The Friday Times: There is a raging debate in Europe about Islam. Right-wing groups express their contempt of it as a “culture of backwardness, of retardedness, of barbarism” which has made no contribution to Western civilization. There is little doubt that given the condition of the Muslim world there are many examples that feed into images of Muslims beheading and killing people. No one is spared. Old, young, rich and poor, male and female, Muslim and non-Muslims are all victims.

As a Muslim scholar living in the West I am constantly asked to comment on this bleak image of Islam and ask myself is this an accurate depiction? Let us look at European history for answers.  The following 10 examples, among many more, will surprise you.

Muslims did not first arrive in Europe with the intention of conquering it

1.  Contrary to common belief, Muslims did not first arrive in Europe with the intention of conquering it. A small military contingent landed on the southern coast of Spain in 711 in response to the pleadings of the Jewish community which faced harsh persecution under the Visigoth rulers. The arrival of the Muslims and their victory prevented what New York University Professor David Levering Lewis terms “the final solution.” Christian leaders like Count Julian, whose daughter had been dishonored at court, had also been requesting Muslim intervention. It is precisely this reason, the support of large sections of local society, that allowed the Muslims to establish their domination over Al-Andalus with ease.

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