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?