| East Africa continue |
| The Rise and Spread of Islam in North and East Africa |
| Islam means "to surrender" to the will of the god, Allah; a world religion based on the faith written in the Koran; founded by the prophet Mohammed; adherents to Islam are known as Muslims; fundamental doctrine: "Allah is the only God, and Mohammed is his prophet." |
| Islam started in the Saudi Arabian peninsula and was founded by the prophet Mohammed (A.D. 571-632). After undergoing a mystical experience in Mecca, Mohammed began to preach and teach his newly acquired faith. Islam was started on July 16,622. This date signifies the flight of Mohammed from Mecca to Medina, known as the "Hegire." This date marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. After Mohammed's flight to Medina, he became the religious and political leader of his followers. By the time of his death in A.D. 632, Mohammed had united most of the Arabian peninsula under his new faith. The goal of Mohammed's successors was conquest and the conversion to Islam of the entire world. The first phase of expansion happened right after Mohammed's death. During this time (632-661), Islam spread throughout Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and east to India, having conquered the Persian Empire. In the next phase (661-750), Muslim expansion went into North Africa, then under Byzantine rule, and from there crossed into Spain. By 750, Islam had reached as far west as Spain and as far east as India. Islam extablished political stability and economic recovery throughout the conquered territories, including North Africa, and laid the groundwork for a prosperous civilization. Islamic civilization was a literate, wealth, and urban civilization. As the Muslims expanded, they assumed local fashion and adapted to local ways. This was one of the reasons why Islamic civilizaiotn became so successful. After 950, political disintegration of the Islamic civilization led to the establishment of several independent political units, such as the Fatimid Dynasty in Egypt, North Africa, Syria, and Arabia (969-1171). The followers of this dynasty became known as Shiites, a sect within the Islam faith. In western North Africa, several Berber Kingdoms arose. The first was the Almoravid Kingdom, followed by the Almohad Kingdom. Despite political disintegration after 950, a major change occurred: Islam superseded Christianity in this area. It was Islamic North Africa that was to greatly influence AFrica south of the Sahara. With the arrival of Islam, the trans-Saharan trade routes were reopened, and new trade routes emerged. Arab Muslim merchants traded far and wide. They established themselves on the coast of the Indian Ocean, as far as India, China, and East Africa. In North Africa, the Berbers, who had adopted the Islamic faith, once more became the demand and included gold, ivory, iron, and slaves. |