The Sudden Focus On "Cordoba" And The Danger To The United States

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1 The Sudden Focus On "Cordoba" And The Danger To The United States By Dr. Gary M. Gulan, 2006 Introduction: Just recently I read an article about an organization called "Cordoba." This organization invited Senators and Congressmen to special meetings trying to stir-up interest in changing the "Constitution of the United States" to the political and legal system of the golden era of "Cordoba" Spain. Why? Because of several recent events: (1.) the discontent with President George W. Bush, (2.) The narrow viewpoints of Christianity in our country, (3.) The support of Israel by the United States; (4.) The negative viewpoints within the US toward Muslims, (5.) The disintegration of US culture, (6.) The dislike of illegal immigrants, and (7.) the failed foreign policy of our government as seen in the handling of Iraq. What is "Cordoba" and should I be concerned about it? "THE CORDOBA FOUNDATION" (Great Britain) Founded in 2005, The Cordoba Foundation (TCF) is an independent Public Relations, Research and Training unit, which promotes dialogue and the culture of peaceful and positive coexistence among civilizations, ideas and people. Engaging with decision-making circles, practitioners, researchers, the media and a host of other stakeholders of society, TCF is committed to better understanding and clearer comprehension of inter-communal and inter-religious issues in Britain, across Europe and beyond. Explaining the objectives of TCF, Mr. Anas Altikriti, Chief Executive and founder said: "in light of recent events, some have pushed the argument of the impossibility of a peaceful and constructive co-existence between the West and the Muslim World. However, not so long-ago, we experienced what was arguably one of the most splendid examples of unprecedented human advancement where communities of diverse religions, ideas and cultures not only co-existed, but also excelled in all walks of life. The civilization which emerged from Cordoba, is not unique in itself, but is also a beacon of hope for all of us in these difficult and trying times". The Cordoba Foundation (TCF) held its first public seminar on July 7, 2006, exactly one year from the tragic London bombings, at the illustrious Islam Expo event at Alexandra Palace in London. Key people involved with the first seminar of TFC: Professor Tariq Ramadan, Professor John Esposito, and former Iraq hostage and Christian peace-maker, Dr. Norman Kember. With the objectives of (1.) promoting the process of dialogue, (2.) providing unique insights of potential interaction and exchange between cultures, ideologies and intellects as well as (3.) training a new crop of specialists in the various fields of concern. TCF hopes to work hand-inhand with other organizations and centers to promote better appreciation and understanding of 'the other.' 1 "THE CORDOBA INITIATIVE" (United States of America)

2 The Cordoba Initiative (TCI), founded in 2002, by Sufi Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf who is an Imam at a New York City mosque, is a multi-faith organization whose objective is to heal the relationship between the Islamic World and America. Working through civil dialogue, policy initiatives, education, and cultural programs, the Initiative focuses on thought, action and outcomes. Its philosophy: (1.) Through partnering with Jewish, Christian and Muslim organizations as well as secular institutions and foundations, the Cordoba Initiative is building a broad multi-faith coalition to help repair the damage that has been done to Muslim-American relationships over the last fifty years; (2.) The initiative invites American Muslims to play a leadership role in mediating between the Muslim world and America; and (3.) It plans educational and cultural programs, off-the-record international dialogues between leaders, communications initiatives, and 'difficult' interfaith conversations, all aimed at building understanding and peace, both at home and abroad." 2 Its goals include: (1.) Increasing inter-cultural understanding, tolerance and respect, both in Muslim societies and in the West; (2.) Improving the nature of the discourse about Islam in America and about America in the Muslim world, (3.) Stimulating fresh thinking about peace in the Middle East, and (4.) Addressing the root causes of international terrorism and helping to prevent the horrors of another September 11. The uniqueness and needs for the Cordoba Initiative are simple. International terrorism remains a substantial global threat. Respect for the United States in the Middle East and even within Europe lingers at historic lows. Meanwhile, both anti-muslim bias and a new anti-semitism have grown in the West. National and international economies have been impacted substantially by the uncertainties and threats of war and terrorism. Whether or not one subscribes to the theory of a clash of civilizations, the world has become an increasingly insecure and dangerous place. The need for improved communication and understanding between the Islamic World and the United States is critical. The unique attributes of the Cordoba Initiative: (1.) Mainstream American Muslim leaders, working in partnership with Jewish and Christian leaders, play a central role in mediating the effort; (2.) The Initiative focuses on the underlying roots of cultural intolerance and violence, not merely the symptoms; (3.) To leverage the impact of its efforts, the initiative seeks to form strong partnerships with other non-profit institutions, such as the Aspen Institute, CLAL, the Chautauqua Institution, the East-West Institute, and the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA); (4) The Initiative employs a contemplative methodology, inviting spiritual leaders and scholars to join their secular counterparts in the quest for peace; (5) The Initiative is firmly multi-faith: no single religion's followers may hold a majority of voting seats on its board of directors. The distrust and animosity that plague the Islamic world's relationship with the United States represent today's greatest single threat to international security and the world's economy. While many excellent attempts have been made to improve relations between Islamic countries and the West and to further peace in the Middle East, rarely have politically moderate,

3 mainstream American Muslims helped initiate and lead a major multi-faith effort aimed at improving communication, increasing understanding and "waging peace." 3 WHY THE NAME "CORDOBA?" "For a brief while in medieval Spain, Muslims, Jews and Christians were able to live together in an atmosphere of cultural exchange. Now, the golden age of Cordoba is evoked as a symbol of the harmony that might be possible in the future." 4 For hundreds of years during the middle ages, "Cordoba" was the capital of Muslim Spain. The Cordoba Caliphate ruled much of today's Spain. Muslims believe this was the most enlightened, pluralistic, and tolerant society on earth. 5 During much of its "golden age" from the 8th to 12th centuries, the Cordoba Caliphate witnessed a great flowering of culture, art, and philosophical inquiry amid a remarkable climate of religious tolerance. Religious freedom, while not perfect, was sufficient that many Jewish and Christian intellectuals emigrated to Cordoba, where they lived, wrote and flourished side by side with their Muslim counterparts in a strikingly pluralistic society. The Cordoba name reminds both Muslims and non- Muslims that a great Islamic civilization was once the most open and tolerant of its era. 6 WHY THE ENCHANTMENT WITH "CORDOBA?" There are at least 5 factors, modern day Muslims imagine or embellish took place back in the days of "Cordoba." 1. Cordoba was a major "Caliphate" center in the west. Today, there is no "major" ruling center for the Islamic faith in the west. However, in the golden era of "Cordoba" there was. "Islamic militants moved into all the Christian lands of the Middle East, Iraq and Iran, into the Caucasus mountain regions and eventually India. They established eastern and western political centers (Caliphates) at Cordoba, Spain and Baghdad." 7 2. Cordoba was a model of cultural renaissance. "Cordoba experienced a cultural florescence, even though the Umayyad Caliphate in Spain eventually collapsed in 1010AD." (1.) Poetry, the Spanish renaissance was particularly famous for its poetry, which resembled that of the French troubadour courtly tradition." (2.) Philosophy, Hazan ( AD), and Faylasuf Abu al-walid Ahmad ibn Rushd ( AD) were very influential and intellectual luminaries. (3.) Justice and law, a system of independent courts and rulers with a loose national unity based on the egalitarian spirit of the Qur'an was developed. (4.) Art, a new form of art was emerging. (5.) Theology and spirituality, supposedly, these were not driven by political responses, historical circumstances, or by current events Cordoba was a model of religious liberty. Around 850AD in Cordoba, "Jews and Christians were allowed full religious liberty within the Islamic empire and most Spaniards were proud to belong to such an advanced culture, light years ahead of the rest of Europe. They were often called 'Mozarabs' or 'Arabisers." 9 4. Cordoba accepted free-thinking.

4 "In some parts of the empire there was a tradition of skepticism and free-thinking which was tolerated as long as it kept within the bounds of decency and was not too disrepectful." Cordoba experienced religious toleration of Jews, Christians and Muslims. "For the next 600 years members of the three religions of historical monotheism were able to live together in relative peace and harmony..." 11 WHY WAS THE GOLDEN AREA OF "CORDOBA" LIKE THIS? 1. This era marked a limit to the western expansion of Islam. Islam could not rule over the people like it did in countries to the east of Spain. 2. The Arabs felt no compulsion to conquer any more land in this area of Spain because there were few opportunities for trade and very little booty left to be had. The Muslims that were now in this area were forced to live a more common existence than the Muslims to the east of Spain. 3. At this time there was disunity between the tribal divisions of the Arab Muslims. Muslims were divided and not united in a common goal, as was the case for other countries to the east of Spain. 4. There was revolt and uprising in the already conquered lands of the Islamic rulers. Help for the advancement and domination of Islam in Spain from other groups of Muslims from the east was not possible. 5. It was better for Muslims to live in peace and allow for a future time when the influence and advancement of Islam in another day could take place. 12 THERE ARE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THIS "UTOPIAN" CONCEPT OF "CORDOBA." There are at least seven considerations that seem to challenge this Islamic "utopian" view of "Cordoba." 1. The people of Cordoba were a "conquered" people under Islam. The Umayyad dynasty ( AD) with Abd al-malik and his son Al-Walid, used Muslim armies to conquered the kingdom of Spain. Cordoba was not restructured under a tent of dialogue and treaty, but rather military absorption As the United States is a Christian nation which allows for religious freedoms as long as people support the principles on which the country was founded; Cordoba was under Islamic rule, which allowed for religious freedoms as long as those citizens supported the Muslim principles of Islam which Cordoba was using. 3. Muslims still placed pressure on Spanish Jews and Christians to become "Muslims" and many of them were referred to as "Mozarabs" or "Arabisers." Converts to Islam in Cordoba, though having some freedoms not availed in other Muslim countries, were still treated as second class citizens. 15

5 5. There wasn't total harmony between Muslims and non-muslims, some Muslim teaching was used against the Christians and they were given the death sentence. One summer fifty Christians were executed. Not all Christians enjoyed being "Arabized" and resisted the "Arabization of fellow Spaniards. This created small groups of "martyrs" who were loyal to Christ and rebelled against the Muslim rule Life was not great in Cordoba under Muslim rule for many Spaniards. There were many who wanted to change Cordoba and create a Latin renaissance which looked back with nostalgia to the Roman past of the country of Spain. They didn't like the "neutralizing influence of the dominate Muslim culture In fact the so called "golden era" of Cordoba, which was really golden for Muslims, was over turned, when the Christians had conducted a successful 'reconquista' of Muslim territory, taking back Cordoba in 1236AD and Seville in 1248AD. 18 Conclusion: Great Britain has not awoke to the crisis that surrounds it. Muslims have infiltrated the government and the culture to the point of dismantling the very core of its existence. The United States is a decade or maybe even a few years behind Great Britain. Those behind the organization of "Cordoba" want to help take Great Britain and the United States into the final steps of change of an "Islamized" form of existence. End Notes: Ibid., Pp ibid. 5 What's Right With Islam Is What's Right With America, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, San Francisco: Harper, 2005, Pp ibid. 7 Islam Rising, Jim Murk, Springfield: 21st Century Press, 2006, p Islam: A Short History, Karen Armstrong, Great Britian: Phoenix, 2000, Pp ; Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet, Karen Armstrong, Great Britain: Phoenix, 2001, Pp Muhammad, Armstrong, p Ibid., Pp Ibid., p Islam, Armstrong, Pp ibid., p Muhammad, p Islam Armstrong, p Muhammad, Armstrong, p ibid., p Islam, Armstrong, p. 90