All Questions
Tagged with middle-east islam
18 questions
0
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1
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What were the main components in the Rise of Sunni Islam in the Middle East during the 20th century? [closed]
I am struggling to find articles regarding the rise of Sunni Islam in the Middle East during the 20th century. Frankly, it is most likely because that is a very broad subject. That is why I would like ...
- 16
15
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6
answers
9k
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Why did the Ottomans not change their capital to an Arab city?
As of 1517 A.D., the Ottmans have acquired the whole Levant, Egypt and they've largely become Muslim. Why they did not move their capital to a historically Islamic city like Damascus, Baghdad, or ...
- 345
12
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4
answers
8k
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What historical evidence do we have for the existence of Mohammed?
I have been listening to a podcast, called "The History of Byzantium" and in one of the episodes there was a discussion about the lack of reference to Mohammad or Qur'an in the century after ...
- 1
3
votes
1
answer
181
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Did the Buyids emerge as allies of the Abbasid Caliphate?
The Buyid dynasty were Shia sympathizers. However, I might have read somewhere that the Buyids came to power as allies of the Abbasids. This would have been as an anti Tabaristan or anti Ziyarid ...
- 23k
18
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2
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3k
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Did Muslims swear by "the beard of the Prophet"?
In Western historical fictions, Muslims (from the Middle East) are often depicted to swear by "the beard of the Prophet".
"By the beard of the prophet, we will not offend you; but ...
CommunityBot
- 1
17
votes
1
answer
504
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Language used on a dagger hilt, supposedly of Persian provenance, ca. 1700-1750
Could anyone guess what language is used in the sign made on this dagger hilt, supposedly of Persian provenance, and dated approx. 1700-1750?
A fellow translator asked if I knew, and naturally I ...
- 97.6k
3
votes
3
answers
1k
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Why is there an Islamic revolution in Iran?
If Zoroastrianism is so strong in Iran, why was there an Islamic revolution? Why is it proclaimed as the Islamic Republic of Iran?
MCW♦
- 34k
26
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9
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3k
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Why did Jews not immigrate to the Muslim world?
Throughout most of history, Jews lived significantly better in the Muslim countries than in Christian ones. Moreover, after the expulsion from Spain, many Spanish Jews moved to the Muslim world (from ...
CommunityBot
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12
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4
answers
8k
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Why did Christianity disappear in North-Western Africa?
During Roman times North-Western Africa had a thriving Christian community, giving birth to Saint Augustine and a long lasting heresy. This is similar to many Christian communities of the time, from ...
- 3,801
15
votes
1
answer
1k
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How did Saudi Arabia become and remain strongly Wahhabi?
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia staunchly follow Wahhabism, a very conservative and strict brand of Islamism that probably is the major factor of Saudi's strict policy and harsh implementation of Sharia. ...
- 27k
14
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4
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3k
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Military training in the Hijaz during early Islamic era
The expansion of the Islamic rule during early Islamic era was quite impressive. Before 629, Muhammad's rule was limited to one city Medina. 15 years later, at the end of Umar's rule, the Caliphate ...
MCW♦
- 34k
7
votes
1
answer
2k
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Primary sources from Umayyad times
Background
Most narratives about the events during the Umayyad rule come from sources that were compiled during the succeeding Abbasid rule. Since the Abbasids came to power through armed ...
CommunityBot
- 1
7
votes
1
answer
559
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Why did the Byzantines not try to recover Syria during the war between Ali and Muawiya?
After the Caliph Othman get killed there was period of instability in the Islamic state for more than five years, and Syria was just taken by Muslims before around twenty years.
Why did the ...
- 7,275
9
votes
2
answers
448
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Pre-Islamic cultural inheritance in contemporary Iran
In contemporary Iran, what are the effect of pre-Islamic Persian cultural heritage that are not linked to Islamic culture, religion and literature?
In a previous question, I asked about ...
CommunityBot
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7
votes
1
answer
1k
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Any history to the current flag used by ISIL? [closed]
I know the current flag used by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is black with white letters stating: "There is no God but Allah" and in the middle of a white circle in black letters ...
- 1,499
4
votes
2
answers
248
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Is there a correlation between modern Middle East uprisings/wars and Ramadan?
One cannot help but notice that the current shelling of Israel by Hamas has started in the month of Ramadan. So did the war of 1973 and a few other troubles. Is this just a coincidence, or is there ...
- 9,694
1
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2
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661
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What historical evidence do we have for the Prophet Muhammed? [closed]
In the Sahih-Bukhari, a generally accepted collection of the times and sayings of the Prophet, there are a number of reports of contacts with other nations & empires; for example:
Allah's ...
- 2,610
9
votes
1
answer
624
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What was the response of the general Iranian public to the modernization policies of Reza Shah?
I have been reading the fascinating study on Iran by Nikki R. Keddie, "Modern Iran: Roots and Results of Revolution", Yale University Press, 2006. In it she outlines the dramatic modernizing policy ...
- 5,795