“For years, we have had to put up with dirty looks and threatening remarks,” “I’ve been asked to go back home (even though I am home).” Described is a quote by a Muslim woman, Taslima Amar, about what happen in her homeland of France in a recent New York Times article describing the disturbing reality of Muslim women in Europe. This brings to question, why or the headscarf such a contest piece of clothing? For a question that women still deal with in present day we can refer back to history and the interaction between Islam and Europe that formed the idea, beliefs and viewpoints of people towards each other.

Throughout the semester and still leading up to the end of the course we have examined many various thought-provoking different pieces that all have a common denominator of religion and difference. To vaguely answer the question, “Why is the headscarf such a contested piece of clothing?” we can answer that because it is deeply engrained in European history that Muslims are fundamentally different, almost as if they are completely different “other” beings, much of what they do is under great scrutiny and the headscarf is by no mean an attempt to assimilate or integrate into European culture. Chapter 3 of Politics of the Veil is entirely about secularism, or becoming worldly. Because “worldly people” do not wear headscarf, this is a clear sign that the Muslim women who wear these are by no means attempting to assimilate to French or European customs, but rather stick out purposely in society. To continue with that and the imperialism that took place in French history, it is evident that French feel as though they are superior to certain neighboring countries, especially those who are of Muslim in religion. After all, it was the French who had to civilize these savages in the colonization of the early 1900s, right?

Assimilation, integration, insertion, and acculturation are all terms that French leaders have used to describe the process by which Algerians and other Muslim immigrants have been received in post-colonial France. While each term sounds similar they are unique in the sense that they have very different ramifications. For example, assimilation is the process by which a person or persons acquire the social and psychological characteristics of a group. An example of this could be the French forcing their lifestyle upon nearly everyone who was not French, especially the colonies. Integration could be defined as “to bring (people or groups with particular characteristics or needs) into equal participation in or membership of a social group or institution.” An example of this could be regrouping in The Shantytown Kid. Insertion is the action of inserting something. An example of this could be similar to those of assimilation but in a more direct sense; the French imposing their own ideas, beliefs and customs upon Lyons while they attempted to maintain independence. And lastly, acculturation is “cultural modification of an individual, group, or people by adapting to or borrowing traits from another culture; also: a merging of cultures as a result of prolonged contact.” An example of acculturation is Azouz Begag entrance into the French educational system, and does very well in addition.

After World War II the French were thought of to have this “melting pot” characteristic, attempting to mix and unify many different regions and cultures under the umbrella of France and French culture. Those in this melting pot included then-France’s colonies with many Muslim inhabitants. Of the terms French leaders coined in the French-Muslim immigration era, a clear example of integration in The Shantytown Kid includes the process of re-grouping. Regrouping was a process that families of Algeria would unite on French soil after they were integrated into society under the twelve thousand Algerian quota. We can see here that Algerians are forced to integrate into French society and with that they were inserted into their new roles. Hence, insertion takes place. Also, another example of assimilation includes the work that Azouz’s father would do in the construction industry under the Evian Accords. Azouz’s father would wake up at five o’clock in the morning day after day only to partake in grueling labor for an unfair wage. While this was a very common practice with immigration to America in the late 1900s as well, the immigrants were forced to assimilate into the culture.

Dear Sir,

It has come to my attention that you have been tasked with overseeing our (France) newest feat, Algeria. I will provide you with some rather insightful information that I recommend you take into consideration during your new assignment.

With regards to a social policy enforced throughout all of Algiers, you must be sure to enforce and maintain control over gender segregation. This is rooted back the Muslim religion and tradition of Algiers’s inhabitants which governs lifestyle. Different areas are designated for different genders: the public and streets are predominantly for men while domestic places will generally be where women spend their days. Again, this is mainly due to the city’s religious influence and it is imperative that you maintain this order as well as all other religious traditions to deflect uneasiness within the city. Be sure to uphold these societal norms while you began thinking about your new position.

While maintaining these norms in the beginning will be a good idea, it would be a good idea to begin thinking about Westernizing the city when rebuilding efforts and growth occur. As I am sure you already know, Algeria was previously controlled by the Ottoman Empire, leaving the large Islamic influence and lifestyle that still remains present. Gradual Westernization in an attempt to civilize inhabitants may be a more effective and less costly approach than a massive rebuild when it is not necessary. Noted, you will come across and learn very much about the Islamic faith while transitioning into your new role.

To conclude, we will briefly talk about the Casbah and Marine Quarter, you must not be intimidated by the hearsay of mystery related to this area. The majority of this mystery is rooted back to some things already discussed and in general, cultural differences. Specifically, for Marine Quarter you will be sure to make security a priority in this area as it is an area with high concentration of critical diplomats, officials, and secretaries mainly in part to its advantageous location to the harbor. In an attempt to promote a more robust economy you may want to concentrate your efforts here. Then, gradually spreading throughout the region. As you begin your new role with the French government I wish you the best of luck. I am completely confident that you are capable of doing a fantastic job here in Algiers, otherwise you would not have been asked to take on this important project in the westernization and civilizing of Algeria.

-Dahmane

“Tis hardly possible to see a more agreeable landscape. The city itself is very large and extremely populous. Here are hot baths, very famous for their medicinal virtues.” (56)

The author is describing her arrival in the city of Sofia. A very popular activity of this era, locals would go to “hot baths”, something equivalent to a modern day spa with things like a sauna used for cleansing purposes.

“But this climate, as happy as it seems, can never be preferred to England with all its snows and frosts, while we are blessed with an easy government under a king who makes his own happiness consist in the liberty of his people and chooses rather to be looked upon as their father than their master.” (57)

This quote pertains specially to mean reflecting the differences in government between that of England and Ottoman area. The government was extremely authoritative and wish to controlled nearly all aspects of life for its citizens, restricting the abilities of men (and women).

“The government here is entirely in the hands of the arms and Grand Signor with all his absolute power as much a slave as any of his subjects, and trembles at a Janissary frown”

Yet again, the author points out how the government is extremely controlling and rules with an iron fist, playing to the likes of ego driven men.

“’Tis very easy to see they have more liberty than we have, no woman, of what rank so ever being permitted to go in the streets without two Muslims, one that covers her face all but her eyes and another that hides the whole dress of her head, and hang half way down her back and their shapes are also wholly concealed by a thing they call a ferace with no woman of any sort appears without.”(71)

The above quotation reflects something still relevant today; the women were not permitted to show anything besides their eyes in public, which plays into the stereotype for women of this time.

“They are most of them Greeks and have little houses in the midst of their gardens, where their wives and daughters take a liberty not permitted in the town; I mean to go unveiled.”(74)

Here in this letter the women are allowed, taking their veils off their fave and revealing more than their eyes. In an earlier passage we see how women are NOT allowed to show their skin. Now, we see where the women actually did unveil themselves.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/148061870@N03/albums/72157671713882223

Art of the Arab Lands

https://www.flickr.com/photos/148061870@N03/albums/72157675110035486

Jerusalem

Your journey to the Near East is going to be risky. However, the rewards are substantial. Be prepared for experiencing firsthand two neighboring cultures colliding head on. The colliding differences are likely to hinder your ambitions, but do not be discouraged as it is possible to partake in profitable business in this area. Beware of the differences between Muslims and Christians during your travels. Please see below for the details to follow which may be helpful in your travels eastbound in anticipation of dealing with the Ottomans.

Key Summarized Points that should be followed or experienced if applicable:

• Turkish males have a dress code – Turban, sash, boots and a sword or knife. Be sure to take note of this.
• Women also have a dress code too; they must cover themselves with veils. Do not be alarmed and try your best to act natural when you see this.
• There is a major difference in weather that makes people live longer than those back in Venice. Hey, maybe you will wind up staying in the Ottoman East in your old age!
• Unlike Venice, the Ottomans have access to delicious fresh fruits. Indulge in these and enjoy. If there is an opportunity to earn profits on fruits by all means take advantage of the opportunity.
• The Sultan is in command. With that, the pashas are loyal and second in command to Sultan. Be sure to abide by the local regulations and laws otherwise you will run into a great deal of trouble.

Briefly highlighted above are some general key points which you will notice upon your arrival and exploration of the Ottoman East. Be prepared to meet people from all walks of life in Ottoman city as it is economically booming.  Locals will include, but are not limited to fisherman, soldiers, scholars, handicraftsmen and soldier. This is where you will achieve your business aspirations. Seeing people who do not resemble your ethnic background is by no means a big deal; do not make a fuss over this. Locals know it is more common for Christian merchants to attempt to conduct business with Ottomans than it is for an Ottoman to seek out business with Christian Europeans. My good friend, the merchant of Venice – you’re not in Venice, anymore. With that, you will notice from your surroundings that Ottoman city is very powerful in terms of military.

Carrying on with this idea of military power, Ottoman government operates a bit different than the European republic-style governments that you are accustomed to seeing at home. All of the judicial rulings are ruled directly under the authority of the Sultan or his local subordinate and with the Sultan’s judgement. Noted, rulings are based entirely on the discretion of the Sultan or these other authorized authoritative figures which means rulings can be inconsistent. My friend, avoid any legal trouble at all costs as business and trade will be the least of your worries I promise you. Noted, the rulings are actually well maintained so you have that on your side.

I would go so far to argue that the biggest difference you will see in Ottoman East is the presence of their religion. Everywhere you will see mosques; this is a Muslim place of worship. Distinct in their architecture you will know a mosque when you see a mosque. Look up in the sky and see large domes on top of magnificent structures – you guessed it, that’s a mosque. Five times daily streets be prepared to hear Islamic prayers bouncing off the walls in every street of the city from local leaders of worship, or Imam. This is not terribly different from Christianity in Venice except you are a foreign so this may seem odd to you. Just as you have your own ideas and beliefs and other Venetians, so to the Ottomans.

In summary, if you take the preceding writings into consideration you will thrive in the Near East. With careful action, thought, and adherence and acceptance of local laws and customary beliefs you will find yourself to enjoy the East rather much. Be well, good luck, and enjoy the fruit.

HIS3360 Blog #3 Part One:

Jerusalem Exhibit

My exploration of the Jerusalem exhibit was very interesting to say the least. As I walked through I examined many different remnants tracing back to religion, trade and war. Without question my favorite piece was the Chasse of Ambazae. This was a breathtaking chest constructed of gold decorated with dazzling precious stones with traces back to the eastern Mediterranean area. With traces to warfare it was interesting to see a Christian sword compared directly next to an Islamic sword. We know how both of these religions intermingled in good ways and bad shaping Eastern Europe’s history.

Art of the Arab Lands Exhibit

During my walk through of the Art of the Arab Lands exhibit and accompanying sections I couldn’t help but feel there was a massive amount of textiles, whether it be carpets, drapes or the like. There was a large room that displayed an enormous carpet on the floor. These textiles with beautiful designs highlight the merchant emphasis placed on these regions as it is likely these regions traded textiles heavily. My favorite piece in the exhibit included an invention that the tour guide explained “… Is exactly what you use on the Fourth of July.” The eastern Europeans had barbeques. Also, these devices were used to keep warm in the colder conditions faced.

Blog Assignment #1

In Neighboring Faiths, David Nirenburg discusses in detail the interactions among Christianity, Judaism and Islam in Europe during the Middle Ages. While Europe is in fact a geographic location that can be pointed out on a map, it is argued that “being European” goes a bit further than merely dwelling within its borders. Arising in the Middle Ages and still existing today, being European has more to do with religion.

With Islamic followers expanding more and more west through trade, commerce, and military power from the Arabian Peninsula, Christians knew something needed to be done. Christians viewed anyone who was not Christian as a follower of the Antichrist. Thus, an enemy. The followers of Christendom could not wrap their heads around how these God-less barbarians were achieving so much prosperity. The answers Christians narrowed this down to is that the Islamic followers were favored by God or an angry Gods was punishing themselves and reclaiming the support of God was necessary.

In 1095, Pope Urban II received an urgent plea for help from the Byzantine emperor to help fend off the invading Seljuk’s, he saw this as a great opportunity for the Church. With this, Urban would now be able to spread the Christian Empire socially, geographically and economically. In his rallying speeches to unify Christian Europe in the First Crusade he said, in reference of this mission, “All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have immediate remission of sins.” (Rodriguez, P.57) We can see here the illustration of Urban making this a classic “Us against Them” kind of conflict. Another similar quotation to rally the spirits of his religious warriors we see bishops and priests urging soldiers “Be strong in the faith of Christ, and fear not those who persecute you, as the Lord said, ‘Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul’” (Rodriguez, P. 60) It is not by accident that from result of the Crusades includes an increase in power of the pope and his empire. Nirenburg writes the crusades can be understood as “God’s war for the expansion of Christendom. In the provided image from Artstor we see a map that illustrates where the Crusades expanded too, which, in fact, is present day Europe and Middle East. Christians are also led to believe that their current borders are way too narrow for the “great empire” where they currently dwell.

If people have coexisted on the outside of Christian borders prior to the crusades, why all of a sudden did the First Crusade take place? To reiterate the idea, it mainly came down to religion. It is the separation of religion as Christian vs. Non-Christian that I believe we can really see how Europe gained its identity. For an American today, when one thinks of Islam or Muslim, the first thing that comes to mind is more than likely Middle East. When Christianity is brought to mind, probably things such as the Vatican (Rome, which we can see existed during the Middle Ages) and the pope are more or less the thing that come to mind. Stretching from the Middle Ages to present day, Nirenburg provides an interesting read on the connection of perception that formed this idea of Europe.

References:

Peace4universe. “The Crusades Crescent and the Cross. Pt 1 of 2 [Full Documentary] – YouTube.flv.” YouTube. YouTube, 08 Oct. 2011. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.

Rodriguez, Jarbel. Muslim and Christian Contact in the Middle Ages: A Reader. Toronto: U of Toronto, 2015. Print.

Map of the Crusades in the Holy Land; Europe in 1270. N.d. Map of the Crusades in the Holy Land; Europe in 1270. N.p.: Musée Du Quai Branly, n.d. N. pag. Artstor. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.

http://prezi.com/3xo0wrkqkx4y/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

In addition to my presentation, I would like to provide more details into the reasoning and significance behind the key points I chose to talk about after read Silverstein’s introduction.

1. Caliphs and caliphates
   1. Following Muhammad, the caliphs were the leaders that chose the direction, metaphorically and literally, of the followers of Muhammad. It is under the thumb of caliphs that Islamic history ran its course.
2. Arabic language
   1. Arabic language was the language in which the Qur’an was written.
3. Geography – location
   1. I believe it is important to know about the geography of an occurrence to understand the context much more. For example, knowing the geography of where Islamic history took place can help create a tie to the true significance of camels. Without the camel, it would’ve been impossible to travel across any desert.
4. Muhammad
   1. Drawing a parallel with Christianity for a moment – The way Christianity is linked to Jesus of Nazareth, Islam is linked directly to Muhammad. He was the “Prophet of Allah” and the way in which Allah revealed himself to society. He is arguably the most important figure in Islamic beliefs.
5. Qur’an
   1. The Qur’an serves as the prayer book for Islam. Showcasing its relevancy today, Islamic followers still study and pray from this religious scripture. Also, the Qur’an also has a tie directly to Muhammad. Thus, it would be negligent to not share the significance of the Qur’an to someone who wants to learn about the religion.
6. Mecca and the Hajj
   1. This is a tradition that could be traced all the way back to Muhammad. This is relevant because people in the world today still take Hajjes to Mecca from all over the world.
7. Faith and Mosques
   1. When Islam would travel and takeover a new geographic region or city, they would build a mosque in the city. This impressive structure would: 1. Signify that the Islam now control the location and 2. The prestige of the structure would attract new followers.
8. Turkish slave soldiers
   1. The question of ‘Who fought in these wars?’ needs to be answered. It is interesting because the Turkish slave soldiers eventually rose to have their own caliph.
9. Sunni & Shiite Islam
   1. We see the significance of just how important caliphates truly were along with how sub-groups within Islam were formed.
10. Dynasty Rule of Islam
    1. I feel as though this is an important point to bring up considering Islamic history can be followed and studied in the categories of dynasties.
11. Conflict with Judea-Christians
    1. This is arguably a relevant topic in today’s world still. However, this can have a direct correlation of Islamic expansion and contraction (Example: Crusades).
12. Camels
    1. Much how history will have talk of shipbuilding, airplanes, automobile technology, etc. the question of transportation needs to be answered.
13. Trade
    1. Trade was a significant topic because it was a vehicle in which cultural diffusion occurred and Islamic ideas, beliefs and customers were spread.
14. Jihad
    1. I chose this topic because it is a misunderstood topic that is relevant in today’s world.
15. Taxes
    1. This answers the questions as to who actually funded much of the feats Muhammad and his followers sought after.