams/bringithome/bih.jpg
Return to ancient texts that are translated into
Arabic• Muslim scribes
translated many ancient texts that Christians did not value.
• Many say this helped to spark the Renaissance in Europe.
http://www.rqad.leeds.ac.uk/Photos/paper.jpg
Oh those universities!!
• First universities are in the Middle East.
University of Al Karaouine is the oldest university (859)
Al-Azhar University, Egypt
Very beautiful architecture (Dome of the Rock) and
mosaics• Understanding of
mathematics helped lead to beautiful architecture.
• Since images of Muhammad and Allah were forbidden, they decorated with geometric shapes.
Expansion of geographical knowledge
• Geographers learned about climate patterns and location.
http://static.flickr.com/38/124275488_4e02e1686e.jpg
Reflection
• Which contribution of Muslim culture do you think will be most valuable to Europeans in later years?